A sailboat of at least 45-feet came loose from its moorings off Key West and began drifting at least half a mile south when people in Mallory Square spotted it Sunday.
A private tug boat pulled up along side the sailboat and a crew hopped onboard.
They secured a line to the tug boat to tow it to safety. Two other vessels have capsized in shallow waters off Wisteria Island, just northwest of Mallory Square.
Captain Ayl Young of Coast Guard said it's "essential" that people heed the warning to "stay off the water."
Most of the Coast Guard's rescue fleet is secured for the hurricane and crews are not capable of rescuing vessels.
They have a small reserve fleet available if someone is in distress on the water.
Local
Captain Young emphasized the port is closed.