V1 WAS TRAVELING ALONG THE BEACH LOOKING FOR COBIA.  V1 OPERATOR WAS UP IN THE TOWER OF THE BOAT.  WHEN OPERATOR DECIDED TO COME DOWN OUT OF THE TOWER, HE LEFT THE VESSEL IN GEAR.  WHILE HE WAS CLIMBING DOWN THE TOWER, A LARGE WAVE HIT THE VESSEL AND THE OPERATOR WAS THROWN INTO THE WATER.  HE WAS LATER RESCUED BY SOME PEOPLE ON THE BEACH. EMERGENCY PERSONNEL ARRIVED AND DETERMINED THAT THE OPERATOR HAD SWALLOWED A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER.  HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO BAY MEDICAL CENTER FOR OBSERVATION.  HE STAYED IN THE HOSPITAL FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITH COMPLICATIONS FROM PNEUMONIA.  THE VESSEL WAS RECOVERED 2 DAYS LATER ON THE BEACH NEAR GULF SHORES, ALABAMA.
PANAMA CITY BEACH             