State authorities continue to investigate a boat strike that claimed the life of a Florida Keys diver on May 8 near Little Palm Island off Big Pine Key.
Summerland Key resident Jocelyn Brown, 27, was freediving off the Lower Keys island from an anchored vessel when a 24-foot Twin Vee catamaran struck her around 11 a.m., according to a preliminary incident report provided to the Keys Weekly by FWC.
Two occupants aboard the boat that struck Brown, both residents of Ramrod Key, aided in bringing her to shore, but she succumbed to her injuries and was later pronounced dead at Fishermen’s Hospital.
Brown’s boat had a properly displayed dive flag flown from its highest point, according to FWC records. At press time, criminal charges have yet to be filed in the incident, under investigation by FWC and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Per Florida law, vessels must stay at least 300 feet away from a displayed diver-down flag in open water, or 100 feet within channels or constrained water bodies. If passing the marker within the required radius, they must slow to the lowest speed necessary to maintain steering control.
Brown’s death quickly generated a widespread show of support and grief across the diving and fishing communities in the Florida Keys.
“Words are hard to find as our community grieves the loss of a beautiful soul, Jocelyn Brown,” wrote dive shop Freedive Key West in a Facebook post. “A devoted mama. A talented diver. A light in this community. Gone because a boat operator ignored a dive flag displayed less than 75 feet away. That is not an accident. That is negligence.
“An obvious issue that is apparent throughout the state of Florida is that boater competency is extremely lacking. … Boater education needs to be taken seriously, by rental companies, by law makers, and by every single person who gets behind the wheel of a vessel. Dive flags exist for a reason.”
While early social media posts from friends and concerned locals pledged a GoFundMe or trust fund in support of Brown’s family and young son, posts from Brown’s family later asked for privacy as her loved ones navigate the tragedy.
“We are deeply grateful for the profound impact Jocelyn has had on so many lives on the island, and we cherish the stories everyone has shared with us about her,” wrote Brown’s brother Joey. “Our request is that you grant us the space to manage this situation that has taken our sister and daughter from us.”
A second post clarified that funds set up improperly could disqualify Brown’s son Mikey, who has autism, from receiving proper disability benefits.
