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Dive team recovers body of missing boater in Choctawhatchee Bay

Authorities recovered the body of Benjamin Godwin, 35, who disappeared Tuesday evening after his vessel began taking on water in Choctawhatchee Bay.
WCSO

The Florida Fish and Wildlife dive team has recovered the body of a Walton County man who went missing Tuesday evening while boating in Choctawhatchee Bay.

  • Benjamin Godwin, 35, disappeared after his boat began taking on water. He had placed a distress call to his wife that evening after launching his vessel.

Family members, including Godwin’s brother, had maintained a continuous presence during the search operation, which began Tuesday night. According to family members, Godwin grew up around Choctawhatchee Bay and was passionate about spending time on the water.

Multiple agencies participated in the search effort, including the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Okaloosa MedFlight, Bay County Sheriff’s Office Air One, Walton County Fire Rescue, and South Walton Fire District.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office expressed condolences for the family’s loss, noting the community joins in mourning Godwin’s death.

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“Praying firvofficer and his family”
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“Wife and I were thinking of making an offer for the property. What a beautiful home site it would make”
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“No, buying the ship was a great idea and will be a wonderful place to snorkeling, and scuba diving.”
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“SPC beach bars have been successful for Decades. We have a large loyal and captive group! The Sand Flea family of restauranteurs have ways succeeded and will drawer other beach...”
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“I agree with the idea of making it an event place. Whether for weddings or parties or businesses that want to hold lectures or meetings.Also a place for groups like...”
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“I second that thought, please quit trying to make Fort Walton another Destin. And anything to do with that that 10 million dollar ship they bought to sink is ridiculous!”
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“I like the idea of it being an event rental space, it would be beautiful for weddings and receptions, but another "charter boat hub", please quit trying to make Fort...”
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“Why not fix the dog parks adjacent to red lobster?”
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“They spend 3.75 MILLION dollars of tax payer money and don't know what they are going to do with the property? If your child came in your home and said...”
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“If Walton County was not so greedy and decided to “TAKE” what they wanted instead of “buying” it like other areas (Destin/Okaloosa County)have, this might have never been a problem....”
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