Wrecker is a fifteen-year-old biracial boy living in Key West who takes pride in his family's long history of marine salvage diving. He avoids his birth name, preferring his nickname, and spends his free time working odd jobs or navigating the ocean alone. Though naturally shy, he operates with a strong moral compass and worries deeply about the well-being of his community. His quiet life upends when he accidentally crosses paths with a group of smugglers.

Suzanne is Wrecker's older stepsister. She purchased a home in Key West using settlement money after a car accident left her using a wheelchair. She acts as Wrecker's primary caregiver, making sure he eats well and completes his schoolwork. As a dedicated environmental activist with Friends of Blue Waters, she campaigns aggressively against large cruise ships damaging the local marine habitat.

Willi is a smart, athletic classmate of Wrecker's who gets excellent grades and loves skateboarding. Because her wealthy parents travel frequently, she spends most of her time unsupervised in a large estate. She persistently seeks a friendship with Wrecker despite his initial reluctance, and she harbors her own intense interest in Key West's historical cemetery.

Quantraine is the leader of a criminal smuggling operation bringing forged COVID-19 vaccination cards into Key West. He drives recklessly in expensive cars and shows zero regard for public safety or the environment. He uses his resources to spy on Wrecker, employing intimidation and blackmail to force the teenager into assisting with illicit offshore runs.

Carole is Wrecker's mother and a former physical therapist. She devotes her energy to planning and recovering from various plastic surgeries. She refuses to wear protective health masks because she fears they will ruin her cosmetic procedures, demonstrating a vanity that often overrides her maternal responsibilities.

Wrecker's biological father left his family to chase fame as a country singer in Nashville. He operates under a generic stage name and writes unoriginal songs that plagiarize famous rock bands. He attempts to reconnect with his son but lacks the self-awareness to understand the damage his past absence caused.

Roger is Carole's current husband. He is a traditional man who clashed with Wrecker over the teenager's independent habits, prompting Wrecker to move out. He firmly believes internet conspiracy theories about vaccines until he contracts a severe case of the virus himself.

Mr. Riley is an elderly man who lives near the cemetery. He pays Wrecker fifty dollars a week to maintain the gravestone of his late sister. He feels no strong attachment to Florida, viewing his home country of Ireland as his true resting place.

Officer Nugent is a recent addition to the local police force. He abuses his authority to harass residents of color and immediately targets Wrecker during a misunderstanding about trespassing.

An ethical police officer working in Key West. He shares Wrecker's deep appreciation for the ocean and the local community, serving as a fair-minded contrast to his prejudiced colleagues.

A historical figure of Spanish descent who lived in Key West after World War I. He was tortured and murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in 1921 for living with a biracial woman. His tragedy profoundly affects the modern-day teenagers who visit his resting place.

Mr. Riley's sister who immigrated from Ireland to Key West decades ago. After suffering a betrayal by her husband, she drowned herself in 1978.

Willi's ex-boyfriend. His uncle owns a property near the cemetery, where Wrecker secretly borrows a ladder and a hose for his night jobs.

A criminal contact who works with the smuggling operation. He handles the maritime handoffs, trading fake vaccination cards for cooler boxes full of cash.

An elderly nanny employed by Willi's wealthy parents. She is frequently confused and largely unable to effectively supervise the independent teenager left in her care.