Accidents of the Week - December 23, 2023
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Body of Missing Boater, 74, Found in Gator-Infested Water
12/12/23 – Stuart, FL
The body of a missing boater who vanished in gator-infested water at Hosford Park in Stuart, Florida, on 12 December has been found, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office.
During a news conference on the morning of 13 December, Chief Deputy John Budensiek said James Summer, a seasonal resident from Indianapolis, Indiana, was trying to secure his pontoon-style boat to a dock in windy conditions at about 5 p.m. when the boat started drifting away.
"He jumped in to swim out to recover his boat," Budensiek said. "His boat continued to drift away from him. Once he reached it… the boat is an older model and he was unable to reach up and hold onto it." The Chief Deputy added that Summer had "lost his fight" while trying to remain above water.
Alligators Posed ‘Huge Challenge’ to Recovery Efforts
As the mission shifted from a rescue to a recovery effort, the chief deputy said alligators posed a "huge challenge" to both the Martin County Sheriff's Office and Martin County Fire Rescue. "After him going under the water, gators are absolutely part of the equation. And we are worried about gators manipulating or moving him," Budensiek said, not long before Summer's body was eventually found about 15 feet underwater, at the bottom of the canal, by search crews using sonar.
Because of the rough waves and windy conditions on the evening of 12 December, Summer's boat had drifted 200 yards from the dock. When authorities recovered the vessel, they discovered it had taken on a "significant amount" of water, Budensiek said. The sheriff's office said Summer's wife, who was also on the boat when her husband disappeared, called a neighbor to report the incident. That neighbor then called 911 at about 5:30 p.m.
Two Rescued After Boat Begins Sinking Off Miami
12/8/23 – Miami-Dade, FL
Two people were rescued on the morning of 8 December after their boat began taking on water. The incident happened off Miami, Florida, approximately 3 miles east of Government Cut.
According to Coast Guard officials, they received a call from a good Samaritan around 10:45 a.m., who said two people were in the water. Officials said the good Samaritan rescued the victims, who were then transferred onto a Coast Guard boat.
Sea Tow later showed up and brought them and the boat, a 30-foot cuddy cabin boat, to Pelican Harbor Marina. No injuries were reported. It was unclear what had caused the boat to sink.
Crews Rescue 3 After Boat Sinks in Ohio River
12/7/23 – Henderson, KY
Three people were taken to a hospital after a boat sank in the Ohio River, the Fire Department in Henderson, Kentucky, confirmed.
Emergency responders from Indiana and Henderson responded to reports of a boat sinking just before noon on 7 December. Officials confirmed that three people onboard the boat were taken to a hospital for precautionary reasons due to the temperature of the water. Their condition was unknown.
Coast Guard Rescues Man from Sailboat 170 Nautical Miles from Puerto Rico
12/8/23 – San Juan, PR
Coast Guard aircrews rescued a solo sailor on Friday, 8 December, from a sailing vessel that was taking on water approximately 170 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
The man rescued was U.S. Citizen Neil Treitman, 69, who was transiting aboard the 46-foot sailing catamaran Sailicity from Nassau, Bahamas, to Tortola, British Virgin Islands, when the vessel started taking on water.
Satellite Call, EPIRB Alerted Coast Guard of Sailor in Distress
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Juan received a call at approximately 9:58 p.m. on 8 December, in which the reporting source called from the British Virgin Islands and informed that they had received a satellite communication from Trietman, declaring that he was in distress. Watchstanders later received an Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) 406 MHz distress signal from the Sailicity.
A Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen, an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft from Air Station Miami, and the Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent responded to find the Sailicity and render rescue assistance. Watchstanders also conducted an Emergency Group Calling and transmitted an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to alert commercial vessel traffic of the ongoing distress. Once on scene, the Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew deployed their rescue swimmer who was able to get onboard the sailing vessel and hoist Treitman safely aboard the aircraft.
