On May 11th 2013, I Officer was dispatched to a reported boating accident at Duck Key, FL.  The incident was reported to FWC dispatch at approximately 1354hrs, and I arrived on scene at approximately 1456hrs.

Upon arrival at Duck Key Marina, I met with the reporting party who had been alerted to a vessel striking a boat lift at a residence he is the property manager at.  He was informed by a subject, that a vessel named 'Joans Buoy' had struck a boat lift, and had continued on towards the main marina dockage.  Subject had located the vessel at the marina, and observed it until my arrival.

I met with the vessel operator, and his one passenger.  I informed Operator who I was, and that I was going to conduct an investigation into a reported boating accident, and I read Operator his Miranda Rights before asking him any questions.  Operator informed he had just made a turn into the channel leading to Duck Key Marina, and came into a head on situation with a vessel leaving the channel.  He informed me there was not enough room to pass safely, and was trying to hold position, to allow the outbound vessel room to pass by and exit the channel.  A combination of wind and current pushed Operator vessel to his port side, resulting in a collision with a boat lift.  Once the outbound vessel had passed, Operator continued on to his dockage at the marina.

I collected a signed witness statement from Operator, as well as Subject, and the witness to the incident.  I took multiple pictures of the damage to Operator vessel, which was a large gouge along the port stern.  I also took multiple pictures of the damage to the boat lift.
MARATHON