On 12/03/2013 at approximately 1430  hours I, Officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, was on routine in Glades County when I received a call about a vessel waking another vessel and causing damage. The complainant, off duty Hendry County Deputy, advised that the vessel was east bound on the Caloosahatchee River from Labelle. 

      At this time I went to Ortona Locks to catch up with the suspected vessel. The vessel identified by U.S documented name Kathryn B was locking through at Ortona upon my arrival. I spoke with the captain of the vessel and advised him to return to Labelle wake zone, where the accident occurred. Deputy then met with me back at Labelle boat ramp to fill out a sworn statement on what had occurred. Upon the arrival of the vessel, Kathryn B, I spoke with the captain, and explain to him that as captain of the vessel he was responsible for the wake his vessel produced. Operator1 stated he understood and was unaware that it had caused any damage. Apparently due to the larger size of Operator1's vessel and the speed in which witnesses stated he was going Operator1's wake caused vessel2 to hit the dock in which it was tied to and punctured the port side near the bow. 

      After I received sworn statements from Owner2 as well as other witnesses in the area I felt there was enough probable cause that Operator1 was driving carelessly and caused damage to Owner2's vessel from his wake. Operator1 was then issued a careless operation citation. The vessel owners then exchanged information to have resolve the damage issue to Owner2s vessel.
LA BELLE