RedactedNarrative: Vessel struck mangroves causing same to stop suddenly, sending injured forward striking face and head on deck causing minor injury to same.  
  Victim stated she was seated in the bow in front of the 17' center console. Listed operator was at the helm. Victim advised she was facing forward as vessel's operator slowed slightly upon approaching the slow-speed manatee zone. 
  Victim stated the vessel continued at a speed of approximately 15 mph and 200 yards before the slow-speed zone. A few moments later, the victim realized the vessel was heading towards a section of mangroves. Victim believed operator, her husband, was aware of this course and would make adjustments as needed as they have traveled these waters for several years. As the vessel moved closer towards the grove, the victim turned back towards the operator and noticed same was looking back towards the engine while at the helm. 
  Before victim could warn the operator, said vessel made contact with the mangroves. This action caused the vessel to stop suddenly, forcing the victim forward and down onto the deck of the vessel. Victim's forehead and face struck said deck causing contusion to same. Victim also complained of pain along the inside of her right thigh above the knee caused by striking the mangrove limbs. After impacted, the victim stood up and moved towards the rear of the vessel.
   Victim stated listed operator advised he heard a noise coming from the engine and had turned to look at and monitor the engine and had not noticed their approaching the mangroves. Seconds after the incident, an unk vessel approached and assisted in pulling the listed vessel from the mangroves and contacted EMS. Upon returning to the dock, EMS treated the victim on scene and subsequently transported victim to CCER for possible increased injuries. Upon conclusion of said interview, victim was taken to CT scan, that later proved negative. Victim went on to say the injuries were relatively minor.
  Upon interviewing Operator, it was found the incident to be consistent with that of the victim. Operator stated he slowed the vessel as they approached the slow zone. as the vessel entered into the channel and subsequently nearer the parallelling mangroves, the engine started running rough. Operator looked back towards the engine for a moment, then looked back forward. As operator looked back a second time, operator believes he inadvertently turned the wheel towards said mangroves. This action caused the vessel to make contact with said mangroves forcing the vessel to slow/stop suddenly. At this point, the operator's focus turned towards the victim and her possible injuries. Operator advised there was little or zero damage to the vessel. Victim received contusion to forehead after making contact with vessel deck upon said vessel struck mangroves. Based on victim's age, same was treated by EMS on scene and subsequently transported the CCER where same was treated and released.
  