RedactedNarrative: On Tuesday, June 9, 2018, at approximately 1633 (4:33PM) I was on patrol in Manatee County when I was dispatched to a reported vessel accident that had occurred at CORTEZ BRIDGE both vessels were then docked at BRADENTON BEACH MARINA with no injuries to any parties. 
  
  Upon arrival at the BRADENTO BEACH MARINA I made contact with the operators (later identified by GEORGIA and FLORIDA Identification Cards as OPERATOR 1 VESSEL 1 and OPERATOR 2 VESSEL 2). Both OPERATOR 1 and OPERATOR 2 agreed to provide voluntary recorded sworn statements that were each taken utilizing the agency issued RECORDED STATEMENT OUTLINE. OPERATOR 1 was operating VESSEL 1 (later identified by GA Registration as a 24ft Parks Multi-color open motorboat) and OPERATOR 2 was operating VESSEL 2 (later identified by FL Registration as a 22ft Proline white cabin motorboat). 
  
  In his recorded statement OPERATOR 1 explained that his vessel was headed south in the Inter Costal Waterway about to cross under the Cortez Bridge. As the vessel had entered a marked slow speed zone OPERATOR 1 said that he reduced the speed of the vessel to comply with the posted speed zone reducing the vessel to a speed that brought the vessel’s bow (front) down and provided just enough speed to maintain steerage of the vessel. It was then that OPERATOR 1 said, “I turned around just in time to see the bottom of the boat coming right at me”, upon identifying the vessel rapidly approaching him OPERATOR 1 said, “then I threw the throttle forward and got away as fast as I could… it was by the grace of god that I got out of there”.  After giving his sworn recorded statement OPERATOR 1 showed the damage to his vessel which included the complete destruction of his starboard (right) power pole which the connection to the vessel had been completely sheared off showing blue exposed wires and leaving the power pole floating in the water connected only by wires to the vessel, white paint transfer and scuffing to the vessel engine cover, and scuffing and white paint transfer to the vessel antenna. All damage to OPERATOR 1’s vessel were photographed and documented. 
  
  In OPERATOR 2’s recorded statement, he explained that he was returning from PALMA SOLA BAY headed south in the Inter Costal Waterway operating his vessel at approximately 25 MPH. OPERATOR 2 went on to explain that a vessel on his left was getting to close and he maneuvered to his right reducing speed slightly. It was then that the vessel in front of him in OPERATOR 2’s words, “came to a sudden stop and no one on the boat was looking backwards”. OPERATOR 2 then said that he was, “sucked in” by VESSEL 1’s wake which forced him to collide with VESSEL 1. Due to OPERATOR 2’s vessel being in the water I was unable to photograph any damage or paint transfer on the keel of the vessel.  
  
  OPERATOR 2’s collision with the rear of OPERATOR 1’s vessel was a violation of F.S. 327.33 VIOLATION OF NAVIGATION RULES RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, the rule violated was FAILURE TO AVOID COLLISION. OPERATOR 2 was issued a citation for this violation upon signing and receiving a copy of the citation OPERATOR 2 said, “I knew I was going to get a ticket it’s my fault for hitting them from behind”. OPERATOR 2 was also issued a warning for an expired vessel registration. 
   
  END OF REPORT NO FURTHER ACTION TAKEN.
  