Vessel one (V-1) with operator and one occupant were recreational cruising just south of Seddon Channel. V-1 heading in a southerly direction and struck a Range Marker causing an injury to the operator and causing  serious bodily injuries to the occupant.  The victim was transported by V-1 operator to Tampa General Hospital in Tampa
V1 with operator and one occupant were recreational cruising in Tampa Bays Seddon Channel looking at the lights on the Hillsborough River  bridges after attending the Saint Patrick's Day Parade. Operator was standing / leaning on the operator's  leaning post behind the helm and Occupant was seated on the starboard side on the Sponson with her legs inside V1 facing Operator. After looking at the lights, Operator continued cruising southbound in Seddon Channel enroute to Pine Key Island. After exiting the idle speed zone at the mouth of Seddon Channel, Operator increased his speed bringing V1 on a plane. Note: the cruising speed to be approximately 27 to 30 miles per hour. 
While maintaining the above mentioned speed, V1 struck (glancing) a Range Marker on its starboard bow.  This resulted in Operator flying forward into the console, striking the T-top bar with his right shoulder, and accelerating the throttle. Occupant struck what is believed to be the Range Marker that threw her onto the starboard aft portion of V1's deck causing serious bodily injury.
After the accident, Operator throttled down to neutral, located Occupant who was now on the starboard aft portion of the deck with serious bodily injuries, and gave her a quick check-over. After accessing Occupant's injuries, Operator turned V1 around and immediately headed towards Tampa General Hospital via water. Operator called Med-Com from his cellular phone in order to have medics at the Tampa General Hospital dock upon arrival. Upon arrival, medics were waiting to tend to Occupant's injuries. Occupant was admitted to the hospital with a broken right knee, broken right Femur, (3) broken right ribs, broken right forearm, broken jaw, broken nose, and a laceration on her right facial cheek. Operator was later admitted and suffered a broken right shoulder. Emergency personnel (911) was never notified at the time of the accident however; a Tampa Police Officer was on-scene and contacted our agency (FWC) and informed us of this vessel accident.
TAMPA