17-Year-Old Bitten by Shark While Attempting to Pull It Aboard Off the Texas Coast

A Memorial Day excursion took a critical turn when a 17-year-old was attacked by a shark while aboard a recreational boat near the Texas coast.

A Rare Incident

The injury occurred while the teenager was attempting to haul a shark onto the vessel. Facing a dire situation, his father reportedly applied a tourniquet to control the bleeding before rescuers arrived.

Around 3 p.m., the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office notified the U.S. Coast Guard in the Houston-Galveston sector that three people—including the injured teen—were aboard a boat heading toward the Galveston Yacht Basin. As the boat attempted to return to shore, it lost power near the Galveston South Jetties.

Coast Guard responders arrived to transfer the teen and his father to their own vessel and transported them back to their base in Galveston. The teenager was subsequently taken to the University of Texas Medical Branch for treatment, where he remains in stable condition.

Safety Recommendations for Boaters

Following this event, experts have highlighted critical safety warnings for offshore travel:

Avoid handling wildlife: Boaters should refrain from bringing wild predators onto a vessel without specialized training and proper equipment. Maintaining a safe distance from animals that are stressed or struggling is essential to prevent sudden, severe injuries.

Prioritize first-aid: Carrying a well-stocked first-aid kit that includes supplies for bleeding control—and possessing the knowledge to use them—can be life-saving. In this scenario, the father’s use of a tourniquet was likely vital in stabilizing the teenager’s condition before professional help arrived.

Ensure thorough preparation: Checking the condition of a vessel before heading offshore, establishing a communication plan, and maintaining the ability to quickly reach emergency responders are key practices to improve response times during offshore emergencies.