Jupiter charter boat captain critical after falling overboard

JUPITER, Fla. - Rough seas caused a 61-year-old Jupiter man to fall off of his fishing charter boat Friday afternoon while entering the Jupiter Inlet.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says that the 51-foot commercial fishing boat, the Water Dog, was entering the inlet when a man fell overboad.

According to witnesses, a man fell from the boat's bridge and hit the side of the boat before he fell into the water.

Photographer Stuart Browning was at the beach photographing surfers when he watched the tragic accident unfold. "The waves were breaking very large on the outside where he was headed, I decided to take a few pictures", said Browning. 

The vessel hit a large wave, as seen in the still photos.

"That’s when I realized he was coming over the wave he was on, as the boat crossed the wave the bow dropped and the wave he crossed seemed to lift the transom and roll the boat on its side. As it returned to upright the captain fell off the bridge", Browning said.

Officials say the victim is 61-year-old Thomas Henry of Jupiter. He is the owner and captain of the commercial fishing vessel and was onboard along with 5 paying passengers and 1 mate at the time.

The mate was able to get control of the large vessel and secure it in the rough surf.

Lifeguards pulled Henry from the water. He was rushed by boat to a near -by marina where c.p.r was performed.

Friends say Henry suffered a broken neck, broken ribs, multiple contusions and cannot breath on his own.

Henry was airlifted to St. Mary's Medical Center and is listed in critical condition.