RedactedNarrative: On 7/27/17 a vessel accident without any injuries occurred in Boca Ciega Bay when the mast of sailboat struck a drawbridge. The sailboat was being towed by a powerboat. The drawbridge was damaged upon impact, Knocking a light fixture off of the bridge, and also causing minor damage to the sailboat.
  
  The sailboat (later identified as a 1973 45' Columbia, Documentation # DO553296 was being hip towed by a smaller powerboat  (A 2007 21' Clearwater registration # FL 1948 NJ, that he had rented from Tierra Verde Marina). 
  
  Operator1 stated that he was tied off to the side of his sailboat with the rented powerboat, towing it to a shipyard for repairs. On board the sailboat was one person to tend the lines as Operator1 towed the vessel.
  
  At approximately 1300 hours Operator1 had called for a bridge (Structure "E") opening for around 1330. Operator1 continued toward Structure "E" and approached it to await the opening. As Operator1 neared the drawbridge he stated that he had become caught in the strong tidal current and could no longer control his vessels. The bridge tender( who provided an attached written report) noticed this and began to open the bridge, even though he was not able to contact Operator1 on his Marine radio for the opening which is standard. 
  
  Caught in the current pulling him under the bridge, the mast of Operator1's sailboat struck the drawbridge, damaging the mast, and knocking a large navigation light and metal housing off of the bridge which then landed on Operator1's sailboat.
  