Perdido drowning prompts warnings

PERDIDO PASS, Fla. (WALA) - The area around Boggy Point in Orange Beach is a place that attracts a lot of folks looking to boat, jet ski or swim.

But officials say the waters can be dangerous. Around 9 p. m. the Orange Beach Fire Department was called to assist the Alabama Marine Police and the Orange Beach police in the search for a missing boater.

Officials say three people were near Boggy Point on Thursday when one of them disappeared into the water.
Search and Rescue teams from throughout Baldwin County rushed to help try to find the missing boater.

“The Bon Secour Volunteer Fire Department came out with their Search and Rescue boat which has very good side-scan sonar. They were able to locate the victim in about 12 feet of water early Friday morning,” said Melvin Shepard, the Orange Beach Aquatics and Beach Safety Director.

But officials say this isn’t the first time something like this has happened in the area.

“There are a lot of really strong currents and riptides. We also have a red flag up in the area,” Shepard said.

Shepard says it’s best to always use caution when swimming anywhere in the Gulf of Mexico.

"Our hearts go out to the families of the people who drown. We wish that it didn’t happen," said Shepard, "When swimmers get in the water around there, we ask that they’re cautious and know their swimming ability."
Officials say they still aren't sure of the specifics around how the drowning occurred.