CLEARWATER, Fla. — Seven people had to be rescued after their 39-foot boat was struck by lightning 100 miles off the coast of Clearwater on Saturday.

The Coast Guard District Seven command center received an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) alert and contacted the boat owner's wife, who said he and the others were taking part in a fishing tournament.

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk then located the boat and was able to hoist the five women and two men into the chopper and return them to the air station, reuniting them with their family. 

The seven boaters did not have any medical concerns, according to the release from the Coast Guard.

Meghan Chaple was with her boyfriend and competing in the Old Salt Ladies Fishing Tournament when the strike happened. Chaple, who is 25 weeks pregnant, said everyone on board remained relatively calm.

"I can’t say that I was ever super concerned about the baby and maybe that’s why I could stay so calm and didn’t freak my body out," she said. "If I would’ve went straight into baby mama mode, I might’ve been more freaked out in that moment. "

Joshua Guy was also onboard.

"It’s hard to explain in a way for someone to understand," he said. "But I was talking to Jesus. And it was only a few seconds but it felt like an eternity being gone and when I came to. And being told I was struck by lightning, I could smell the singed nose hairs because I had black soot on my nose."

"Lightning storms are routinely encountered in the Florida maritime environment and can pose a significant hazard to boaters," said Lt. David McKinley, Coast Guard pilot. "Fortunately, the boaters in this case were well prepared with all necessary safety equipment, including an EPIRB, flares and a marine VHF radio to ensure a quick and efficient rescue."

The boat, which was towed back to a local marina, took the hardest hit.