RedactedNarrative: A rental PWC was being operated by a customer while underway the PWC exploded ejecting the operated and passenger resulting in minor injuries.
  
  On April 16th 2022 I Officer was dispatched to a boating accident with injuries. The accident occurred behind the Sterling Reef Condo in the Gulf of Mexico. The accident occurred at approximately 330 PM in Bay County, Florida.
  
  Two subjects a Male and Female had rented a PWC from Panhandle Watersports in Panama City Beach. They were identified as Operator and Occupant1. Upon launching the PWC and while floating on the waters of the state the vessel would not start. Operator stated he tried to start the vessel several times while depressing the throttle. Operator then heard an explosion and was ejected from the vessel. The vessel then caught fire. The vessel was heavily burned and later extinguished by Bay County Fire. Occupant1 the rear passenger was also ejected from the vessel by the explosion.
  
   Both were wearing PFD's and were pulled from the water by good Samaritan. Occupant1 sustained minor burns to the back of her calves and thighs. Operator sustained minor burns to the rear of his calves. Both subjects refused EMS treatment. Both subjects were interviewed by myself after the accident. 
  
  The livery operator was interviewed as well. He stated that just prior to the rental he fueled the PWC with gasoline. From the time of the vessel launching, his account mirrored Operator's. 
  
  Upon inspection of the PWC post explosion, I noted a heavy fuel smell in the bilge. The explosion had blown out the stern of the vessel. The explosion had shifted the fuel tank from it's factory location. It should also be noted that the battery was located in the rear of the PWC where the explosion originated.  
  The PWC was a total loss.
  