The day after a boat show is typically hectic as people work to get their boats from the show back to where they are usually stored; a boat show with boats in the water is even more hectic! The Monday morning after the Suncoast Boat Show appeared to be going smoothly until unexpectedly the operator of an Everglades fishing boat lost control of his boat. The boat operator bounced around in the boat, and then was ejected into the water with the boat still running - not just running, but running in circles, with the operator swimming franticly to get away.
Fortunately for the operator, Austin Malatlian was headed out from the Suncoast Boat Show. Austin, noticing a boat in a death loop without someone at the helm, started scanning the water while radioing the Coast Guard. He saw someone waving their arms in the water and went over to assist the operator, who was tired from swimming and treading water. Austin helped the man out of the water and rendered first aid.
Austin, a Suncoast Technical College Marine Technology graduate, and Eagle Scout knew from his Safe Boating training that it was his responsibility to have a first aid kit on his boat. This preparedness—having a first aid kit on board and knowing how to use it—allowed Austin to stabilize the boat operator and ensure his well-being. Additionally, Austin helped manage the situation by keeping other boats at a safe distance until the Coast Guard arrived.
A special thanks to Austin Malatlian, for his quick thinking while remaining calm under pressure and heroic efforts preventing a bad situation from turning into a tragic situation.