A family of seven adults and a child who fell overboard near Boca Grande, Florida, clung to a cooler while waiting for rescue.
American authorities received a distress call on Saturday from a boat that was sinking, according to CNN.
Rescuers then went to the scene of the event by air.
They were able to locate the 28-foot (8.5-meter) boat using a locator beacon that was on board.
The boaters also used strobe lights to indicate they were in danger, CNN reports.
The Coast Guard found the family members clinging to a cooler and wearing flotation vests.
They were rescued by helicopter and transported to a local airport to receive medical treatment.
The reasons why the boat began to sink are unknown.
