RedactedNarrative: On February, 8, 2015 at approximately 1330 hrs., (Owner/Operator) and (Occupant) were traveling Northwest on the Rim Canal toward Clewiston.  Approximately one mile Southeast of Clewiston, they met another vessel traveling away from them.  Operator attempted to overtake the vessel at a high rate of speed, lost control in the wake and hit the rocks that line the bottom edge of the levee.  After hitting the rocks, the boat continued to travel approximately another thirty yards and came to rest on land above the rock line in the upright position.
  
  We made contact with the owner at Roland Martin's Marina.  He provided a Sworn Written Statement and I assessed his injuries.  He had a fish hook in his right ring finger and complained of his ribs hurting.  He refused medical treatment and stated, "I worked in the Operating Room in Lakeland and will go there to get checked out."  I asked about his passenger who had already left the scene.  He stated that "occupant complained of his ribs hurting and that he had already gone home."  I was provided occupant's phone number to contact him later.
  
  I asked Operator to explain what happened.  He stated, "I tried to pass another boat heading in the same direction, a big boat, but lost control in the wake and hit the rocks."  I asked him how fast he was going and he stated, "About 50 mph."  Operator had already called a tow truck, so Officers and I met Operator and the tow truck driver at the gate to Army Corps. of Engineers to escort them to the vessel via the levee. 
  
  Once on scene, I took photos, of all safety equipment, position of the vessel, damage to the vessel, and path of travel.   I found two Personal Flotation Devices, one whistle, and one expired fire extinguisher.  The vessel traveled approximately thirty yards after contact with the first rock indicated by the displaced and scuffed rocks along the path of travel. 
  
  I made contact with occupant by phone on 02/11/2015 at approximately 18:15 hrs.  He had just returned from his follow up doctor's appointment and confirmed that he had one broken rib and a bruised back.  I asked Occupant to explain the accident.  He stated, “We were traveling towards Clewiston on the Rim Canal and attempted to pass a large boat but Operator lost control in the wake and hit the levee.”  I asked about how fast were you going and he stated, “We were going 70 mph when we hit the wake, my driver never got off the throttle.”
  
  The second vessel creating the wake did not stop.  It is unclear whether or not the operator of the vessel was aware of Operator attempting to pass.  There was not enough information provided to determine the owner of the second vessel.  Given the location of the accident and while a contributing factor, the wake being created by the larger vessel would not have been a violation.  Had Operator slowed enough to safely pass through the wake, the accident could have been avoided.
  
  Operator was issued one citation for careless operation of a vessel resulting in a boating accident ( F.S. 327.33(2)) and one warning for an expired fire extinguisher (F.S. 327.50(1)(a), 46CFR25.30-20).  I explained the fine associated with the citation, as well as how and when it must be paid.  I provided Operator with a business card with the offense number for his records.
  Operator was hooked in the right ring finger by a fishing hook during the accident.  He also complained of sore ribs but refused medical treatment. Operator was later diagnosed with three broken ribs after having x-rays.; Occupant confirmed that he had a broken rib and bruised back from the accident.
   