With a few days left in summer, boaters and beach-goers are desperately trying to fit in a little more time of fun in the sun. Unfortunately for one Florida man, a mistake with his boat led to his drowning death while on a family day out at a lake near Tampa. It’s a sobering safety reminder to respect the water and exercise caution while boating. 

A Florida man drowned after chasing his boat as it drifted away into a lake, according to authorities

52-year-old Pierre Richard Plourde beached his personal boat on a sandy shoreline of Lake Clinch in Frostproof, Florida. Moments later, Plourde panicked at the sight of his boat drifting off into the middle of the lake.

Local police say that’s when Plourde decided to swim into the lake to give chase. Tragically, the 52-year-old Floridian was soon distressed by the swim, resorting to yelling and gesturing to shore for help.

A friend reportedly attempted a rescue, and a rescue team scrambled to get a boat in the water to save Plourde. Attempts to save Plourde were unsuccessful, though, and the Florida man slipped beneath the water’s surface at around 2:30 p.m., per the Miami Herald.

Sheriff Grady Judd of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Plourde drowned while swimming after the wayward boat. “Within five minutes of deploying side-scan radar and an underwater drone, the PCSO Marine Unit located the victim’s body at the bottom of the lake, approximately 150 yards offshore,” Judd told the media. 

Over 4,000 people die of drowning every year in the US

Unfortunately, drowning is a leading cause of death in the US, especially among young children. However, more than half of recreational boating deaths were drowning fatalities in 2023. 

That’s precisely why it’s essential to develop self-rescue skills and remember the water survival acronym, “SAFE.” I taught students “SAFE” in the Marine Corps, but it applies to swimmers in just about every situation.

S- Slow, easy movements

A- Apply natural buoyancy

F- Full lung inflation

E- Extreme relaxation

In short, remember to conserve your movements by avoiding unnecessary flailing or splashing. You have two large sacks of air in your chest. Use them. Keep your lungs inflated and remain as calm as possible.

Many adult drowning deaths also include alcohol. It’s imperative for beach-goers and boaters to avoid alcohol and remember to wear floatation devices.