Vessel was traveling east throuhg blind pass when the operators wife got up to get a drink from the back of the pontoon boat.  At the same time the operator's grandchildren were rummaging through the console  the operator stated he became distracted by all the commotion on the boat and ran into the mangrove tree shoreline.

At the time of impact the operato;s wife was thrown into the side rail of the boat slicing her finger open to the bone. No other injuries reported. She was transported to shore by sea tow and taken to the hospital by her son.  

Vessel bow area suffered a large dent to the starboard side pontoon and the front rail and seating were broken off the deck and crushed.  Vessel damage was estimated at 5000 dollars.

Vessel was operable and was DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCEN BY IT;S OPERATOR/OWNER.
MARCO ISLAND                  