On 6/17/2013 at approximately 1700 Operator was operating a PWC with passenger.  Operator hit a large wave which changed his PWC's direction towards a day marker.  Both struck the marker and sustained injuries.

On 6/17/2013 while on land patrol I was made aware directly by USCG Key West of a PWC accident in Key West Harbor.  Coast Guard advised that a PWC with two occupants collided with a day marker resulting in injuries to both the operator and occupant.  I met with the owner of Barefoot Billy's, the livery that rented the PWC, and obtained witness statements from the guide of the jet ski tour and from the sons girlfriend.  Neither party witnessed the accident but did assist in rescue efforts after the collision.  After photographing the vessel which sustained substantial damage to the forward aspect of the PWC I met with the operator and occupant of the PWC at Lower Keys Medical Center. Operator stated that he was following the tour guide in a single file line all the way in the back because he did not want to go too fast.  Operator also stated that as he neared the first day marker of the channel he struck a large wave which changed the course of his direction towards the day marker.  He said he was approximately twenty five feet away from the marker before he hit the wave.  After he struck the wave he stated that he had no time to change the path of the PWC before collision.  Operator stated that he hit the handlebars and ejected over the PWC missing the marker.  occupant stated she was ejected and struck her left side on the marker.

As stated in the witness statements, the collision was witnessed by a nearby vessel.   I spoke to captain of vessel on the phone and he stated that he did not witness the collision but he did witness the PWC before and after the accident.  He stated that the PWC was following in the rear of the tour.  The PWC hit the wake of the PWC in front of him.  Captain stated that he believes that after the PWC hit the wake the PWC then hit the day marker.  No charges to the operator or livery.
Operator sustained deep abrasions to his left thigh.  No loss of conciousness.  See photo.; occupant sustained a fractured left wrist and abrasions to her left hand, hip, and ankle.  She also had a left eye contusion and lower back pain.  No loss of conciousness.  See photo.
KEY WEST