On 7/15/12 at approximately 0130 hours I, Officer of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was contacted by the Tampa Duty Communications Center in reference to a boating crash where an airboat had struck a wooden dock at Thomas Landing on Lake Kissimmee. The duty officer further advised that one of the subjects has cerebral palsy and all subjects were accounted for with the boat at the ramp.

	I arrived on scene and learned that one of the passengers, had been transported to the Lake Wales hospital from Polk County Sheriff office deputies. I then made contact with the alleged operator and vessel owner. Operator advised that they had left the ridge and was returning to their campsite at the River Ranch boat ramp. He further stated that he was operating the vessel and that he had not been out on Lake Kissimmee in about a year. The vessel (FL 4434 RY) is a 2006 green in color homemade (Predator hull) fiberglass airboat. The vessel is a front seat operated airboat with a double seated rear seat. He stated Occupant2 was sitting to the right and behind him. A third subject and passenger was sitting to the left and behind him. 

            Operator advised that he approached the area of Thomas Landing and went around the fence line area which extends into the water from the shoreline. He stated that as he passed the fence line he approached the wooden dock area and attempted to cross between the broken portions of the dock. The dock also extends from the shoreline into the water. 

	Operator advised that as he entered the broken area of the dock he struck a submerged object with the bow of his airboat. He stated that it caused the airboat to go up into the air and tilt to the right causing all of them to be ejected. Operator stated that he and Occupant2 were thrown out to the right. He stated that Occupant3 jumped out and to the left. Operator stated that he used a light to navigate around the fence line, but turned it off as he approached the wooden dock. He stated that he was, “using the moonlight” to navigate. He also stated that he was not wearing any eye protection. I observed a large amount of blind mosquitoes swarming in the area.  

	Operator advised that he observed subject swimming back to the airboat and he also swam to the airboat to turn it off. He then swam over to Occupant2 and was able to bring him over to the airboat. He stated that Occupant2 has cerebral palsy. They subsequently walked the airboat down the dock to the boat landing.

	I spoke with Occupant3 who advised the same as Operator and stated that she did not see what they had struck. She further stated that they need to put lights on the wooden dock. 

	I completed a boating safety inspection of the airboat. The only violation that I noted was that there were no mufflers. I observed damage to the port side bow and one of the pipes was broken off the port side header. Operator had already gone back to River Ranch boat ramp and retrieved his truck. I advised him that he could load up the vessel. I then took digital photographs of the damages. Operator estimated the damage at approximately $2,500.00.

            I then responded to the Lake Wales Hospital to make contact with Occupant2. Upon arrival I was advised that they were about to release him. I spoke with Occupant2 who confirmed Operator' explanation above. Occupant2 advised that he had no injuries, but was sore. I left the hospital.

	I then responded to London Creek, where I launched my marked patrol airboat. I went to the crash location. I observed a portion of the dock that was missing where Operator said it was. On both sides of the opening was part of the wooden dock that appears to been damaged awhile ago. Within the opening I observed two round wooded posts that were visible and sticking up from the water approx

LAKE WALES                    