On the above listed date and time, I, Officer was on state water patrol in the vicinity of the US-1 bridge in the ICW. I was traveling Westbound in the ICW when I observed two personal watercrafts pull into the Seasport Marina docks. Moments later the manager of the Beach Watersports Boat and Jet Ski rentals, began waving me over to the docks where the two individuals were located.  The manager explained to me that the PWC she rented the individuals had been returned with lots of damage to the hull on the port side bow just below the rub rail.  I approached the vessel bearing Florida registration numbers FL 4782 PH and observed what she had described, a large impact hole on the port side bow of the PWC with what appeared to be a piece of rub rail protruding from the hole, possibly from the other PWC involved (photographic evidence of damage attached.) 

I made contact with the operator of the rented PWC and identified him.  I confirmed with Operator1 that he was uninjured in the accident.  I then asked Operator1 to explain what he was doing at the time of the accident, in what manner he was operating his PWC, and how the accident happened.  Operator1 explained to me that he and his friend, were doing circles and indicated to me that he could not really see where he was going and the two vessels collided.  I asked Operator1 where his friend was and he told me Burt Reynolds boat ramp. I asked him if he was injured and he said "no".  I requested assistance from another officer in the area to go to the boat ramp and confirm the second party involved was at the ramp and that he was not in need if any medical attention.  Officer responded along with Jupiter Police Department Officer and the two officers located the second party and escorted him and his PWC which he trailered to my location. 

Upon his arrival, I identified the second party involved.  I observed a PWC on the trailer he was towing, bearing Florida registration numbers FL 1765 AP.  A return on NCIC/FCIC did not match the displayed registration numbers to the PWC.  The yellow registration sticker displayed the last two letters reversed showing FL 1765 PA and this configuration of the numbers matched the NCIC/FCIS return on the PWC.  I observed on the bow of the vessel an impact point with a large amount of fiberglass damage.  I asked Operator2 the same series of questions I asked Operator1 and Operator2's explanation was consistent with what Operator1 told me, he told me they were doing circles at a high rate of speed, there was allot of spray and it was hard to see each other and that is when the two PWC's collided, during the commission of the parties operating their PWC's in an aggressive circular pattern. It was at that time I believed Operator1 and Operator2 were operating their PWC's carelessly, in violation of Florida State Statute 327.33(2). I also believe they were in violation U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules; 5. Look Out, 6. Safe Speed, and 7. Risk of Collision. I charged Operator2 and Operator1 with the following;

327.33(2) Reckless or Careless operation of Vessel-

(2) Any person operation a vessel upon the water of this state shall operate the vessel in a reasonable and prudent manner, having regard for other waterborne traffic, posted speed and wake restrictions, and all other attendant circumstances so as not to endanger life, limb, or property of any person.  The failure to operate a vessel in a manner described in this subsection constitutes careless operation. However, vessel wake and shoreline wash resulting from t
JUPITER