VESSEL COLLIDED WITH A FIXED BRIDGE AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD AND ITS FRAME AS WELL AS THE BIMINI TOP. 
On 8 March 2013 at approximatley 6:31 pm FWC dispatch received a complaint reference a rental vessel colliding with a fixed bridge.  The vessel, it's operator and his passenger were already back at the marina in Coconut Grove.  At approximately 6:59 pm I was on scene and able to observe the extensive damage caused to the vessel by the operator.  According to him, he was transitiing southbound in canal that runs parallel to Indian Creek Drive, east side of Normandy Island in Miami Beach when he attempted to transit under a bridge located on 71st Street.  Evidently, the bridge did not have enough clearance at that time, Offering only 5 feet during low mean tide, and the bimini, radio antenna and upper windshield frame did not clear the lower section of the bridge causing extensive damage.
Fortunately, neither occupant or operator was injured during the collision.  The operator and his passenger explained that they were visiting from Russia and were not familiar with the local waterways.  The vessel's GPS was activiated by the owner of American Water Sport Rental and we were able to determine the vessel's path at the time of the collision.  The operator was issued a citation for careless operation.
MIAMI BEACH