RedactedNarrative: SYNOPSIS
  On March 13th, 2021, at approximately 2000 hours, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) responded to a boat accident on East Lake Tohopekaliga near Chisholm park in Osceola County. Vessel one was a 33’ Avanti silver cuddy cabin aluminum hull boat that had 4 occupants. Vessel two was a 19’ Dolphin blue center console boat with 6 occupants. Vessel one was anchored with navigation and anchor lights on facing East approximately a half mile off the shoreline of Chisholm park. Vessel two was heading North on the lake when it struck the starboard side bow of vessel one and deflected off. One occupant from vessel one was seen by EMS at the boat ramp for central back pain. The estimated damage to vessel one is approximately $1500-2000. The estimated damage to vessel two is approximately $500-1000. 
  FWC received a call that two vessels were involved in a boating accident on East Lake Tohopekaliga at approximately 2000 hours. Once on scene I observed vessel one on the South side docks and vessel two on the North side dock of the Chisholm park boat ramp. I ran both vessels through dispatch, and both were identified as:
  Vessel 1: 1999 33’ Avanti Aluminum Hull
  Vessel 2: 1973 19’ Dolphin center console 
  I met with OP1 and he advised me that he was on vessel one anchored approximately a half mile to the West of Chisholm park with his three grandsons and that they were going to camp out. He advised me that he made sure that all of his navigational lights were functional and working and that his all around 360-degree light was working and on at the time of the accident. OP1 showed me that all his lights were functional and working. OP1 stated that he didn’t hear anything before the accident happened, and that his three grandsons were inside the cuddy cabin portion of the vessel when they were struck. 
  I spoke with one of OP1’s grandsons. He advised me that him and two other passengers were all inside the cuddy cabin when vessel two struck them. After the initial impact, he advised me they didn’t know what happened, so they went out onto the deck to see.
  I spoke with the operator of vessel two OP2 to receive his side of the story. OP2 advised me that they were headed back to their house in Fells cove after eating at the restaurant on the South side of East Lake Tohopekaliga. OP2 stated that they were traveling North across the lake at approximately 20-25mph when they struck vessel one with their bow. OP2 stated that he couldn’t tell the difference between OP1’s all around 360 light from the house lights while looking North. 
  Another passenger was also standing at the console with OP2 while the other 4 occupants were sitting at the rear transom of the vessel bundled up due to the temperatures. He advised me that he couldn’t make out vessel one’s all around 360 light from the background lights as well. 
  After the accident had occurred OP2 stated that they circled back around to make sure everyone was ok and advised them that they weren’t leaving. OP2 then stated that they helped vessel one get back to the boat ramp.
  
  I issued OP2 a warning for violation of a navigational rule resulting in an accident (1st violation)
  
  Pictures were taken of the damages to both vessels. OP1, OP2 and OP2 passenger all provided sworn written statements on their recollection of the incident.
  
  