SEBASTIAN — Authorities have identified the boater who died in Sunday’s capsizing in the Indian River Lagoon east of Capt. Hiram’s Resort.
Rafael Antonio Adames Raices, 57, was identified as the boat operator who died, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Melvin Sena, 49, was also in the boat and was uninjured. Both were from Kissimmee.
The two boaters were thrown in the water after their 13-foot aluminum Jon boat capsized, according to authorities.
They launched from the Sebastian Inlet State Park around 11:30 a.m. Sunday, according to the report. They began fishing around the islands south of the inlet.
The victim stood up in the vessel and lost balance, falling in the water and causing the boat to capsize, FWC said. Sena and Raices held onto the boat until a good Samaritan vessel retrieved both of them from the water.
Raices became unconscious by the time he was recovered from the water, according to authorities. The cause of death is unknown at this time.
An ambulance was dispatched to the Sebastian Yacht Club near Mulligan’s for Raices. Alcohol was not a factor, FWC said.
A kayaker called the incident in, but was too far away to assist.
The incident remains under investigation by the FWC.
