Coast Guard Rescues Distressed Sea Turtle South of Sugarloaf Key

Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 20, 2026 —

A significant rescue operation was undertaken by the U.S. Coast Guard recently when a distressed 450-pound sea turtle was found approximately seven miles south of Sugarloaf Key. The large marine animal was subsequently transported to the Marathon Turtle Hospital to receive necessary veterinary care.

The U.S. Coast Guard crew, performing duties at a distance of seven miles offshore from the Florida Keys’ Sugarloaf Key, identified the struggling sea turtle. The animal’s condition was described as distressed, prompting the Coast Guard’s intervention.

Following the successful rescue, the sea turtle, weighing an estimated 450 pounds, was carefully brought aboard a Coast Guard vessel. The next step in the operation involved transporting the turtle to a specialized facility equipped to handle marine wildlife rehabilitation.

The Marathon Turtle Hospital, a well-known institution dedicated to the care and recovery of sea turtles, received the animal. Staff at the hospital are expected to conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause of the turtle’s distress and to initiate appropriate treatment protocols. The specific condition of the turtle and the prognosis for its recovery were not immediately available.

This rescue highlights the ongoing efforts by maritime authorities and conservation organizations to protect marine life. The U.S. Coast Guard’s presence in the waters off the Florida Keys often leads to encounters with wildlife, and crews are trained to respond when animals are found in distress.

Further updates on the sea turtle’s condition and its journey toward recovery are anticipated as it undergoes care at the Marathon Turtle Hospital.

Story summarized from the original created by Matthew Garcia on wsvn.com, see more information here.

Media gallery