Coast Guard rescued 21 people stranded on boat that ran out of gas near Texas City

TEXAS CITY, Texas (KTRK) -- A boat operator was issued a number of citations after the Coast Guard helped rescue nine adults and 12 children near Texas City Sunday evening.

The Coast Guard says the 20-foot boat had run out of gas and they called for help.

The boat was stranded about a mile offshore from the Texas City Dike when they were found. Crews say they only had five life jackets for the 21 people on board.

No one was injured and the boat was safely towed back to shore.

The Coast Guard said the boat's owner was not present at the time of the incident. The boat operator was cited for a maximum occupancy violation, not having life jackets available for all passengers, and for an out-of-date fire extinguisher.