News Release

Accident claims the life of Port Charlotte boater

September 19, 2008
Contact: Gary Morse, 863-227-3830 or Officer Joanne Adams, 863-581-6990

The body of Joseph Battaglia, 72, of 5207 Conner Terrace, Port Charlotte, was recovered by a commercial barge operator at about 11:45 a.m. Friday near the mouth of the Myakka River.  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigators say Battaglia was the victim of a boating accident, but the incident remains under investigation.

The victim reportedly departed alone from his residence at about 9:30 a.m.  The operator of the barge discovered Battaglia's overturned vessel off Cattle Dock Point at about 11:30 a.m. and recovered the body shortly thereafter.  The barge operator immediately notified his employers at Charlotte County Seawall, who called the Charlotte County Sheriff's office.  FWC was notified at 11:50 a.m.

Conditions on the water at the time were rough, with a 2.5-foot chop.   The medical examiner's office took the body into custody mid-afternoon.