On December 8th, 2012, I was dispatched and responded to a vessel accident located at the south end of Peck Lake approximately 300 yards south of channel marker 15.  This area is located within the Intercostal Waterway, Hobe Sound, Florida.

     Upon my arrival, I was met by Martin County Marine Unit Sheriff's Deputy.  Deputy provided me with the reporting party information.  Deputy advised the operator of the vessel was transported to Martin Memorial Hospital South by an unidentified boater. 

     At the scene, I observed a capsized vessel white in color bearing Florida registration FL 7175 KA.  The capsized vessel was facing west with the engine's lower unit to the east above the waters surface.  The weather conditions were documented to be cloudy, light winds, flat waters with natural river currents.

     I made contact with the reporting person.  Reporting individual advised he seen a boat traveling in wide circles at approximately fifteen miles per hour, which appeared to be unmanned.  Reporting individual then saw a person (Operator), in the water waving his arms and yelling for help.  At this time, Reporting individual advised an unidentified boater rescued Operator from the water and transported him to the hospital.  Reporting individual advised it appeared the vessel hit a sandbar or wake, went upright out of the water then capsized. Reporting individual advised he did not see how Operator ended up in the water.

     Officer of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to Martin Memorial South and spoke with Operator.  During that time, Officer obtained a sworn written statement from Operator along with several photos of the injury.  The injury, identified as a v-shape laceration approximately one and a half inches by one inch was located on the outside of the left ankle.  X-ray imagery also proved Operator sustained a chipped ankle bone.  At the hospital, Officer was provided the contact information for the rescuing party.

     In the written statement obtained by Officer, Operator advised he was traveling south along the intercostal Waterway at the south end of Peak Lake.  Operator then turned his boat to the left at fifteen to twenty miles per hour in an attempt to head north.  While in the turning phase, Operator was ejected out of the right side/starboard side of his vessel due to the positioning of his weight.  The laceration then took place as the boat, which was traveling in circles, made a direct path towards Operator.  Operator dived under the waters surface to avoid contact with the vessel.  At this time, the prop of the vessel made contact with Operator's left ankle.   

     I made contact with the rescuing party.  In a statement gathered from Good sam, Good sam advised he and his wife saw an unmanned vessel traveling in circles just west of the channel.  Good sam advised the vessel appeared to be traveling at a slow to normal speed.  Good sam then saw a person in the water waving his hands and yelling for help.  Good sam approached Operator, rescuing him from the water, and transported him to Martin Memorial South.  Good sam advised Operator was not wearing a life jacket.

Injures sustained by Operator included a v-shaped laceration approximately one and a half inches by one inch located at the left outside ankle bone.  X-ray imagery also proved Operator's left ankle bone to be chipped.

HOBE SOUND                    