On Saturday, June15, 2013, at approximately 1609 hours, a white 17-foot 1979 Hydra Sport vessel (V1) bearing Hull Identification Number (HIN) HSX17019M79D, struck a floating wooden boat(s) dock at a high rate of speed causing serious bodily injury to the operator of the vessel.  The two were returning to the boat ramp after a short trip (30 minutes) on the lake.  The operator of the vessel dropped his wife off, at the ramp, so she could back their truck and trailer into water.  While she was attempting to complete the task of backing the boat/trailer up for loading, Operator, continued to operate his vessel in close proximity of the boat ramp.  The operator of V1 was traveling east of the boat ramp, on plane, at a speed estimated above 25mph, on Little Lake Henderson.  The operator of the vessel was looking back at his motor to see if it was pumping water, and when he turned back around he saw the boat slip.  In an effort to make a sharp turn to the left to avoid the boat dock, he jammed his right hand between the steering wheel and console/gauges. Previous owner modified the gauges by remounting them on a 1 ½'' thick board and then mounted the board to the console. This reduced the original clearance of 2" by 1 ½" leaving only a 1/2" clearance between the steering wheel and console/gauges.  Operator was unable to turn the vessel and collided with the boat slip, then struck the post that was connected to the dock/slip.  The dock was approximately 250 yards east of the public boat ramp.  During the first initial impact the vessel traveled over the dock, then made a counterclockwise turn and struck the dock a subsequent time.  During the impacts Operator received multiple injuries.  Operator was able to recover and operate the vessel back to the ramp. Upon arriving operator told his wife to call 911, then he collapsed. When rescue personnel arrived, Operator was treated on scene and later was airlifted to Ocala Regional Medical Center Hospital, Marion County. The vessel was processed and released to the owner's designee. Due to the damaged section of the dock still being in the water, the dock could not yet be completely assessed for damage.  He suffered bruising and scrapes from falling around in the vessel during impact
INVERNESS