V1 was anchored on the Hernando Beach Flats in a small cove at Round Island, near marker 21.As a storm was approaching, V1 operator decided to pull the anchor and return to shore. An occupant who was standing near the stern of V1 fell overboard and was struck by the propeller of V1 causing serious bodily injury to her leg. The injured occupant was assisted by a good samaritan who was on V2 in the same cove as V1, by loading victim back into V1 and immediately transported to awaiting EMS at the Hernando Beach Boat Ramp. The injured occupant was subsequently transported to Bayonet Regional Medical Center in Hudson, FL and underwent surgery.
    Through several interviews from witnesses and the boat operator, I found the boat operator was in violation of Navigation rule- failure to have a look out, resulting in serious bodily injury.

The operator and the rest of the occupants had been drinking throughout the day however an arrest was not performed as the investigation did not provide for the operator being under the influence beyond legal limits.
victim WAS ADMITTED TO INTENSIVE CARE UNIT WITH SEVERE TRAUMA TO LEFT LEG. BOAT PROPELLER CAUSED BONE, TISSUE LIGAMENT,CARTILAGE AND MUSCLE DAMAGE. INITIAL SERGURY INCLUDED USAGE OF METAL RODS AND PINS TO BE PLACED IN VICTIMS LEG. DUE TO RISK OF INFECTION INITIAL WOUNDS WERE DRESSED BUT LEFT OPEN.
HERNANDO BEACH