A 17-year-old boy was hospitalized after a shark bite near Galveston, Texas, turned a boating trip into a medical emergency on Monday, May 25, 2026.
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office contacted the U.S. Coast Guard at about 3:15 p.m. local time after reports that the teenager had suffered a shark bite while on a boat near Galveston.
Coast Guard Responds After Shark Bite Near Galveston
Authorities said the teen was on a boat with his father and another person when the injury happened. The boy was reportedly bitten while the group was attempting to bring the shark on board.
After the bite, the teen’s father applied a tourniquet to control severe bleeding. When Coast Guard crews reached the boat, they applied a second tourniquet before helping move the injured teen toward medical care.
Boat Became Disabled Near Galveston Jetties
Officials said the group had been offshore for several hours before calling for help. Their boat became disabled near the Galveston jetties while they were returning toward the Galveston Yacht Basin.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed why the boat became disabled.
Teen Taken to UTMB Galveston
The teenager was conscious and alert during the rescue and was taken to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for treatment.
Officials have not released further details about his condition, the full extent of his injuries, or the shark species involved. The incident drew attention because it combined a shark bite, a disabled boat, and a Coast Guard rescue near one of Texas’ busiest Gulf Coast areas.
