RedactedNarrative: On Saturday, May 23rd, 2015, at approximately 1030 hours, Boating Accident #FWSW-15-OFF6691 occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. The accident occurred approximately 2 miles west of Madeira Beach, Florida and approximately 1 mile north of John's Pass. V1 (Wellcraft) was at anchor for recreational fishing purposes. V2 (Fairline) was traveling southeast along the coastline. V2 (Fairline) operator was a captain hired to operate vessel. V2 (Fairline) operator was operating the vessel in autopilot mode and failed to maintain proper lookout. V2 (Fairline) struck V1 (Wellcraft) bow on starboard side. V1 (Wellcraft) occupants swam away just before boating accident. No one was injured as a result of the boating accident. 
  
  2. Wellcraft was anchored at approximately 0900 hours. 
  3. Subjects were fishing. 
  4. At approximately 1020 hours, Subject noticed Fairline approaching from the northwest heading straight for Wellcraft starboard bow. 
  5. Operator1 started waving his hands. 
  6. Fairline did not alter course. 
  7. Operator1 did not believe V2 (Fairline) would stop or alter course in time to avoid collision. 
  8. Operator1 alerted V1 occupant and they swam away from V1 (Wellcraft). 
  9. Operator1 and V1 occupant were wearing United States Coast Guard approved non-inflatable type-II personal floatation devices. 
  10. Fairline collided with V1 (Wellcraft) starboard bow. 
  11. Fairline slowed and stopped after the collision with Wellcraft. 
  12. Wellcraft occupants swam back to and boarded Wellcraft. 
  13. The damage was severe and the vessel was inoperable. 
  14. Fairline severed Wellcraft's anchor line and Wellcraft went adrift. 
  15. Operator1 deployed his spare anchor to stop the vessel from drifting further out to sea. 
  16. Approximately 10 minutes after the collision, a small dinghy was launched from Fairline. 
  17. The operator of Fairline assisted V1 (Wellcraft) occupants and brought them to Fairline. 
  18. Fairline operator asked general questions to report to the United States Coast Guard and made sure Wellcraft occupants were all accounted for and sustained no injuries. 
  19. Fairline operator asked subject to handle accident recovery and subsequent reimbursement of damages without involving insurance companies. 
  20. Operator1 felt uncomfortable with the request and declined. 
  21. FWC Officer arrived on scene approximately 20 minutes after accident. 
  
  Operator1 was a member of Tow Boat U.S. so Officer Martin contacted Tow Boat U.S. for assistance with recovering the damaged vessel. Operator1 and his son were uninjured in the accident. 
  
  At approximately 1114 hours, United States Coast Guard personnel arrived on scene and began gathering information for their report. 
  
  At approximately 1123 hours, I questioned V1 occupant. V1 occupant stated he did not see Fairline until his father pointed it out. V1 occupant had no statement to add to the report. 
  
  At approximately 1128 hours, I initiated my interview with Operator2. Operator2 was compliant during questioning and showed no signs of impairment but refused to give a sworn written statement. Operator2 did read and sign the Miranda Rights section of the Sworn Written Statement and I ensured he understood his rights before questioning. I interviewed Operator2 and he stated the following: 
  1. Operator2 was hired by the vessel owner to captain the vessel on a one year cruising permit. 
  2. Fairline was owned by an Australian Citizen. 
  3. Operator2 was in control of the vessel at the time of the accident. 
  4. Fairline three other occupants were in the cabin area at the time of the accident. 
  5. Operator2 was driving Fairline from New Orleans, Louisiana to Naples, Florida. 
  6. Operator2 was operating Fairline in autopilot mode at the time of the accident. 
  7. Operator2 was focused on the vessel electronics and his iPad instead of the waters around Fairline.