Cruise Ship Law

A 65-year-old man died trying to help out his son, whose boat was disabled in the Carrabelle River Monday.

The Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission reported today that Glen Roger Buffkin, 65, of Carrabelle, was trapped and died after his 31-foot shrimp boat overturned around 9 a.m. Monday while entering the river.

Buffkin was on the water to help his son, whose boat had broken down.

An 18-year-old passenger on his boat, Nathan Crum, kicked out a cabin window and escaped.

The boat went down in water approximately 15 feet deep.

Investigator Eric Johnston said Crum repeatedly swam down to the cabin but could not locate Buffkin. A passing boat picked up Crum and notified The Moorings marina in Carrabelle who notified law enforcement.

He said a Labrador retriever that went everywhere Buffkin went apparently died in the mishap.

Johnston said Buffkin had gone out on his vessel Monday when his son's boat broke down on Apalachee Bay. Buffkin was returning to land with the broken starter when the accident occurred.

The cause of the accident is unknown, and the investigation will take months.

Buffkin's death marks the 46th confirmed boating fatality in Florida since Jan. 1. In addition, three other boaters are missing at sea off Lee, Pasco and St. Johns counties and presumed drowned.