An early summer fishing trip turned dire for a 19-year-old in Seward on Tuesday, according to a dispatch from the Alaska State Troopers.

The fisherman on Tuesday morning was walking through the water in his waders and stepped into a drop-off in Resurrection Bay, the dispatch said. He was not wearing a life jacket.

The man drifted about 100 yards out into the bay. Witnesses said the man appeared to be going underwater until he was able to remove his waders and swim back to shallow water, according to the dispatch.

The Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers located him about a mile out on the flats and assisted him to safety, they said.

Troopers want to remind everyone to always wear a personal flotation device while recreating on or near water, they said in the dispatch.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.