On July 26, 2012 at approximately 7:00 pm a single vessel incident occurred on the waters of Salt Run in the City of St. Augustine, Saint Johns County, Florida. The incident involved a 17 foot open style vessel occupied by two males. While changing speeds the two occupants were ejected overboard and into the water. One occupant was rescued from the water and the other was located after a three hour search deceased. 
ACCIDENT ANALYSIS

PRE-ACCIDENT

On the evening of July, 26th 2012 Occupant and Operator decided to go for a boat ride and maybe try and catch some fish. It was warm and sunny with an ocean breeze and an outgoing tide when they left from where Occupant docks his vessel (V1). The two were just going to go on a short trip across Salt Run with Operator operating V1 from the dock. Operator started out at a slow speed in V1 as they left the dock. When Operator was approximately 150-200 yards away from the dock he accelerated V1  to get  on plane. V1 suddenly lurched hard to port taking both Operator and Occupant by surprise.

ACCIDENT

Occupant seated directly in front of the starboard side operators console was ejected over the starboard side of V1 as it turned hard to port.
Operator seated at the operators starboard side console was ejected out near the port stern as V1 turned hard to port.
Both occupants were ejected into the water without injuries.

POST-ACCIDENT

Occupant and Operator were treading water after being ejected from V1. V1's engine shut down about 20 yards from where they landed in the water. V1 was north of both their positions and drifting north with the outgoing tide. Operator panicked and started thrashing about yelling he was going to drown. Occupant tried to calm Operator down telling him to remove some of his clothing and just to tread water. Occupant swam for V1 but couldn't catch up with V1. 
Two people were on Conch Island and heard Occupant yelling for help. Good sam used his jet-ski to rescue Occupant as he was floating north in Salt Run with the out-going tide. Occupant told Good sam about Operator and Good sam had other good sam call 911. Good sam and his brother assisted Occupant with searching for Operator. Rescue personnel arrived on scene and took over the search for Operator.
Operator was found in Salt Run in approximately three feet of water face down deceased after approximately a three hour search using water and air assets.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on evidence, statements and information gathered to date, I have concluded the following; there is insufficient information,evidence to support any conclusions indicating that Occupant and/or Operator may have violated any navigation rules or boating safety Florida Statutes during the operation of V1 at the time of the accident.  Furthermore, my inspection of V1 did not reveal any evidence of damage, equipment/machinery malfunctions, or general deficiencies of the vessel itself.  This concludes my investigation.




ST. AUGUSTINE                 