A Middle Keys kayaker in distress got a timely save last month, thanks to the quick action of a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officer.
On July 19, officer Shawn Turner responded to a report of a kayaker in distress about half a mile south of the Spanish Harbor Bridge near Big Pine Key.
Turner found the individual while on land and quickly made his way to his patrol boat to provide assistance. About 20 minutes later, he arrived and found the man, later identified as Michael Krevat, clinging to an overturned kayak with his head barely above water.
Mr. Krevat was not wearing a life jacket and was too exhausted to reboard his vessel, FWC South Region public information director Arielle Callender said in a press release. Turner threw a line to Mr. Krevat and pulled him to the stern of the patrol vessel, where he was safely brought aboard. The officer also recovered the overturned kayak, and they returned to shore.
Once on land, emergency medical services evaluated Mr. Krevat, who was found to be uninjured. Because Mr. Krevat did not have a life jacket, officer Turner provided him with a spare.
“I was paddling water for 20 or 30 minutes, at least,” Krevat told officers in bodycam footage of the incident released by FWC. “I started praying to God, and then this guy (Turner) showed up.”
“This incident highlights the importance of always wearing a life jacket. Drowning is the leading cause of death in boating accidents,” said FWC Captain Adam Garrison. “Fortunately, our officer’s quick response helped prevent a potential tragedy on the water.”
For more information about boating safety, visit myfwc.com/boating and select “Boater Education” then “Boating Safety.”
