INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Over the weekend, and Indian River County Deputy saved four boaters after hearing they were in distress off the coast near the Sebastian Inlet, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Saturday, Sheriff’s Office Dep. Christian Mathisen was patrolling the waterways of Indian River County by boat, when he heard a distress call come across VHF radio, according to the press release. Dep. Mathisen quickly obtained the coordinates of the boat and responded 15 miles off the coast of Sebastian Inlet to find a twenty-four foot boat taking on water.
Dep. Mathisen assisted the four occupants of the boat in pumping out enough water to get the boat moving again, according to authorities. He was able to escort the boat safely to the Main Street boat ramp in Sebastian with no issues. None of the occupants were injured during the incident.
A full time canine handler, Dep. Mathisen, also helps with marine patrol as needed.
“Deputy Mathisen’s work here is to be commended. By monitoring boat radio traffic, he was able to locate and save four citizens this weekend,” Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar. “Whether it be canine, patrol, marine, or any other assignment, Deputy Mathisen always goes above and beyond the call of duty.”
