Dispute Over Lobster Diving Spot Results in Attempted Murder Charge Off Florida Coast

A dispute over lobster diving territory off the Florida coast has resulted in attempted murder charges after authorities say one man deliberately shut off another diver’s air supply during the state’s annual lobster mini season.

Michael Joseph Simpson, 51, surrendered to authorities Tuesday and was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County on charges of attempted murder. His bond was set at $10,000.

The incident occurred shortly after 7 a.m. on July 29, approximately half a mile east of Fisher Island. According to the arrest affidavit, Simpson allegedly approached another vessel at high speed, circling it several times before anchoring his boat roughly 10 feet away.

Investigators report that Simpson claimed the group was diving in “his spot” and warned that a larger boat would be arriving. When that vessel did arrive and anchor nearby, the confrontation escalated dramatically.

Authorities allege Simpson threatened to shut off the surface-supplied air system that was providing oxygen to an 18-year-old diver who was searching for lobsters below. Simpson then allegedly jumped into the water and intentionally disabled the air supply unit.

Witnesses aboard the victim’s boat shouted warnings about the diver below as the situation unfolded. The boat’s owner immediately dove into the water and pulled the young diver to the surface. The teenager was gasping for air and appeared disoriented, though he was not physically injured.

Simpson allegedly departed the scene before law enforcement officers arrived. After authorities identified him as the suspect in the incident, Simpson voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Tuesday.

Simpson’s attorney, Howard Srebnick, has strongly disputed the charges against his client. In a statement, Srebnick argued that investigators have ignored evidence and witness testimony that he maintains supports Simpson’s version of events.

According to Srebnick, Simpson was diving from his own vessel with friends and his two young children present. The attorney categorically denied that Simpson disabled anyone’s diving equipment and indicated that video evidence exists showing one of the accusers becoming entangled in diving equipment.

The incident occurred during Florida’s lobster mini season, a popular two-day event that draws thousands of recreational divers to state waters each year. The brief season allows sport divers to harvest spiny lobsters before the regular commercial season begins.

Territorial disputes over productive diving spots are not uncommon during the crowded mini season, but confrontations rarely escalate to this level. The deliberate disabling of life-support equipment underwater represents an extraordinarily dangerous act that could easily prove fatal.

Simpson remains in custody as the case proceeds through the Miami-Dade County court system. The investigation into the incident continues.