Vessel 1 struck the Walsingham Bridge causing $3,000.00 worth of damage to the vessel

 Vessel 1 was heading south down the ICW on the port side of the channel (east side) at approximately 30 MPH, in violation of  slow speed zone. As vessel 1 approached the bridge it came into a head-on situation with an unknown vessel travailing north up the ICW on the starboard side of the channel (also the east side). Vessel 1 maneuvered hard to port striking the northeast side of the bridge, outside the channel, midship, starboard side of the vessel. Vessel 1 sustained fiberglass damage to the hull, above and below the waterline. Vessel 1 also tore off most of the rub rail on the starboard side. No one in Vessel 1 was injured and they continued south down the ICW. USCG intercepted the vessel a short distance from the bridge and took the vessel in tow to assess the situation. Vessel 1 began to take on water and the USGC towed the vessel approximately 1/4 mile back to the rental company. 

  The rental company dewatered the vessel, put it on a trailer and brought it back to the rental company. The damage was photographed and the operator was issued a citation for careless operation.

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH            