On December 28th 2012, I Officer responded to a report of two vessels involved in an accident in Boot Key Harbor, Marathon FL.

Upon arrival, it was quickly established from both owners of the vessels, that a sailboat had collided with the stern of a moored center console vessel, and it was apparent that a costly repair would be needed.

On December 28th 2012, I Officer responded to a boating accident in Boot Key Harbor, Marathon FL.

Upon arrival I saw a small center console vessel moored at a dock, and a sail boat tied up towards the stern of the center console.  After talking to both parties, I received the same information from both owner/operators.  The operator of the sail boat had been underway, heading along the channel, when she become entangled in some lines, and had looked away from their direction of travel.  While trying to remove the lines around her feet the sail boat collided with the moored center console.  The owner of the center console had been sitting on the balcony of his condo, and witnessed it happen.

The striking vessel was identified as FL5149NZ, and the struck vessel was identified as MD0849BZ.

I documented the damage with multiple pictures, and had the operator of the striking vessel complete a witness statement, as well as the owner of the struck vessel.

I issued the operator of the striking vessel a citation for careless operation, and she signed for the citation, saying she understood the citation instructions.  At no time did she contest the accident.

When I left the scene, the owner of the struck vessel was arranging to get an estimate for the repairs at Marathon Boat Yard.
MARATHON                      