Turning Tragedy into Advocacy: The Remarkable Journey of Carter Viss
Charity Influencer: Lori Griffith
Photography by: Nick Post of Jupiter Wedding Photo
“I can make more of a difference now than I could before.” These words of hope and resilience come from then 25-year-old Carter Viss, who defied the odds after nearly losing his life in a boating accident while snorkeling at Breakers Reef in Palm Beach. From the moment he regained consciousness, Carter was determined to transform his trauma into a force for positive change.
A seasoned diver, Viss and a friend spent Thanksgiving Day 2019 exploring Breakers Reef, a site known for its submerged pier and thriving marine life. The conditions were perfect, and they marveled at the sight of sharks, grunts, jacks, sea turtles, guitarfish, and angelfish. After about an hour, they began their swim back to shore. It was then that Carter heard the deafening roar of a boat engine.
Carter Viss speaks at his foundation’s gala held at Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Viss lost his right arm when a boat hit him while scuba diving.
“I looked to my right and saw a massive boat hull barreling straight toward me at a very high speed. My adrenaline immediately kicked in, and I knew whatever maneuvers I made would mean the difference between life and death. I managed to swim as far out of its path as I could, but I also knew there was no way I could outswim its size and speed. I tilted my body so my head and torso were as far away from the boat as possible and made one final desperate push to clear its path. Then I braced for impact.”
The vessel, a 36-foot Yellowfin boat powered by three 400-horsepower Mercury Verado outboard engines, struck Viss. Thanks to the swift response of rescuers, he was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where doctors saved his life but were unable to save his severed arm.
Months of grueling rehabilitation followed. Having worked extensively with sea turtles injured by boat strikes, Viss now found himself advocating for both human and marine safety from personal experience. The boat’s driver was charged with willful and reckless operation of a vessel, a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. But Carter chose not revenge, but a different path—one of reconciliation and advocacy.
Rather than seeking retribution, he saw an opportunity to collaborate with the boat driver to raise awareness and push for safer boating practices. During the plea agreement hearing, Viss delivered a poignant statement:
Viss plays the piano for guests at the gala in February. He advocates for responsible boating practices.
“Imagine yourself doing the thing you love the most. It is a perfect day for doing this, and out of the hundreds of times you have done this responsibly, today is particularly exceptional. After hours of enjoyment, you decide to call it a day and head back home. Then, in a matter of seconds, your joy and contentment are interrupted by a sudden impact. The next thing you notice is your arm on the ground about twenty feet away from you. Before you can process the absolute shock of that sight, you notice both your legs are dangling from your body and your ability to move effortlessly is nothing but a distant memory. As you start to inhale your own blood infused with saltwater, you start to sink until you cannot breathe, and all you can see is red. This is not a story from a war zone or battlefield, but from an area you once called your happy place.”
Carter’s mission was clear: he wanted to ensure no one else suffered the same fate. He used his plea deal as a platform to work alongside the boat driver, focusing on education and prevention.
Out of this tragedy, Viss launched the Carter Viss Foundation, dedicated to promoting boating and diving safety. His accident underscored the dangers of excessive speed and proximity to shore—at just 700 feet from the beach, the boat was traveling 45 mph when it struck him. Despite towing a standard 12x12 dive flag, he remained unseen by the operator.
To address this issue, the foundation has designed an innovative Diver Down flag, set to launch in early 2025. This new flag features a three-dimensional, triangular design, increasing its size to 15x15 inches while remaining collapsible for easy storage. The goal is to improve visibility for boaters and prevent future tragedies.
Beyond flag enhancements, Viss advocates for responsible boating practices, urging boaters to maintain a safer distance from shore or slow down when approaching populated waters. “It’s a huge ocean, and there’s room for us all,” he says. He suggests retreating at least 1,000 feet—roughly three football fields from the beach to ensure safer coexistence between divers and vessels.
Viss has chronicled his journey in his book Found in the Wake, now available on Amazon. His story is not just one of survival but of purpose, resilience, and unwavering commitment to change.
To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit cartervissfoundation.org
and follow the foundation on social media.
