***Update as of 10:11 PM May 28, 2017, Michael Steller was pronounced deceased at Tampa General Hospital***

********************** Original News Release************************

17-126 Marine Deputies Perform Life-Saving Measures on Clearwater Man After He Jumps Off His Pontoon Boat In Shallow Waters

Water Rescue

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Marine Unit

Palm Harbor Fire Rescue
- Fireboat 68

Deputy Ryan Dunning (Marine Unit)
Age: 27
Hire Date: 07/01/2013

Deputy Stephen G Kaselak (Marine Unit)
Age: 47
Hire Date: 03/19/2007

Deputy Jeremy Kurella (Marine Unit)
Age: 37
Hire Date: 09/06/2005

Michael L Steller (Life Threatening Injuries)
DOB: 09/07/1967
Address: 1011 Charles Street, Clearwater

What:
Deputies performed life-saving measures on a man after he jumped off of a pontoon boat into shallow waters in the Gulf of Mexico

When:
The incident occurred at about 4:36 p.m. on Sunday, May 28, 2017.

Where:
The incident occurred in the Gulf of Mexico on the north end of Three Rooker Island.

Why/How:
Marine deputies performed life-saving measures on a man after he jumped off a pontoon boat into shallow waters in the Gulf of Mexico.

Deputies responded to a report of an unconscious male identified as 49-year-old Michael Steller. The vessel, a 23’ pontoon boat, was anchored on the north end of Three Rooker Island in approximately four feet of water.  Deputies say Steller jumped off a pontoon boat and was discovered unresponsive in the water.  Good Samaritans pulled Steller from the water and began life-saving measures.

Deputies arrived on scene and began utilizing an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), lifesaving efforts.  Dep. Dunning and Dep. Kaselak performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), along with an unknown doctor and nurse on the island. 

Palm Harbor Fireboat 68 responded and the patient was transported to Florida Hospital North Pinellas with life-threatening injuries.

Deputies say alcohol was a factor in this incident.

The investigation continues.