On the above date and approximate time I, Officer was dispatched to a boating accident at John's Pass Bridge in Pinellas County.  The accident involved a  25' sailing vessel that struck the bridge with it's mast causing the mast on the vessel to collapse.  I was in uniform and operating a marked patrol vessel.
According to witnesses, while traveling westbound under the center span of the John's Pass Bridge the operator let go of the tiller and began throwing items overboard as he screamed and shouted obscenities.  As a result of letting go of the tiller the vessel turned to port causing the bow of the vessel to hit the fender system on the south side of the bridge.  

As the vessel moved away from the center of the channel it had less clearance for the mast eventually causing the mast to strike the bridge collapse.  Although it was still attached to the deck the mast was hanging over the side in the water.  The swift current the vessel was quickly pushed out of John's Pass and onto a sandbar to the northwest. 

Arriving on scene minutes later I was advised by Pinellas County Deputies that Operator threatened to blow our heads off with a shotgun. 

Having a larger patrol vessel I agreed to return to "Don's Dock" located at John's Pass Boardwalk to pick up several more Deputies.

While reorganizing and formulating a plan to approach the sailing vessel and secure Operator, he announced on the VHF marine radio that everything was over and he was going home.  Operator started the outboard motor on his vessel and began motoring back into John's Pass.

Given the threat Operator leveled at Law Enforcement I understood the importance of securing him before we returned to the heavily populated area of John's Pass and the surrounding beaches.  Repositioning my patrol vessel to the 8 o'clock position (off Operator's vessel) and approaching the jetty's at John's Pass I advised my crew that we were going in.

As we approached Dep gave loud verbal commands to Operator directing him to the bow of his vessel.  With my vessel alongside several Deputies boarded Operator's vessel and secured him without further incident.

After Operator made statements regarding smoking marijuana I began a Boating Under the Influence investigation.  

Operator was transported to Treasure Island Police Department (TIPD) for processing.

At TIPD I read the implied consent warning and requested a sample of Operator's urine.  He agreed and provided a sample.

Operator was cited for boating under the influence, careless operation and leaving the scene of an accident without reporting.
TREASURE ISLAND