FWC Dive Team rescues boaters from sinking vessel in Crystal River
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
On October 13, 2025, members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) North Central Region Dive Team prevented a potentially tragic outcome for boaters in Crystal River.
The team was heading offshore to investigate a previously located capsized vessel when they observed a recreational boat returning to shore that appeared to be experiencing mechanical trouble. A good Samaritan nearby hailed the officers over VHF Channel 16 to request assistance for the vessel. Upon making contact, officers discovered the vessel had begun taking on water, one of its motors had failed, and the operator was attempting to reach a nearby island to beach the vessel before it sank.
There were four people aboard, including an older woman with limited mobility. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the FWC officers pulled alongside the distressed vessel while it was underway. They safely lifted the woman and assisted two additional passengers onto the patrol boat, instructing the operator to put on a life preserver. Almost immediately after the transfer was completed, the vessel capsized and overturned.
The officers immediately directed the operator to move clear of the vessel as it overturned before rescuing him onto their patrol boat. Their swift actions ensured that all four individuals were safely removed from danger.
After ensuring everyone’s safety, the officers and the good Samaritan retrieved personal belongings floating nearby and assisted the vessel operator in contacting a commercial salvage company before transporting all four individuals safely back to shore.
“I am extremely proud of this team of officers,” said Maj. Scott Lee, FWC North Central Regional Commander. “They were in the right place at the right time and used their extensive training to manage a situation that could have had a very different outcome without their quick thinking and decisive actions.”
The FWC Dive Teams are specialized units designed around the agency’s unique law enforcement and emergency response responsibilities. Equipped with advanced training and specialized gear, these teams provide critical underwater capabilities across Florida’s waterways. Their missions include responding to boating accidents, derelict or sunken vessels, evidence and body recoveries, homeland security threats, and other specialized underwater operations
For additional FWC Division of Law Enforcement news, visit MyFWC.com/LENews
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