FWC officers rescue stranded kayaker off the Keys
News Release
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Media contact: Gabriella B. Ferraro, 772-215-9459
As the sun went down Tuesday evening off Sugarloaf
Key, a kayaker found himself in a precarious position. His
kayak had sunk, and he was wading in waist-deep water. He
called for help on his cell phone.
The kayaker managed to relay his approximate
location to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
dispatch. In the dark of night, FWC officers David Robison
and Seth Wingard spotted the kayaker, Robert T. Scheurenbrand, near
mile marker 17 on the bay side. Just before 9 p.m., Robison
and Wingard pulled Scheurenbrand, 47, of Palm Beach County, out of
the water and onto their patrol boat.
Scheurenbrand told FWC officers that his kayak
began taking on water, and he had been standing in waist-deep water
for approximately 3.5 hours. The officers took Scheurenbrand
back to his vehicle at the marina. Other than being cold, he
was in good condition. He was wearing a life jacket.
FWC officers frequently perform searches and
rescues. Their knowledge of the woods and water is critical to
ensure a positive outcome when time is of the essence.
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