KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – Florida’s spiny lobster sport mini-season began at midnight Wednesday, and there’s already been multiple emergencies on the water in South Florida, from capsized boats to one diver being struck by a vessel.
Local 10 News reporter Trent Kelly was at Crandon Park Marina in Key Biscayne early Wednesday morning as boat after boat was lined up, waiting to get out on the water before sunrise.
As the hours passed, things calmed down considerably, but that is not expected to last for long, with this year’s mini lobster season continuing through Thursday.
Emergencies on the water began early, with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials confirming that a diver was located after his boat capsized near Fisher Island.
Thankfully, that diver was picked up by another boat.
Sky 10 was above the scene as his boat was overturned in the water.
Sky 10 also captured a second boat Wednesday morning that not only overturned, but also appeared to be sinking pretty quickly.
“This wave came from behind and then it started sinking,” said Mike Sessa, who lives nearby. “We tried to get something buckets to get the water out.”
That incident occurred not far from Crandon Park Marina.
Late into the night, multiple people including children were brought to Crandon Park Marina after being pulled from the water by Miami Fire Rescue and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission after officials said their vessel flipped over.
FWC officials confirmed that 14 people were onboard the 26′ Chaparral. No injuries were reported.
And in Monroe County, authorities confirmed that a snorkeler was struck by a boat -- a 19′ Stratos -- before being taken to the Key Haven boat ramp in the Lower Keys.
The victim was airlifted to Jackson South Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
He has since been identified as 20-year-old Sean Steven Bender.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Capt. Dave Dipre said it’s unclear who was at fault, but investigators have been speaking with the boat operator.
According to the FWC, the boat was passing under the Boca Chica Bridge when it struck the snorkeler.
Officers in the Keys noted that they observed many dive flag violations Wednesday.
The incidents are another reminder that with so many people out on the water these next couple of days, it’s very important to stay safe and be aware of your surroundings.
“A higher amount of boaters on the water requires more people to be more aware,” said Florida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission officer George Reynaud.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, a person diving for lobster approximately one mile offshore of Tavernier on the oceanside found a package of suspected cocaine just after 2 p.m. Wednesday.
As for lobster mini-season, however, it was a pretty successful morning for some.
After leaving before sunrise, Kelly caught several boaters coming back in to Crandon Park Marina and showing off what they caught.
“We got the limit – 12 per person,” Alejandro Pire said. “We’re happy.”
“That hunt – you know, catching it, measuring it, putting it in the bag, looking at it. You know, if it has eggs, you gotta let ‘em go. Too short – let ‘em go. But yes, it’s fun,” Javier Negrin said.
The mini season is a two-day event that opens up for recreational lobster harvesting, before the much longer regular season gets underway next month, from Aug. 6 to March 31, 2025.
For more information about the rules surrounding the mini season, click here.