The Tragic Fate Of Hunter Slezak: 5 Key Facts About The Marty Ann Boat Accident Near Dauphin Island

The tragic maritime disaster involving the *Marty Ann* fishing vessel remains a deeply painful memory for the Alabama Gulf Coast community, even as of the current date in December 2025. This article provides a comprehensive and sensitive look at the devastating incident that claimed the lives of a father, his young son, and a family friend, focusing on the facts, the extensive search efforts, and the legacy of the victims.

The tragedy, which unfolded in late November 2024, saw a massive, multi-day search operation by the U.S. Coast Guard and local agencies off the coast of Dauphin Island. The heartbreaking outcome—the recovery of two bodies and the suspension of the search for a missing 7-year-old boy—shook the entire region, highlighting the unpredictable and unforgiving power of the Gulf of Mexico.

The Victims: Biography and Profile of Hunter Slezak, Michael Slezak, and Sam Wooley

The three individuals aboard the 20-foot cuddy cabin vessel, the *Marty Ann*, were more than just names in a news report; they were integral parts of the Mobile and Semmes, Alabama communities. Their profiles paint a picture of family, friendship, and a shared love for the water.

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• Hunter Slezak: The youngest victim of the tragedy was 7 years old. Hunter was described in his obituary as a boy full of sweet smiles and a loving spirit. His disappearance at sea, following the recovery of his father's and friend's bodies, was the most devastating element of the incident.
• Michael Slezak: Hunter's father, Michael Slezak, was 40 years old at the time of the accident. Michael was a beloved math teacher at Semmes Middle School, where he was known for his dedication to his students. His commitment to his family and his profession made his loss acutely felt by both his personal community and the local education system.
• Sam Wooley: The third person on the *Marty Ann* was 69-year-old Sam Wooley, a family friend who was reportedly the owner of the vessel. Wooley was accompanying Michael and Hunter on what was intended to be a simple shrimping trip, underscoring the close-knit relationships often found in coastal communities.

The tragic loss of three generations—a young boy, his father, and an elder friend—on a routine outing underscored the profound and sudden nature of the disaster.

Fact 1: The Timeline of the Disappearance and Initial Search Efforts

The incident began when the three men and the young boy embarked on a shrimping trip. The vessel, the *Marty Ann*, departed from Billy Goat Hole on Dauphin Island, Alabama, on a Friday in late November 2024.

The alarm was raised later that evening. Watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report of an overdue vessel with three people on board. This immediately triggered an extensive search and rescue operation.

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The initial search involved multiple assets, including Coast Guard cutters, response boats, and aircraft. The search area focused on the waters off the coast of Dauphin Island and the surrounding areas of the Gulf of Mexico. The race against time and the vastness of the sea made the operation incredibly challenging from the start.

Fact 2: The Discovery of Debris and the Recovery of Two Victims

The search efforts quickly turned from rescue to recovery as evidence of a catastrophic event was found. Search teams located debris, confirming that the *Marty Ann* had been met with disaster.

The devastating news arrived when searchers located two bodies. The victims were positively identified as Michael Slezak and Sam Wooley. They were recovered approximately 8 to 9 miles from Dauphin Island, confirming the worst fears of the family and the community.

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The recovery of the two adults intensified the desperate search for 7-year-old Hunter Slezak. Search crews shifted their focus to the east end of Dauphin Island, utilizing every resource available in the hope of finding the young boy alive.

Fact 3: The Suspension of the Search for Hunter Slezak

Despite a relentless, multi-day search operation covering thousands of square miles of water, the search for Hunter Slezak was ultimately suspended. The U.S. Coast Guard, along with partner agencies, made the incredibly difficult decision to call off the active search after exhausting all viable possibilities.

Suspending an active search for a missing child is one of the most painful decisions a rescue organization must make. The Coast Guard issued a statement expressing their condolences to the family, acknowledging the widespread grief over the tragic incident. Hunter Slezak is presumed to have passed away along with his father and their friend.

The search efforts involved numerous entities, including the U.S. Coast Guard, local law enforcement, and countless volunteer fishermen and boaters from the Mobile and Dauphin Island areas. The collective effort demonstrated the deep compassion and solidarity of the coastal community.

Fact 4: The Community's Heartbreaking Response and Vigil

The tragic loss of the three individuals, especially the young boy Hunter, sent a shockwave through the local area, leading to an outpouring of support and grief. The incident became a focal point for community solidarity.

A candlelight vigil was held in Fort Morgan to honor the memory of 7-year-old Hunter Slezak and his father, Michael. Hundreds of people gathered, symbolizing the collective mourning and the deep impact the Slezak family had on their neighbors, friends, and students.

The community support extended beyond vigils, with efforts organized to support the surviving family members. The response highlighted the close-knit nature of the Alabama Gulf Coast, where a tragedy on the water is felt by everyone. The memory of Michael's dedication as a teacher and Hunter's sweet nature became a rallying point for remembrance.

Fact 5: The Enduring Questions and Maritime Safety Awareness

While the immediate details of the tragedy—the overdue vessel, the discovery of debris, and the recovery locations—are known, the exact cause of the *Marty Ann*'s demise has not been widely publicized with definitive finality, as is often the case with maritime accidents. The vessel was a 20-foot cuddy cabin, a common type of boat for shrimping and fishing in the Gulf.

The incident serves as a somber reminder of the inherent risks of even routine trips on the open water. Factors such as sudden weather changes, unexpected mechanical failure, or a collision with debris or another vessel can lead to rapid and catastrophic events at sea. The tragic loss spurred renewed conversations about maritime safety, the importance of distress signaling devices, and filing float plans, especially for smaller vessels venturing into the Gulf of Mexico.

The legacy of the Hunter Slezak boat accident is one of profound loss, but also of a community that came together in the face of unimaginable grief. The names Michael Slezak, Sam Wooley, and Hunter Slezak will forever be linked to the waters off Dauphin Island, a testament to the lives they lived and the love they shared for the sea.