PANAMA CITY, Fla. (CBS12) — A Navy base employee remains in critical condition after a shark attack during a lunchtime swim at Naval Support Activity Panama City in the waters of St. Andrews Bay.

The frightening encounter unfolded around 11:45 a.m. Monday near the base marina, a popular waterfront area for service members and staff.

Emergency calls captured the panic of the moment.

“I’m actually at the NSA Panama City installation, there’s a gentleman being attacked by a shark out here,” a caller told dispatchers. The dispatcher responded: “There’s a gentleman being attacked by a shark?” before the caller confirmed, “Yes, over here by the NWR on base.”

Another panicked caller said:

I’m at the bay at the U.S. Navy thing, someone got bit by a shark.”

According to base officials, two employees were swimming during their lunch break when the shark attacked one of them, severely injuring both of his arms. The victim, described as a man in his late 20s, was rushed to a local hospital for emergency surgery before being transferred to a trauma center for further treatment.

The shocking incident left employees on base shaken, though experts stress such attacks are rare.

“It’s a very sad situation, so thoughts and prayers are with the person that was unfortunately attacked and everyone that was involved as well,” Dr. John Carlson, a NOAA research biologist told WECP. “I want to make sure we understand that these type of attacks are very rare and when they do happen it’s very unfortunate.” (CBS Newspath, WECP)

“It’s a very sad situation, so thoughts and prayers are with the person that was unfortunately attacked and everyone that was involved as well,” Dr. John Carlson, a NOAA research biologist told WECP. “I want to make sure we understand that these type of attacks are very rare and when they do happen it’s very unfortunate.”

Carlson said the shark involved was most likely a bull shark, a species commonly found in St. Andrews Bay, particularly this time of year.

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“This is the time of year sharks move into coastal waters, often to give birth,” Carlson said, noting that nearby bays and coastal areas serve as nursery habitats.

He added that the attack was likely a case of mistaken identity.

“Bull sharks, because they’re larger, will feed on sea turtles as prey, and a lot of times a struggling sea turtle on the surface, when it’s flapping its flippers, sometimes a swimmer can be mistaken for a struggling sea turtle,” Carlson said.

Carlson emphasized that sharks do not target humans and that the overall risk remains extremely low.

“You’re more likely to be injured by your lawnmower, bitten by a dog, or hit by a television set than attacked by a shark,” he said.

Still, he advises swimmers to take precautions, especially in murky water or areas where sharks are known to gather.

Authorities, including the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and NOAA, are investigating the incident.

Officials have not released an update on the victim’s condition.