RedactedNarrative: While fishing at stern of vessel, operator misstepped and fell. Resulting rib/back injury was located on lower right side. 
  
  While on water patrol, Inv. and I encountered the operator and vessel 1, a yellow in color Maverick, slowly traveling southbound in the ICW near marker #30. The operator, after seeing us, began to wave a white in color towel. After noticing the operator waving the white in color towel, I maneuvered my vessel towards his. While along side, the operator, who appeared to be in pain, stated that he had just fallen in his vessel while fishing alone. The operator stated that he was fishing near some oyster bars just north of the Blackburn Point bridge when he misstepped and fell. The operator stated that he fell on his right side and was in pain. He also stated that he did not feel that he could operate his vessel back towards the boat ramp in Nokomis. At that point, Inv. boarded his vessel and, following my vessel, took the operator to the Southbay Yacht Club, located at 1400 Southbay Dr., in Osprey, while operating the victim's vessel. Once at the Southbay Yacht Club, Sarasota County EMS arrived after being contacted by FL FWCC dispatch. Shortly thereafter, the victim was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. ; Operator sustained unknown injury to lower right side of rib/back area. Operator complained of pain and was transported to hospital by Sarasota County EMS.