I ofc. and ofc.,while on state water patrol, were dispatched to a s4b(boat accident) that had occurred on the rim canal near Nubbin Slough. When we arrived on scene we were met by Okeechobee County Sheriff Deputies that had received a call of a hit dock. They told us that they received a call from subject that her dock had been hit by a boat the night before. She gave them a description of the vessel which they believe to had struck the dock. So the deputies had responded the following day and while looking for the suspect vessel, they found a vessel that didn't fit the description of the suspect vessel but had fresh damage to the front starboard side and had paint transfer which was similar paint to that of the dock which was hit. After we met with the deputies they then turned it over to us. Myself and Ofc. tried to make contact with the owner of the vessel that afternoon but weren't able to. We then went back the following day on 5/27/13 and were able to make contact with the owner of the vessel. After post-mirandizing Operator he agreed to talk to me and ofc.. He admitted to hitting the dock and that he thought it was an old dock and didn't go back to the owner of the dock to tell them he had hit it. I then had Operator fill out a sworn statement writing down everything that happened on the night of the accident, including what he was doing prior to the accident, and afterwards what he did and didn't do. Upon further investigation of the striking vessel, it received damage to the front starboard side, including the deck and pontoon. Estimated cost of damages to the vessel are approximately $1000.00.  The dock also received damage including broken boards and broken pile-on's. Estimated cost of damages to the dock are approximately $2000.00.
OKEECHOBEE