RedactedNarrative: Vessel 1 was a 23ft bayboat. It was travelling south in the Punta Gorda Isles canal with an improper lookout when it struck a residential boat lift. No injuries were reported. 
  On 5-12-22, I was dispatched to a boating accident in Punta Gorda. I arrived on scene and met with Punta Gorda Police Department and the complainants/ property owners. Also on scene were the operator and passenger of the single vessel involved with the accident. The accident involved a single vessel that had crashed into an empty boat lift that belonged to the property owner. 
  After introducing myself, I initiated a standard vessel safety inspection and ask OP1 to produce his vessel's safety gear. While conducting the inspection I noticed OP1 was at times unstable on his feet. He also made in an unusual statement when asked to produce his life jackets, “there's a woman down here who says she can fight bulls”. I asked if there were any other persons on board to which OP1 replied, no. While speaking to OP1, I notice the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. When asked, both OP1 and occupant admitted having consumed alcohol while on their trip. OP1 also stated he had recently received cortisone injections in his back but was not taking any other medication. While interviewing OP1, he stated he had owned a vessel repair shop, had a US Coast Guard Captains License, and had hundreds of hours of vessel operation experience. I asked if there was heavy vessel traffic in the canal during the accident and how it happened. OP1 stated there were no other vessels in the area but that he simply was not paying attention and too busy “talking to his buddy” as being the reason he was not able to avoid the boat lift.
  At this point, I concluded alcohol may have been a contributing factor to the accident and shifted my investigation to seeking evidence by attempting to locate witnesses. I asked the homeowners if either had witnessed the accident to which they replied, no. I also asked several neighbors who were outside but they also said, no. No security cameras were found in the area with a view of the accident scene. Without witnesses to the operation of the vessel, I concluded my Impaired Operator investigation. 
   After interviewing all parties on scene and examining the vessel and boat lift, I determined the following:
  ~ OP1 and occupant had been recreationally cruising for approximately five hours that day. They had visited Riviera Marina and Fishermans Village before heading back home. Both men stated OP1 was operating the vessel and both admitted to having consumed alcohol during the trip. 
  ~There was no other vessel traffic on the canal at the time of the accident. 
  ~The canal is approximately 70 feet wide at its narrowest point.  OP1’s Vessel is approximately 8.5 feet wide.
  ~OP1 is well experienced in vessel operations but failed to maintain a proper lookout as required by Coast Guard Rule 5.
  