Three Divers Rescued After Drifting Nearly Two Miles from Boat During Florida Lobster Mini-Season

Three scuba divers were safely rescued after becoming separated from their boat and drifting nearly two miles off the Florida Keys during this year’s lobster mini-season.

The incident occurred near Duck Key while the group was diving on a reef during Florida’s popular two-day recreational lobster mini-season, one of the busiest periods of the year for boat traffic and diving activity.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the three divers surfaced to discover they had become separated from their vessel. A coordinated search was launched involving FWC officers, the U.S. Coast Guard and a U.S. Navy Search and Rescue helicopter based in Key West.

The helicopter crew located the divers at approximately 12:12 p.m., around 1.74 nautical miles (3.2 km) from the location where they had entered the water.

All three divers were recovered safely and were reported to be uninjured before being reunited with their boat.

Body-worn camera footage released by FWC captures the moment officers welcomed the divers aboard following the successful rescue, bringing a potentially dangerous situation to a safe conclusion.

Busy season brings increased risks

Florida’s lobster mini-season attracts thousands of recreational divers and boaters each summer, creating congested conditions on the water. While the event offers divers an opportunity to harvest Caribbean spiny lobsters ahead of the regular season, it also sees an increase in boating incidents, diver separations and emergency responses.

Although this rescue ended without injury, it serves as a timely reminder of the importance of thorough dive planning and maintaining visual contact with support vessels, particularly when currents, wind and heavy boat traffic are present.

Divers can reduce the risk of separation by carrying highly visible surface marker buoys, audible signalling devices and other emergency equipment, while boat operators should maintain vigilant lookout procedures and establish clear pickup plans before divers enter the water.

The swift coordination between FWC officers, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy ensured the three divers were located quickly and returned safely, preventing what could have become a far more serious incident.