RedactedNarrative: On March 19, 2022, Florida Vessel FL0979KP was leaving a canal into forty acre bay near Saint James City. The vessel was put up on plane and a short while later the operator had difficulty with the steering. The operator turned the wheel sharply to the port side when the vessel then turned sharply to the port side. The vessel struck the mangroves ejecting one of the occupants and injuring all three of the occupants.
  
  On March 21, 2022, I went to Gulf Coast Hospital to speak to Operator. Operator was still having some difficulty breathing so he was able to talk but very little. I asked Operator if he was driving the boat and he explained yes. I then asked him what happened and he said that as he left the canal he put the boat on plane, approximately 25-30 miles per hour (mph), due to the shallow water. He continued explaining that he tried to steer the vessel and the steering wasn’t responding. He continued saying that he tried to steer it further to the port side when the steering finally worked it jerked the vessel hard to the port side and into the mangroves. He said Subject1 remained in the vessel, however Subject2 was ejected to the starboard side. Due to his difficulty speaking I did not ask Operator any further questions. 
  
  I then called and spoke with Subject1. I asked Subject1 what happened and he explained, he was sitting next to Operator who was driving. He continued saying Subject2 was sitting on a cooler in front of the console. When they left the canal he explained Operator put the vessel up on plane, he estimated 35 – 40 mph. He continued explaining a short while later he heard Operator say the steering wasn’t working and that he turned the wheel further to the port side. He continued explaining that the vessel then turned sharply to the port side and they crashed into the mangroves. He explained Subject2 was ejected to the starboard side approximately 40 yards. He explained Subject2 injured her right shoulder and right side of her face as well as cuts on her leg. He explained that he suffered from a broken collar bone and bruised ribs. He explained that once the vessel hit the mangroves it settled aground there and they called 911. He estimated that approximately 45 minutes later EMS arrived on scene to assist them. 
  
  Based on the fact that the steering appeared to function normally while I was on scene it is hard to determine if a steering malfunction was the cause of the accident. Both Operator and Subject1 explained that the vessel was on plane when the accident occurred. Despite the discrepancy in the speed estimation, it is possible that high speed and the shallow narrow channel were contributing factors to the accident. It was low tide when the accident occurred and the average water depth of that area would have been approximately 1.5 feet or less at that time. With the vessel traveling at a high rate of speed to be able to navigate the shallow water, it is possible that not all of the prop would have been in the water and this could have caused a reduced ability to steer the vessel. With insufficient evidence to determine exactly what caused the accident no charges are being filed at this time.; victim2:injury to left shoulder and collar bone; operator:broken ribs and collapsed lungs; victim3:pain in right shoulder, back pain, numbness in right hand
  