Everyone Here Needs this wake up call. 13 dead 1 missing 2015

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Boating Accident Notifications

2nd Edition



Monroe County 1/6/15:  At approximately 9:00 a.m. a 43-year-old male departed from Murrays Marina on Stock Island for a day of commercial fishing.  The vessel he was operating, a 25 foot Mako, was found south of Key West with the anchor deployed, taking on water, and no occupants or signs of distress onboard. The USCG, FWC and Sea-Tow have searched the area for the man, but have not been able to locate him.



Wakulla County 2/14/15:  Two men were traveling in a 14 foot jon-boat with stick steering.  They were on the Sopchoppy River in the vicinity of Ochlockonee State Park.    The 67-year-old operator let go of the steering control to get a soda, the vessel made a sharp turn to the right ejecting the operator and his 69-year-old occupant.  When the operator surfaced, he saw the occupant holding onto a PFD and asking for help.  The operator swam back to the vessel and then idled over to the occupant.  The occupant became unresponsive while attempting to climb back into the vessel.  The operator held onto the occupant and towed him to the river bank and started CPR.  After a few minutes the operator went to get assistance from a gentleman fishing on the bank at the park.  They called EMS before going back to the occupant.  They were able to get the occupant into the vessel and return to the park and meet EMS.  The occupant was not able to be resuscitated and was pronounced deceased.



Pasco County 2/17/15:  Two men were on a 27 foot commercial shrimp vessel approximately nine miles offshore.  The operator, 29-years-old, made a Mayday call at approximately 12:30 a.m. stating that the vessel was sinking.  Search and rescue efforts were conducted and the occupant, 17-years-old, was rescued at 11:00 a.m.  He was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital and treated for abrasions, hypothermia and dehydration.  He reported that he was wearing the only PFD that was onboard and that the operator made him put it on.  They had planned on holding onto each other, however a wave separated them and the 17-year-old could not locate the operator.  The body of the operator was located at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Glades County 2/19/15:   A man and woman were in a 20 foot open motor boat on Lake Okeechobee.  Approximately two miles from Indian Prairie, the male operator slowed the vessel and turned around due to the rough conditions.  Waves began pouring over the stern and the vessel quickly submerged.  The two did not have PFDs on and were heavily clothed.  The male became exhausted and slipped below the surface.  The female was able to hold onto some floating debris and was rescued a few hours later.  The body of the operator was located on 2/22.



St. Lucie County 2/24/15:  A 150 foot barge was being towed through the Fort Pierce inlet at approximately 6:30 p.m.  There were two men onboard the barge that were maintaining bilge pumps to keep it afloat.  The bilge pumps were no longer able to keep up with the incoming water and the barge began to sink.  The men abandoned the barge, however one of them, 58 years of age, was too close to it.  It is believed he was caught in the suction of the barge and pulled under while it was sinking.  The body of the man was located at approximately 8:30 p.m., he was not wearing a PFD.



Marion County 2/27/15:    A homeowner on the bank of Lake Oklawaha was in his backyard when he heard someone calling for help on the lake.  He saw a man in the water and a vessel running in circles.  The homeowner called 911 and went to help him.  Before the homeowner could reach him, the man became unresponsive and was floating face down in the water.  The homeowner was able to recover the man and bring him to shore where EMS were standing by.  The man, 67-years-old, was pronounced deceased.  The vessel was later stopped from spinning circles.  A cursory look in the vessel, a 13 foot G3, revealed the throttle was at approximately the ¾ forward position and the bilge plug was not installed.  Additionally the required safety equipment was onboard, the operator was not wearing his PFD.



Alachua County 3/14/15:  Two men were in a 15 foot Glasstream bass boat on lake Lochloosa at approximately 12:30 p.m.  The 34-year-old operator and his 52-year-old occupant were going to a new location to fish.  While operating the vessel, they noticed it was taking on water near the stern.  The two men moved to the bow of the vessel in an attempt to balance it out.  The occupant then fell into the water. The operator got a PFD and attempted to throw it to him, but the occupant was unable to reach it.  The occupant slipped under the surface of the water and the operator swam after him,  He was unable to locate the occupant.  While the operator was searching for the occupant the bass boat capsized.  The operator swam back the bass boat and was able to climb on top it.  He was later rescued by a Good Samaritan.  The body of the occupant was located at approximately 7:15 p.m.



Martin County 3/15/15:  Two men were in 16 foot kayak on the Loxahatchee River in the vicinity of Jonathan Dickinson State Park.  One of the men, 20 years of age, stated that a wave caused the kayak to overturn, sending him and his 21-year-old occupant into the water.  Both men were wearing PFD's at the time.  While attempting to swim to the shore, the 21-year-old reportedly removed his PFD stating he could not swim with it on.  The 21-year-old later became exhausted and slipped under the surface of the water.  The 20-year-old was able to swim to shore and get help.  EMS responded, but they were unable to resuscitate the 21-year-old.



Fatality Comparison

Jan 1 to March 16

2014 = 6                                2015 = 13, 1 missing