Crime & Safety
Distressed Boater Found Unconscious, Rescued In Sarasota: Watch
An officer rescued a distressed boater who passed out on his vessel earlier this month, the Sarasota Police Department said.
SARASOTA, FL — A Sarasota police officer sprang into action earlier this month to help a distressed boater.
Officer Michael Skinner with the Sarasota Police Department’s marine unit received a call about an unmanned boat on May 3 at 12:30 p.m., the agency said in a news release. The boat was circling in the inner coastal waterway near channel marker 72, which is close to Phillippi Creek.
When he got to the waterway, Skinner saw the boat slowly making circles with an unconscious man lying face down on the deck.
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He maneuvered his police vessel to intercept the boat, wedging it against a nearby seawall, the agency said. Then, he boarded the boat and turned off its engine.
Sarasota County Fire Rescue staff members on standby along the seawall provided medical aid, who was later identified as the boat’s owner. He was semi-conscious and brought to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He’s expected to make a full recovery.
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"I'm incredibly proud of Officer Skinner's quick response and selfless actions," Chief Rex Troche said. "His bravery exemplifies the dedication of our law enforcement officers to serving and protecting our community."
The incident is currently under investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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