RedactedNarrative: As we were preparing for a day of water patrol I was approached by operator who stated that he was involved in a boating accident on January 22, 2022, at approximately 5:00 PM and wanted to report the incident. Operator stated that he was motoring his vessel, a 26’ light blue center counsel, on Snake Creek channel heading towards the ocean when he saw a large, white Sportfish vessel with a large tower on plane at a high rate of speed taking up the entire channel. Operator further stated that as he was approaching green marker # 5 when the large vessel pushed his vessel into the marker causing his vessel’s starboard side to collide with the rusty piling.  Operator did not attempt to wave down or radio the Sportfish at the time of the collision. 
  
  After the collision Operator turned his vessel around and started to head back towards the bayside. As he went under the Snake Creek bridge he noticed a vessel, that fit the speeding vessels description, unloading at the IslaMarina docks. He believed it to be the same vessel that he passed in the channel, but again did not contact the vessel’s occupants or operator. Operator proceed to return to dock and remove the vessel from the water. At some point Operator had a boat repair man estimate that the damage incurred would cost approximately $3500 to repair. Operator provided a sworn written statement of the events detailed above. 
  
  After concluding our conversation with Operator, Investigator and I operated our vessel to the Snake Creek channel oceanside to investigate, photograph, and document the exact location of the channel marker that was struck. I texted photos of green marker number 5 and the GPS coordinates for Operator to confirm the location of the accident. He concurred that was the marker that he collided with. 
  
  In addition, we stopped by the IslaMarina docks to see if the marina employees could provide any information on a white Sportfish that would have been unloading on the previous day at approximately 5:00 PM. The employees stated that captain of a white Sea Vee, was at the dock around the time of the incident at hand and that his vessel could potentially fit the description provided by Operator. 
  
  On January 24, 2022, I made contact with Captain who runs a 39’ Sea Vee named “Valor” out of IslaMarina. Subject1 stated he was notified by Captain that a light blue Everglades made contact with a channel maker as Subject1 navigated his vessel through the Snake Creek channel on January 22nd. Subject2 was following the “Valor” into Snake Creek channel on the same date and time of the accident and witnessed the Everglades make contact with the channel marker. Subject1 stated he remembered passing the Everglades but did not recall anything out of the ordinary. Subject1 was operating the Sea Vee at its normal cruising speed, on the right side of the channel, and was cognizant of the vessel traffic traveling out towards the ocean. Subject1 was unaware of any collision and passed the Everglades with what he considered a safe distance between the two vessels. 
  
  I subsequently made contact with Subject2 who witnessed the accident. Subject2 stated he saw the Everglades take a wide turn and make contact with marker 5. Subject2 did not see any significant damage to the Everglades and no injured parties as he drove past. Subject2 stated the “Valor” was on the right side of the channel and passed the Everglades with approximately 30 feet of space between the two vessels. Subject2 did not believe the “Valor” was traveling too fast or too close to the oncoming vessel traffic.
  