Four Boaters Rescue 324-Pound Sea Turtle in Florida

Four friends boating in Jupiter Sound, Florida, saw something that made them spring into action: a 324-pound sea turtle fighting for her life in the water.

Chris DeSousa, Will Savery, Michael Pickett, and Tony Anthony didn't think twice before jumping in to help. "When you see a beautiful animal like that struggling, you can't just turn your eye away from it," Savery told WPTV.

As soon as Savery got closer, he realized this would take all four of them. The green sea turtle, later named Zoey, was massive and clearly injured.

Working together, the men carefully tied a rope around Zoey's midsection and hauled her onto a nearby pier. They immediately contacted the Loggerhead Marinelife Center for help.

Once out of the water, Zoey's injuries became heartbreakingly clear. Deep cuts covered her shell from an apparent boat strike, and she had likely been struggling for hours.

Despite the rescue team's efforts, Zoey died from her injuries a few hours later. But Savery and his friends have no regrets about giving her every possible chance at survival.

"I think sea turtles are a staple of our waters," Savery said. "When there's an accident that happens with one, we've got to do what we can to save them."

The Ripple Effect

Boat strikes are a growing problem for Florida's marine life, especially during busy summer months. But awareness is spreading, and some rescues end in triumph.

Just weeks before Zoey's rescue, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center treated another green sea turtle named Aelin after a boat strike. Thanks to surgery and customized care, Aelin is now healing in one of the center's hospital pools and making great progress.

The rescue center shares an important reminder for boaters: "Go Slow for Those Below." Simply reducing speed and watching for turtles can prevent these tragic injuries entirely.

These four friends showed what compassion looks like in action, and their story reminds others to do the same.