RedactedNarrative: On June 20, 2022 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement was dispatched to St. Johns river and Reddie Point Preserve. The call was sent in by boating and waterways who had received an email by OP1, stating that when operating his vessel he hit a slow speed manatee sign and it fell off the pole, and the pole broke below the water line. He was concerned that it would create a navigation hazard to other boaters. 
  	Went out on JSO vessel to verify coordinates and sent them to boating and waterways. There was some confusion on what sign it was. A few days later went back out and verified again and sent coordinates again to boating and water ways. They also stated cost to replace sign would be $10,000.00.
  	Made contact with OP1. He stated that he was operating his vessel home from the downtown area, and the oil alarm went off on the vessel he looked down and lost sight of the sign, and his GPS was not working properly. He looked up hit the port side bow of vessel against the pole of the manatee sign and the vessel kept going straight. He looked back the sign was in the water and the poles were below the water line. 
  	Called and spoke with wife who stated and gave permission to come by and take photos of the vessel for reports, but that OP1 would not be home. Went and took photos using agency issued camera. The only damage was to fiberglass on front of vessel in which he stated will cost less than 200.00 to fix and will fix himself. 
  	Tried to make contact several times and left messages to get information and statement to finish report with no call backs. Went by residence and was able to meet OP1. written statement is attached, body camera was used. 
  	On the day of accident, the river current was calm along with light wind. Sun was setting, OP1 stated he has over 100 hours on vessel and was the only person on vessel at time of accident. There were no cameras in area to see accident or witness. 
  	OP1 was issued a warning reference improper lookout violation of Inland rules CFR.
  