Altercation Between Divers Leads to Attempted Murder Charge

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) stated that an incident involving divers did not result from a boating accident. Instead, it stemmed from a dispute over a diving spot during lobster mini-season. Michael Simpson, accused of turning off a diver’s oxygen supply, claimed the FWC cleared him shortly after the incident.

However, a statement to the Miami Herald clarified that FWC officers located the boat containing Simpson and informed the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office to conduct a further investigation. This incident, occurring on July 29, east of Fisher Island, led to Simpson, aged 51, being charged with attempted murder. Through a family spokesperson, Simpson denied the accusations, asserting he did not interfere with anyone’s diving equipment.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is the primary agency handling the investigation. FWC officers responded to the scene, located Simpson’s vessel, and interviewed him. The specifics of his statements to officers remain unclear. The divers reported that while no one was injured, they wanted law enforcement to be aware of the situation.

According to the arrest report, the diver entered the water around 5:30 a.m. at a popular lobster-diving site. The boat’s captain warned someone on a nearby 39-foot Contender vessel to stay away from a Brownie diving system. This equipment uses a compressor to supply air to divers underwater. The report noted that Simpson became irate and threatened to turn off the Brownie, which he then did, according to witnesses. Passengers on the first boat yelled warnings about a diver submerged below.

The captain of the first boat took immediate action, jumping into the water to pull the diver to the surface. When the diver emerged, he was entangled in the air hose and anchor line, gasping for air and disoriented.

Simpson has a known presence in the boating world. He was a member of the Miami-Dade County Boater Safety and Bay Education Task Force, which originated in 2024 following a tragic boat crash in Biscayne Bay.

In September 2022, a boat crash killed 17-year-old Luciana Fernandez and left Katerina Puig with severe injuries. Real estate broker George Pino, responsible for the crash, was acquitted of related charges. The task force subsequently recommended enhanced boating education and enforcement in Biscayne Bay.

Simpson operates Island Queen Cruises & Tours, a company offering various tours and excursions. His family statement emphasizes his commitment to boating safety and his hope to clear his name in court. They describe him as a diligent and responsible boater with a strong safety record.