Marathon, United States - July 19, 2025 An officer rushed to the scene after reports of a kayaker in distress about a mile south of the Spanish Harbor Bridge. The man had no life jacket and was clinging to his overturned kayak with his head barely above the water. Too weak to climb back into the vessel, he was at serious risk of drowning. The officer quickly threw a rope and pulled the man aboard his patrol boat, bringing him to safety. A spare life jacket was given to the shaken kayaker, along with a reminder of the importance of carrying safety gear while on the water. “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. Authorities expressed gratitude to the citizens who reported the emergency and relief that the kayaker escaped unharmed.