One boater rescued, another still missing

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WALA) - Divers and Walton County Sheriff’s Office Officials called off search for a missing boater after searching since 7 a.m. Monday.

Officials said they searched all day Monday for Robert Gregory, 41, after a 911 call Monday morning said a boat capsized with Gregory and 18-year-old Tyler Carpenter in it. Carpenter was found safely in the waters of the Choctawhatchee Bay.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Walton County Sheriff’s office, Freeport Fire Department Responders and Walton County Fire Rescue responded to the Clyde B Wells Bridge after the call Monday morning.

Two boats and a helicopter from the WCSO aided the FWC in their search; a dive team came out to help later in the day.

According to Stan Kirkland of the FWC, the two individuals launched a 12-14 ft. johnboat into the bay late Sunday night to fish for flounder.  It is unknown at what time the boat began to take on water and capsize. 

He said the search effort has turned from rescue to recovery mode around 5 p.m. Monday.