RedactedNarrative: A witness reported he saw a vessel strike a green channel marker in Key West Harbor.  The witness pointed out the vessel and we conducted an investigation/inspection of the vessel.  The operator failed to immediately report the accident to law enforcement.
  
   I noticed significant damage to the bow of the vessel. When I asked what he hit, Operator1 said, "I bumped off of a marker". Paint and fiberglass transfer and a scuff were evident of the marker bouy. There were six other people on the vessel. The other five people were guests at Harborside Marina in Key West. During the vessel stop, the five occupants complained Operator1 almost killed them and wanted to get off of the boat. 
  
  They asked if we could give them a ride home.  They said he was not capable of driving the boat and wanted to get off.  Operator1 said he was having trouble with 2 of the 3 engines on his boat and had stopped in Key West Harbor to fix them.  He said that everyone was in front of him on the boat and they obstructed his view and he just didn't see the channel marker.  Operator1 reported he glanced off the side of the marker at slow speed.  I informed Operator1 of his responsibility to report the accident to law enforcement.  When  asked Operator1 why he didn't report hitting the channel marker, he replied he didn't know he had to. 
  
  As a result of the accident, I issued Operator1 Uniform Boating Citations for the following offenses:
  
  Criminal Violation: 
  -V666720:  f.s. 327.30(5) LEAVING THE SCENE OF A BOATING ACCIDENT WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE PERSON AFFECTED AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
  
  Infractions:
  -V666719: f.s. 327.33(3) VIOLATION OF NAVIGATION RULES RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT (FIRST OFFENSE)
  -V666721: f.s. 327.50(1)(a) NO SERVICEABLE VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS
  -V666722: f.s. 327.50(1)(a) NO FIRE EXTINGUISHER (improperly stored, not securely mounted)
  -V666723: f.s. 328.48(4) NO REGISTRATION ON BOARD
  -V666724: f.s. 327.50(1)(a) NO SOUND PRODUCING DEVICE (INTERNATIONAL)After I concluded the Boating Accident Investigation, Officer conducted a Boating Under the Influence Investigation.  Operator1 was subsequently arrested and charged with Boating Under the Influence.
  