Maritime Accident Report: May 19, 2026 — Pontoon Boater Missing on Lake Guntersville, Child Struck by PWC at Indian Well State Park, Lake Wylie Dive Search Off Tega Cay, Kayaker Missing on Roanoke Rapids Lake
This daily report covers notable maritime incidents and offshore casualties from publicly available sources. These summaries are provided for informational awareness and do not constitute legal advice.
Pontoon Boater Jeremiah Gamble Missing on Lake Guntersville, Alabama
Authorities in Marshall County, Alabama responded around 1:23 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, to reports that 25-year-old Jeremiah Gamble had entered the water from a pontoon boat in the area of Honeycomb Creek near Goat Island on Lake Guntersville and failed to resurface. Marine units and dive teams resumed the search on Monday, with Gamble still missing as of the latest update.
Source: WAFF 48
Child Struck by Personal Watercraft at Indian Well State Park, Shelton, Connecticut
Shelton and Derby fire crews were called to Indian Well State Park in Shelton, Connecticut around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026 after a personal watercraft struck swimmers and a child in the water before beaching. A child was transported to a local trauma facility with injuries reported as non-life-threatening, and the operator of the personal watercraft was also taken to a medical facility for treatment.
Source: Shelton Patch
Lake Wylie Dive Search Off Tega Cay After Boater Goes Under
The York County Sheriff's Office Dive Team, Newport Fire, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources responded Monday evening, May 18, 2026 after a person jumped from a boat near Ebenezer Park Boat Landing on Lake Wylie close to the Catawba Dam and did not resurface. Search teams entered roughly 30 feet of water around 9 p.m., suspended operations at 10:30 p.m. due to unsafe diving conditions, and planned to resume Tuesday morning.
Source: WCCB Charlotte
Kayaker Angel Aparicio Martinez Missing on Roanoke Rapids Lake, North Carolina
The search on Roanoke Rapids Lake in North Carolina entered a multi-day operation on Sunday, May 17, 2026 for missing kayaker Angel Rafael Aparicio Martinez, whose tandem kayak capsized Thursday night. Investigators said Martinez gave his only life jacket to a companion, who was later found drifting toward a dam, while Martinez has not been located.
Source: CBS 17
Florida Releases 2025 Boating Statistics: 694 Reportable Accidents, 51 Fatalities
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released its 2025 boating accident statistics on Monday, May 18, 2026, reporting 694 reportable boating accidents — up from 685 in 2024 — and 51 fatalities across 41 fatal incidents. Drowning was identified as the primary cause of death in 53% of cases, 72% of victims were not wearing a personal flotation device, and alcohol or drugs were a factor in 14% of fatalities.
Source: WUWF
If you or a loved one has been affected by a maritime accident, consulting a qualified maritime attorney can help you understand your legal rights under the Jones Act, general maritime law, or the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.
