FWC Reminding Boaters To Slow Down for Migrating Manatees
Fast-moving boats and propellers are a big danger for manatees in South Florida's waterways and canals. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Jorge Pino spoke about the animals. NBC 6 South Florida went for a ride with FWC officers as they enforced no-wake zones on Thursday.
After the boat crashed into a red channel marker Sunday evening, its passengers told Officer Nathanael Martir-Negron that their friend had been thrown overboard, the FWC said in a statement Monday.
Martir-Negron saw Christopher Alexander Afonso floating in the water and yelling for help, then threw the 20-year-old a flotation device and pulled him to safety, the FWC said.
Afonso had an open wound on his head, was disoriented and did not know how he fell into the water or why he was bleeding, according to the FWC. Martir-Negron took Afonso to a dock so he could be taken to a hospital.