RedactedNarrative: A livery vessel that was being operated by an underage operator, was involved in a single vessel accident that resulted in minor injuries to both the operator and passenger (13 & 15 years old)
  
  I asked Guide if he could fill me in on the accident details before going to pick up the jet ski, and he told me what he knew.  He was leading a group of three jet skis through "Robbie's Wheel Ditch"  in a NE to SW direction when he slowed down in the ditch due to another vessel (not with the tour group) they had caught up with, was idling in front of them.  When Guide came off plane to idle speed he looked back to observe his group and saw one of the jet ski' in the mangroves.  -  When Guide came off of plane, so did the two single riders behind him, however, the last vessel  didn't slow down in time, and to avoid hitting the jet ski in front of her, she turned hard to starboard and went into the mangroves.
  
  Operator and her passenger Occupant sustained minor injuries in the crash, most of which were lacerations between the shoulders and knees of both girls on their right side.  Operator is 13 years old and is by Florida Law, to young to be operating any jet ski on waters within the state of Florida: FS 327.39(5). Operator's DOB is clearly stamped on her NASBLA boaters ID card; the card presented to Islander Watersports by Operators mother.
  
  Two subjects both have their Livery Vessel Operator certificate from the state Florida; the family have been coming to the Florida Keys and this livery specifically, "for years".  At the time of the rental, subject2, who is much more familiar with the family  was not on site, subject3 secured and returned the boaters ID cards to the operators, and then gave the operators of the tour a safety briefing before departing for the tour.
  
  Somehow Operators age never came up in conversation with the livery, as per the family during my interview with them, however, the responsibility as to whom may operate a jet ski lies with the livery, FS 327.54 (2), a livery must be presented with credentials by a would be operator showing they are of age to operate (in this case) a jet ski.  During my investigation, subject3 gave me copies of all the paperwork the operators and (mother) signed.  I noticed there were no copies of anyone's boaters ID cards and had asked subjects in the very begining of the investigation if they had copies of the cards; both men stated that the operators were in possession of the required boaters ID cards.
   
  