RedactedNarrative: On June 16, 2022, at approximately 1925 hours, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Tallahassee Regional Communications Center (TRCC) received a report of an individual who went missing from a vessel, which was not anchored, docked, or moored, in the Choctawhatchee Bay on the northeast side of Crab Island in Destin, FL (Okaloosa County). On June 18, 2022, the missing person was located, deceased, by a kayaker and recovered by FWC dive team. District One Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be drowning and the manner of death was ruled an accident.
  Based on evidence, witness statements, and information gathered to date, the above listed individuals took the maiden voyage of their 23’ K2 Powersports motorboat. They departed Cinco Bayou and went to the area of East Pass.  They anchored along the shoreline of Destin East Pass south of the bridge.  At the end of the day, they were headed back along the east side of Crab Island.  Tide was outgoing.  They turned to start heading back to Cinco Bayou and Operator 1’s hat blew off.  V1 made a complete 360* by making a turn to starboard.  OCCUPANT 1 was unable to retrieve the hat from the bow.  OPERATOR 1 left the helm to lean over the port side.  At that time a wake added to the listing condition of the vessel and OPERATOR 1 fell overboard.  OPERATOR 1 left the throttle engaged in forward position when he stepped away from the helm, so the boat kept moving at idle.  OCCUPANT 1 threw all the Personal Flotation devices that were on the vessel but was not able to get them close enough for OPERATOR 1 to reach them.  OPERATOR 1 was treading water and struggling, eventually going under.   OCCUPANT 1 called 911.  A search was unsuccessful, and OPERATOR 1 was recovered, deceased on the second morning.  OPERATOR 1 was recovered from the Gulf of Mexico.  The location of the recovery is consistent with other cases originating in the same area, given the outgoing tide and the location of OPERATOR 1’s disappearance. Toxicology report from the autopsy shows OPERATOR 1 had the presence of ethanol and THC.; Cause of Death: Drowning with health complications.
  