A boating tragedy on Florida’s St. Johns River has left one person dead and three others — including two children — missing after an 18-foot vessel capsized near Goat Island on Friday evening. Authorities continued their search efforts into Saturday afternoon, as hope remained that the missing individuals could be found alive.
The U.S. Coast Guard received a distress call around 7 p.m. Friday reporting that a boat had overturned in the river. According to the Coast Guard, four people were on top of the capsized vessel and four more were believed to be trapped underneath. Emergency responders from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and other local agencies quickly launched a search and rescue operation.
Four people stranded atop the overturned boat were rescued by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Marine Unit. However, one adult pulled from the water was found unresponsive and was later pronounced dead at the scene. The deceased has not yet been publicly identified, pending family notification.
Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan Dickinson confirmed that the search continues for the remaining three victims — an adult and two children — who were believed to be under or near the vessel when it overturned. None of the boat’s occupants were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident, the Coast Guard noted in a press release.
“We’re putting every available resource into this search,” Dickinson said. “Our priority is locating the missing individuals and bringing them home safely.”
The overturned boat was discovered near Goat Island, a wooded area in the middle of the St. Johns River that is often visited by local boaters. Coast Guard rescue swimmers attempted to make contact with those suspected of being trapped beneath the vessel but received no response. Divers from the sheriff’s office then searched under the boat but were unable to locate anyone.
Throughout Friday night and into Saturday, a coordinated search effort involving multiple agencies was underway. Rescue boats, helicopters, and dive teams have been deployed in the area. The Coast Guard is also using sonar and underwater cameras in an attempt to detect any sign of the missing individuals.
The cause of the capsizing is still under investigation. Officials have not reported any hazardous weather conditions at the time, but shifting currents and sudden movement on smaller vessels like the 18-foot boat involved can quickly cause them to overturn.
Goat Island and the surrounding area are popular with recreational boaters. Despite its beauty, the river can be deceptive. Local experts say boaters must be constantly aware of changing water conditions and should always have safety gear — especially life jackets — on board and in use.
“This was a heartbreaking situation that could potentially have been prevented with proper safety precautions,” said a spokesperson for the Coast Guard. “Life jackets are not optional on the water — they’re a necessity.”
The identities and ages of the two missing children and the adult have not been disclosed. Family members are being assisted by victim support services and have requested privacy during the search operation.
The tragedy has struck a deep chord in the Jacksonville community, where the St. Johns River is a central part of daily life and recreation. Residents have expressed sorrow and shock, and many are calling for renewed public awareness campaigns around boating safety.
Authorities are asking the public to avoid the search area around Goat Island while emergency operations are underway. They are also encouraging anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and may have seen the boat before it capsized to come forward with information.
As of late Saturday, the Coast Guard had not indicated when the mission would transition from rescue to recovery, holding out hope that the missing victims could still be found alive. The community, meanwhile, watches and waits as rescue crews continue their tireless efforts on the dark waters of the St. Johns River.
