WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man who fell off a fishing boat last month at a marina in the Bahamas and was attacked by a shark is recovering.
Marlin Wakeman, 24, of Stuart, said during a Thursday news conference at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach that he’d be returning to the Bahamas and the water as soon as possible.
“I may have some nightmares here or there, but I’ll be all right,” Wakeman said.
WARNING: The video contains images that some may find disturbing.
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The doctor said he expects the 24-year-old to make a full recovery. (WPLG, MARLIN WAKEMAN, CNN)
Wakeman was at the Flying Fish Marina in Long Island on April 26 when he tried to jump to the docked boat he was working on. He said at least 20 sharks swim around the marina at any given time because they’re attracted to the discarded fish carcasses. Wakeman slipped and fell into the shark-infested water, and he was bit on the leg seconds later by what he believes was a Caribbean reef shark. Another shark hit him on the shoulder before he could get out of the water.
Wakeman said the boat’s captain tied a tourniquet on his leg before he was taken to a clinic. He was later flown to Florida for surgery at St. Mary’s.
Dr. Robert Borrego said the shark punctured Wakeman’s kneecap and just missed an artery. The trauma surgeon estimated the shark to be about 7 feet (2 meters) long, based on the size of the bite mark.
Borrego said he expects Wakeman to make a full recovery.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
As tensions escalate overseas, locals in South Florida express a complex mix of concern, hope, and fear—especially for loved ones in Israel and Iran. Community leaders and families share their perspectives on uncertainty, security, and what the future holds.
This Week in South Florida Full Episode: March 1, 2026
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — On the latest episode of “This Week in South Florida” host Janine Stanwood welcomes President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Broward County Audra Berg, Secretary General of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat, Division Director of Flood Control and Water Supply Planning for the South Florida Water Management District Carolina Maran, State Rep. Juan Carlos Porras and State Rep. Kevin Chambliss.
The full episode can be seen at the top of this page.
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Janine Stanwood
Janine Stanwood is a Emmy award-winning reporter and anchor. She joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor.
