A 27-year-old scuba diver was killed after being struck by a boat while diving in the Lower Florida Keys, despite a diver-down flag reportedly being displayed at the time of the incident.
According to authorities, the accident happened near Little Palm Island, close to Big Pine Key, on the morning of 8 May. The diver, identified as Jocelyn Brown, was underwater at approximately 11am when a vessel collided with her.
Officials from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said the boat’s occupants recovered Brown from the water and transported her ashore. She later died from her injuries. The FWC is now leading the investigation alongside the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether charges will be filed.
The incident has renewed attention on boating safety regulations around dive sites in the Florida Keys, one of the busiest recreational diving destinations in the United States.
Under Florida law, boat operators are required to make a “reasonable effort” to remain at least 90m away from a diver-down flag in open water. If vessels must pass closer, they are expected to reduce speed to the minimum necessary to maintain control. Investigators stated that a diver-down flag had been visible during Brown’s dive.
Local reports described the vessel involved as travelling at speed when the collision occurred, although investigators have not released additional details about the operator or circumstances surrounding the strike.
Brown’s death has deeply affected the Key West diving community, where friends and supporters have reportedly begun fundraising efforts to help cover funeral costs and support her young son.
The fatality came just one day after another serious diving-related incident in the region. A 64-year-old spearfisherman reportedly died from injuries sustained after being struck by the propeller of a boat near Bimini in the Bahamas. The diver had been transported toward Miami for treatment but later succumbed to his injuries.
The Florida Keys remain one of North America’s best-known dive destinations, attracting divers year-round to coral reefs, wrecks, and marine sanctuaries. The region has also experienced several high-profile diving accidents in recent years, including diver separations and medical emergencies at sites such as the USNS General Hoyt S Vandenberg wreck near Key West.
Safety organizations and dive operators across Florida routinely stress the importance of surface marker buoys and diver-down flags, particularly in areas with heavy boat traffic. The latest investigation is expected to examine vessel speed, visibility conditions, compliance with boating regulations, and diver positioning at the time of the collision.
The FWC has not yet released further information regarding witness statements or potential enforcement action as inquiries continue.
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