The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) clarified that a recent incident involving divers was unrelated to any boating accident. Instead, it stemmed from an altercation over a diving spot during the lobster mini-season.
A man named Michael Simpson is accused of turning off a diver’s oxygen supply. He reportedly claimed the FWC ‘cleared him’ shortly after the incident. However, the FWC informed the Miami Herald that their officers had located Simpson’s boat and alerted the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO) as the leading agency to investigate the matter. The event occurred on July 29, half a mile east of Fisher Island.
Simpson, 51, faces an attempted-murder charge related to this incident. Through a family spokesperson, Simpson denied the allegations, saying he did not interfere with anyone’s diving equipment. The MDSO arrested him and continues to investigate.
According to an arrest report, the diver involved entered the water around 5:30 a.m. at a known lobster-diving location. Witnesses stated that Simpson became irate and said he would turn off the Brownie diving system, a device that pumps fresh air to divers through an air hose. Reports claim Simpson swam over and shut it off intentionally, cutting off the diver’s air supply. Crew members on the diver’s boat warned Simpson, shouting that a diver was below.
The first boat’s captain jumped into the water and pulled the diver to the surface using the air hose. Once on the surface, the diver was tangled in lines and appeared disoriented and gasping for air, as witnesses told deputies.
Simpson’s background includes participation in Miami-Dade County’s Boater Safety and Bay Education Task Force. This group was established in 2024 in response to the tragic death of 17-year-old Luciana “Lucy” Fernandez in a boat crash on Biscayne Bay. The task force, formed in collaboration with the Lucy Fernandez Foundation, aims to improve boating safety education and enforce boating laws. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava led its formation.
Beyond his current legal challenges, Simpson owns Island Queen Cruises & Tours. The sightseeing company offers various excursions, including popular cruises that highlight waterfront mansions of Miami Beach.
A family statement defended Simpson, noting his lifetime dedication to boating safety and his reputation as a responsible boater. The statement emphasizes his commitment to clearing his name and restoring his reputation.