RedactedNarrative: single vessel accident with injuries sustained to lone operator from vessel impacting the shoreline and trees along shore.
  
  the owner and operator of the vessel claimed to be heading down river (toward Stuart) from the Port Saint Lucie Blvd bridge. He stated that he was approximately 100 yards behind a vessel ahead of him and was caught in the other vessels wake. He stated that he tried to turn out of the wake but that the steering did not respond. Operator claimed there was air in the hydraulic line of his steering. Operator stated that his speed was "almost stopped. When I asked him for an actual speed estimation, Operator stated less than 10 knots. Operator stated that he reduced throttle while trying to turn the vessel. Operator stated that prior to attempting evasive steering, his boat was 30 yards from the mangroves and shore. When questioned about his boating experience, Operator claimed to have over 100 hours of boating experience in general and 50 hours on the vessel he wrecked that morning. Operator also stated that he took a boating safety course when he was a kid. He could not advise who provided the training or show proof. At the end of the interview, Operator admitted that he had been advised by his mechanic that the steering had a leak and that he should have it fixed.  Operator stated that he was aware of the problem and did not think it was serious and could be handled by continually adding hydraulic fluid to the steering. Operator acknowledged that the steering issue should have been fixed and that his inattention to the steering contributed to the crash.
  
  Based on the interview and evidence obtained on scene I find the following:
  Speed and poor maintenance were the major contributing factors to this crash. Due to the final resting position of the vessel in the trees, I do not believe Operators estimate of 10 knots to be accurate.; 
  
  Operator sustained lacerations to head and face due to impact with wooded river bank and subsequently being thrown over the console of his vessel. The worse injury appears to be a laceration to his right eye lid and a possible cornea abrasion to the right eye (According to the staff at Saint Lucie Medical Center) Medical Staff advised that the operator would be transferred to Lawnwood Medical Center so that a specialist could treat his eye and eyelid. Medical staff at Saint Lucie Medical Center advised his injuries were not life threatening.
  