Key West Injury Lawyer Blog
An individual in the Florida Keys working as a fishing charter captain was charged after a violent video allegedly showed them stabbing a bull shark surfaced online.
Zane Porter Garrett, 26, of Stock Island, was charged with aggravated animal cruelty after authorities accused them of being the person in the video.
The investigation was conducted by officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission after a Snapchat video showing an animal being stabbed was reported to authorities.
The incident happened on May 22 at the Vandenberg wreck site — the location where a former troop transport and missile-tracking ship was intentionally sunk seven miles south of Key West. The ship was intentionally sunk in May of 2009 as part of a marine conservation initiative and now serves as an artificial reef.
On May 23, FWC officials say they received an anonymous tip that someone had repeatedly stabbed a shark in the head with a filet knife and let “the shark swim away, bleeding.” Garrett had allegedly told customers the violent act was the “preferred method to deter sharks from stealing [their] catch” and was their way to “scare” other sharks away from the area.
When the video was shown by authorities, Garrett confirmed it was them in the video, according to local media outlets. They also allegedly admitted to killing sharks with guns and admitted to having “stabbed sharks and/or killed sharks without harvesting them onto [their] boat many times in the past.”
Garrett has since been released on a $10,000 surety bond.
Garrett works for Second Nature Charters in Key West and is still on their website as of Thursday, June 17, 2025. Local media reported that Garrett was listed as a captain on the company’s website despite allegedly not having the required licensing and was recently investigated for false representation.
The incident could also raise broader concerns about oversight in the charter boat industry.
These laws are designed to ensure that there is someone on board with the proper education and experience to handle any manner of emergency that may unfold. In nearly five decades of personal injury and maritime law experience, Leesfield & Partners attorneys know just how important this is to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone on a vessel.
In this case, however, it is unclear whether this arrangement has prompted additional investigation or will require further action.
Florida Law
In Florida, operating a fishing charter legally for paying customers requires both federal and state credentials. The boat operator must hold a valid U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license —typically the Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV), commonly known as the “6-pack” license, which allows up to six paying passengers. This federal license ensures the captain meets sea-time, safety and navigation requirements.
Additionally, the operator must obtain a Charter Captain or Charter Boat License from the FWC, which authorizes the vessel to take paying customers fishing and covers their fishing licenses. Without both the USCG and FWC licenses, running a for-hire fishing charter is not legal in Florida.
Fishing charters are a thriving industry in Florida, drawing thousands of tourists annually. With this success, however, comes a legal and ethical duty to safeguard the well-being of every customer.
Under Florida law, charter operators must take reasonable steps to ensure passenger safety. This includes properly maintaining vessels and equipment, providing necessary instruction, and addressing any known hazards. This obligation is rooted in principles of negligence and premises liability, requiring businesses to keep their premises in condition that is reasonably safe for customers and to warn of or remedy dangers that could foreseeably cause harm to such individuals.
At Leesfield & Partners, our attorneys understand that when a serious injury or wrongful death occurs, companies may attempt to shift or avoid responsibility. With decades of experience in personal injury litigation, we bring a combination of legal knowledge, relentless advocacy, and compassion for our clients to achieve the best outcomes possible in every case.
Leesfield & Partners
As a personal injury law firm with leading results across Florida — especially in cities like Key West, Orlando, and Miami — Leesfield & Partners understands that injuries can happen anytime, even while on vacation. Whether you’re enjoying a cruise ship excursion, relaxing in the Florida sun, or trying out jet skiing for the first time, potential injuries are often the last thing on your mind. But that doesn’t mean they don’t happen. From slip-and-fall incidents to negligent security cases, our skilled attorneys have successfully represented clients facing serious injuries and wrongful death.
For a more in-depth look at our previous
Previous Cases
A newlywed German couple on their honeymoon were horrifically burned when an uncapped gas pipe in their vacation accommodations caused an explosion. The wife died as a result of her devastating injuries.
A multi-million-dollar award was secured for the husband in that case.
A tourist from Brazil was brutally attacked while at a theme park in Central Florida. Leesfield & Partners obtained a confidential settlement for the victim in that case.
The firm previously represented a husband who lost his wife due to the negligence of a jet ski rental company. Under Florida law, these rental companies must ensure that every guest understands safety briefings given before they are set out on the water. A French-speaking tourist in this case, however, did not understand the tutorial, given in English. Asa result, this tourist eventually crashed into our client’s wife, causing fatal injuries.
A multi-million-dollar result was secured for the husband in that case.
Leesfield & Partners handled the wrongful death case of a husband and wife who were involved in a motor vehicle accident in Florida while visiting from the U.K. The two had come to the area specifically for a motorcycle tour that was happening in the area.
Leesfield & Partners obtained a $1 million partial settlement with the uninsured motorist insurance policy.
A student from Massachusetts was killed in a horrific car accident while visiting Daytona Beach. The bad faith case – meaning that the insurance company denied the claim without sufficient reasoning, evidence or proper investigation – was resolved with a $1 million award for the grieving family.
Leesfield & Partners represented the family of a man who died while visiting Dry Tortugas National Park with his wife on a boat tour. The man was found dead after officials with the tour company directed him to an area they assured him was “good to snorkel.”
Recently, Evan Robinson, a Trial Attorney at the firm, returned a six-figure verdict for a woman who was injured at a popular Florida tourist attraction. In that case, the property’s sidewalk was flanked by a sharp divot with no railing to prevent falls. This hazard was known to property managers who regularly tasked employees to fill the trench with gravel.
When the narrow walkway became too crowded, our client stepped off it and into the trench. As a result, she lost her balance and violently fell to the concrete ground, shattering her hip.
Another case handled by the firm involved that of a woman staying at a Florida hotel where she contracted Legionnaires’ Disease. The woman routinely used the hotel’s hot tub during her stay and presented with symptoms the day she checked out from the hotel. Due to her exposure and diagnosis, the woman suffered an acute kidney injury, and regular bouts of pain and fatigue.
Eric Shane, a Leesfield & Partners Trial Lawyer, was able to secure a $300,000 settlement for the woman in that case.
