On May 26, 2012 at approximately 2100 hours I, Officer, received a call from dispatch about a boating accident that occurred approximately three (3) hours earlier in an area known as Quietwater Beach in Escambia County.  I was advised that a female subject had been transported to Gulf Breeze Hospital.  

Upon my arrival at Gulf Breeze Hospital, I identified the victim.  Operator stated that she was returning her rental PWC to Key Sailing when she hit a large wave and was ejected.  She advised that she was ejected off the rear of the PWC.  She advised that she did not strike the PWC as she was ejected.  Operator stated that her rib area was hurting after her impact with the water.   

Operator was given pain medicine at the hospital, held for observation, and released the next day.  I went to Operator's relatives house in Gulf Breeze and received a witness statement from her.  She stated that she had no more pain from the vessel accident.

Based on the investigation, it was determined that Operator's level of experience operating a PWC was the leading contributor to the accident.  Operator was operating the PWC in congested waters at a rate of speed that was beyond her level of experience.  

Operator was given a verbal warning for unsafe speed.;Operator had pain in her rib area after her fall from the PWC.  She was treated with pain medicine at the hospital and released.

PENSACOLA                     