Florida Dive Boat Prop Kills Diver

Despite a decree by Palm Beach County closing all boat docks, ramps, marinas, and other venues for launching any recreational vessels, the dive boat Southern Comfort, operated by Florida Scuba Charters, went to sea on Sunday, March 28, and it ended in a terrible tragedy.

Mollie Ghiz-Flynn, 37, and her spouse Sean, from Melbourne, Florida, had joined the charter and were in the water waiting to be picked up by the 48-foot vessel off the coast of Palm Beach, about a mile-and-a-half southeast of the Lake Worth Inlet. Somehow, Mollie got sucked under the boat and became trapped by its turning propellers and unable to free herself. Rescue efforts failed, and she drowned.

It's always dangerous for anyone in the water to attempt to board a boat when the propellers are turning, and if the vessel is reversing, there is always the danger that a person can be irrevocably drawn onto the propellers. A good dive boat captain never reverses toward divers in the water. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission is investigating. (Palm Beach Post)