On Thursday, March 21, 2013 at approximately 1000 hours (hrs), Boating Accident #FWNC-13-OFF-001717 occurred at McGriff Pass (a/k/a Wadley Pass), a navigation channel leading into the Gulf of Mexico from the mouth of the Suwannee River, Dixie County, Florida. This accident occurred at the approximate GPS location, Latitude N 29 18.3833, and Longitude  W 83 11.1333.  (Google Earth GPS location, Latitude  29°18'24.52"N, and Longitude   83°11'14.14"W).  This location is approximately (1) one mile from the Suwannee Marina Inc, at 49 SE County Road 349, Suwannee, FL (352-542-9159).  The recorded air temperature for this location was 52°F. The recorded wind direction was from the North, North East (NNE) at 9.0 mph, with a wind gust of 10.8 mph.  The recorded water temperature was 61°F. The recorded high tide for this location was at 1105 hours, measuring 2.33 feet. The recorded low tide for this location was at 0417 hours, measuring 0.45 feet. The recorded tide for this location at 1000 hours, was between low and high tide measuring 1.24 feet.  Sunrise was at 0734 hours (Source: NDFD).


Six passengers and one operator took the 1987 27’ “Wellcraft Marine Corp,” recreational vessel on a planned fishing (sheepshead) trip.  The vessel was launched from the “Suwannee Marina” at 49 SE County Road 349, within the Town of Suwannee.  Prior to exiting the navigational channel, operator was in the process of accelerating and getting the vessel on plane, traveling at an estimated speed of 26 mph.  The vessel hit a oyster/sand bar that was submerged within the channel, causing the vessel to come to a quick and sudden stop.  The collision caused the passengers and the operator to be tossed around the boat’s interior after running aground.  Four passengers were injured in the collision.  Three passengers were taken to a nearby hospital (UF&Shands) to be treated for minor to moderate injuries.  The most seriously injured passenger was transported by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to Shands at University of Florida.


Victim1 Abrasion of the Forehead Shoulder strain (Left) Contusion (Left Knee); Victim3 Closed Head Injury Laceration of Head Traumatic Hematoma of Head; Victim2:Puncture (Hole) - left knee; Victim4 Scalp and Facial Avulsion Avulsion below the Rght Knee Cervicla Widening of Cervical Spine (C5) and Cervical Spine (C6)
CROSS CITY