Boater Arrested for Alleged Scuba Sabotage in Lobster Diving Spot Battle

A 51-year-old Florida man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for allegedly turning off an 18-year-old scuba diver’s air supply during a feud over a lobster diving spot. Hunter Cofer was underwater searching for lobsters at about 7 a.m. on July 29 when the suspect, Michael Simpson, sped up on his boat and anchored it near Cofer’s boat. Simpson then began arguing with the boat’s captain, saying they were in his spot, according to investigators. At one point, he allegedly became irate and threatened to turn off Cofer’s breathing system, then jumped in the water and made good on his threat. The boat owner immediately jumped into the water and pulled Cofer to the surface, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. He was gasping for air, appeared disoriented, and did not understand what had happened, according to an arrest form. Simpson fled the area but voluntarily surrendered to the authorities nearly a week later. He was charged with attempted second-degree murder but plans to plead not guilty. According to his attorney, he never touched Cofer’s tank.

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