The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) stated an incident that caused severe legal implications stemmed from a dispute among divers, not a boating accident. Michael Simpson stands accused of cutting off a diver’s air supply following a disagreement over a diving spot during lobster mini-season. Simpson announced the FWC had ‘cleared him’ soon after the episode.
However, a statement provided to the Miami Herald confirms that the FWC found Simpson’s boat and informed the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO) since the matter involved an altercation between divers. Simpson, aged 51, now faces an attempted murder charge relating to this July 29 event that occurred about half a mile from Fisher Island. A spokesperson representing Simpson denied the allegations, claiming he neither encountered nor meddled with anyone’s diving gear.
The MDSO is responsible for the investigation and has already arrested Simpson. The FWC clarified that their officers went to the scene, identified Simpson’s boat, and conversed with him. Specifics on what he conveyed to the officers remain undisclosed.
According to the FWC statement, individuals aboard the diver’s vessel mentioned no injuries but opted to inform law enforcement. Reportedly, prior to the incident, around 5:30 a.m., the diver had entered the water at a recognized lobster-diving site. Witnesses relayed that the captain of the diver’s boat needed to caution someone on a 39-foot Contender to refrain from approaching a Brownie diving system, which supplies fresh air to divers via a hose.
Michael Simpson allegedly threatened to turn off the Brownie and eventually did so, aggravating the situation. He reportedly swam over and disabled the air supply. The urgency escalated when individuals on the first boat began yelling about the submerged diver’s predicament. The diver was pulled to safety by the boat captain, tangled in both the air hose and anchor line, disoriented, and struggling for air, as witnesses detailed to deputies.
Simpson carries recognition within the boating community. He plays a role in Miami-Dade County’s Boater Safety and Bay Education Task Force, initiated in 2024 post the Biscayne Bay boating tragedy that claimed the life of teenager Luciana ‘Lucy’ Fernandez. Miami-Dade’s Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the Lucy Fernandez Foundation prioritized this task force’s creation.
The crash that led to Lucy’s death resulted in physical and neurological impairments for Katerina ‘Katy’ Puig. George Pino, piloting the craft during the fatal crash, was acquitted of grave charges in June related to the incident. Prominent figures like Lucy’s father, Andres Fernandez, and State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, are associated with the task force. Their July-issued report underlined the importance of enhanced boating-safety education and law enforcement.
Simpson, associated with Island Queen Cruises & Tours, is known for offering numerous popular aquatic excursions. His family released a statement highlighting his lifelong dedication to boating safety and his respected status among South Florida boaters. Their statement expresses Simpson’s confidence in clearing his reputation once the full story unravels in court proceedings.
Miami Herald contributor Milena Malaver assisted in this article. Grethel covers court-related matters and is part of the Miami Herald team. With a background from the University of Florida, Grethel pursues law part-time and holds interest in language, sports, travel, and storytelling.