Coast Guard officer dies in Clearwater boating accident

CLEARWATER - A 43-year-old Coast Guard officer died after falling off a boat near Island Estates Saturday night, Clearwater Police said.

According to spokeswoman Beth Watts, 43-year-old Shawn Whaley was sitting near the back of the boat, when the others onboard heard a splash

They saw Whaley in the water and quickly got him back in the boat, but he wasn't breathing.  They performed CPR as they brought him back to the docks on Harbor Island.

Firefighters also performed CPR after he was brought back to shore, however he was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital.

Coast Guard officials confirmed Whaley was a senior petty officer at the US Coast Guard's Airstation in Clearwater. Watts said his death doesn't appear to be suspiocous.