RedactedNarrative: On March 3rd, 2021 at approximately 1800 hours I, Officer of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) responded to a boating accident involving an airboat vs a mud-boat that took place on the Econ river near Oviedo FL in Seminole County. 
  
  Before arriving on scene, I spoke with operator of 12’, silver in color, Home-made airboat (bearing Florida registration number FL9578RJ) (V2). Operator2 was involved in the accident and was the complainant that called in to report the crash. 
  
  Once on scene at the C.S Lee boat ramp at approximately 1800 hours, I observed a green 16’ Go Devil mud-boat bearing Florida Registration number FL7750HV (V1) that was pulled out of the water and was secured on a trailer in the parking lot. Seminole County Sheriff Deputies were present when I arrived. 
  
  Operator2 was out recreating with his mother, and his father-in-law on his airboat (V1) when this accident took place about an hour south on the Econ river. Operator2 was taking a sharp almost 180-degree (switchback in nature) turn in the river that is a blind corner due to ground elevation and vegetation/deadfall in and off the river. This turn veered to his port (left) side and contained two pieces of tree debris in the water on both sides. This debris in the river would require vessels to operate between them forcing the width of the navigable water to decrease immensely. 
  
  While operating through this turn Operator2 estimated his speed at about 20mph. As he hugged the inside of this curve and began exiting (see photo), he came into view of a small mud-boat (V2) approaching the curve. Operator1 observed V1 almost completely sideways while beginning to exit the curve at a high rate of speed. He estimated his own vessel speed between 14-15mph due to the limitations of his 23hp motor. Operator1 also estimated his distance to the V1 at approximately 20 yards. 
  
  Both Operator2 and Operator1 made an effort to avoid collision but seeing that a crash was imminent Operator2 accelerated toward the shoreline in order to beach his vessel on his port side (inside of the rivers curve). V1 was then struck on its starboard (right) portion of the bow (front) by V2’s starboard (right) bow (front section of vessel) as well. This impact caused Operator2 and both his passengers to be ejected from V1 onto dry land. 
  
  V2 subject suffered a contusion to his forearm but no medical was needed. 
  V1’s passenger was thrown forward toward the front of the aluminum vessel and received notable back injuries. After exchanging information V2 rushed back to C.S Lee where Seminole CO Fire and EMS transported her to the local hospital. 
  
  V1 also received additional damage to the cage and propeller on the starboard (right) portion of the stern (rear) from a tree after the initial impact. V2 had two large dents in his bow (front) on the starboard (right) side. V1 was inoperable and was left at the scene. V1 occupants were able to find a ride back to C.S Lee boat ramp. 
  
  I then interviewed Operator2 passengers and received written statements from them on their observations of the accident. V1 subject was unable to be reached due to being checked into the hospital. 
  
  03/08/21, the following day of the crash, FWC Officer went out with Operator2 to photograph V1 in the daylight as well as perform a boating inspection. Operator2 was found to be lacking PFD’s, a sound producing device, and was also missing a HIN plate. 
  
  03/10/2
  