Seven children were removed from a boat stuck in the mud in a low-key rescue Monday morning in Oak Harbor, extending the Fourth of July holiday excitement for the Bouwens and Bingel families long after the fireworks ended.

The rescue involved North Whidbey Fire and Rescue Marine 25, Oak Harbor Fire and Police department, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Search and Rescue, Seattle Coast Guard and Harbormaster Mack Funk.

Last night's strong winds caused the vacationers' boat, dubbed "Dorie," to drag anchor into shallow water, said Funk, and Monday morning's low tide compounded the problem, causing the boat to stick in the mud and list at a 45-degree angle.

The four adults and seven children on board the Dorie woke up to find their boat stuck in the mud and listing on its side. Rescuers responded to the boat's call for help and took the children off the marina as a precaution.

"People have been anchored all weekend," Funk said.

The Bingel family of Sedro-Woolley had spent the weekend on the Dorie, said John Bowens, who met his daughter and six nieces at the Oak Harbor Marina following an escort from North Whidbey Marine 25 from the Dorie to the marina's public boat ramp.

The four adults stayed on board the Dorie to wait for the tide to roll in to guide the boat back into deeper waters.

Merrill said the best thing to do in this kind of situation is to wait for a higher tide.

"There's really no sense to pull them out," he said. "It would just do damage to the boat."

The Dorie wasn't the only vessel left high and dry during Monday's low tide, Funk said. Several grounded boats could be seen from shore.

If boaters stay alert, watch the weather and anchor properly they can avoid a day spent stuck in the mud. Race Week is less than a week away, Funk added, and boaters need to pay attention to the marine environment.

"Firmly set anchor and keep an eye out," he said.