WEST PALM BEACH — Rob Murphy loves talking about his spearfishing adventures. Since earning his scuba diving certification last year, he estimates he has made almost 400 dives.

But Murphy will never forget his last dive on Jan. 9 when while surfacing in waters northeast of the St. Lucie Inlet, Murphy was struck by a passing boat. The boat operated by Roger Nicosia, an emergency room physician at Martin Memorial Medical Center North, severed Murphy’s legs.

Murphy lost nearly half his blood. He was lucky to escape with his life, and doctors couldn’t save his legs. (more…)

Divers across the state are organizing a Dive Flag Awareness Day on Saturday to raise awareness following a recent boating accident in which a Martin County man lost both his legs below the knee.

Rob Murphy, 26, was hit by a boat while scuba diving earlier this month in Stuart.

Volunteers plan to distribute brochures with a copy of the law that requires boaters to stay 300 feet away from a diver’s flag. The brochure also reminds divers to carry and display the required flags. Volunteers also will hand out bumper stickers with a message about the law. (more…)