Treitman later informed that during the voyage he had noticed that water was slowly coming inside the vessel and that he was able to activate the vessel bilge pumps and use buckets to mitigate the flooding. Despite Treitman's efforts, the mitigating measures were ineffective once water started to enter the vessel at an accelerated pace.
"We’re very thankful Mr. Treitman had the necessary equipment on board his vessel so we could safely and efficiently locate him far offshore," said Lt. Cmdr. Vince Knaeble, Air Station Borinquen MH-60T Jayhawk aircraft commander for the case. "The deployed HC-144 from Miami was critical for this case as our cover asset, and we’re thankful for the awesome SAR support they provided."
Following the rescue, the Coast Guard aircrew transported Treitman to Air Station Borinquen. No injuries or medical emergencies were reported in this case.
Stranded Boaters Rescued from South Carolina River
12/12/23 – Kershaw Co., SC
Three people were stranded after their canoe flipped over in the Wateree River, in Kershaw County, South Carolina.
The day started early for Kershaw County Fire Services, when they were called out at around 6am on the morning of 12 December to the tail race area of the river, in response to a distress call.
The boaters reportedly were able to make it to a nearby island before being rescued. No one was hurt.
Rescuers Pull Boater from Biloxi’s Back Bay
12/13/23 – Biloxi, MS
The Biloxi Fire Department rescued a boater from an overturned boat in the Back Bay of Biloxi, Mississippi, on Wednesday 13 December. The boat had capsized about 1,000 yards from Popp’s Ferry Causeway Bridge.
Assistant Fire Chief Jason Davis explained that the vessel was turning before running aground, when the boater was thrown into the water. He tried to push the boat into deeper water, but then it began to sink. The boater proceeded to call 911 for help, and first responders were there within a few minutes.
Officials were able to pull the man to safety and return the troubled boat to shore. Chief Davis said that the boater was expected to be okay.
Coast Guard Rescues 3 in Puerto Rico, 1 Body Recovered
12/11/23 – San Juan, PR
The search for a missing man ended on the morning of 11 December, after local emergency management rescue crews located and recovered his body in the water off Playa Escondida Beach in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
The crew of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter rescued three other men in this case on 9 December, after they were caught and pulled by the strong currents off Playa Escondida. “We extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, and pray they find strength during this most difficult time,” said Capt. Jose E. Diaz, Sector San Juan commander.
“We appreciate the response and coordination from the local, state and federal agencies that played a crucial role in rescuing three survivors in this case and assisting a police rescue swimmer to safety,” he added.
Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan received a 911 call on 9 December, in which the reporting source informed that his four friends were in distress. The caller further stated that initially one friend was floating in the water when he was caught and pulled by the strong currents, and that his three other friends went into the water to try and rescue him, however, they were all soon overcome by strong currents.
Coast Guard watchstanders also received information that a Good Samaritan went into the water and found one of the persons in distress face down and unresponsive, but was then unable to retrieve the person due to the strong currents.
Three Airlifted to Safety by Coast Guard Helicopter
Coast Guard watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen, notified Puerto Rico Police Joint Force of Rapid Action Marine units in the region and transmitted an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to alert vessel traffic and boaters of the ongoing distress.
A Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action marine unit and helicopter arrived on-scene, however the shallow waters in the area prevented the marine unit from reaching three of the persons in distress. The police aircrew deployed their rescue swimmer who was able to reach and provide flotation devices to the three survivors.
Shortly thereafter, the Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter arrived on scene, deployed their rescue swimmer, and hoisted the survivors and the police rescue swimmer safely aboard the aircraft.
Following the rescue, the Coast Guard aircraft transferred the three survivors and police swimmer to awaiting Emergency Medical Service personnel in the vicinity, before continuing with the search. Puerto Rico State and Municipal Emergency Management crews eventually used an air drone and unit divers to locate and recover the body of the missing man.