RedactedNarrative: On 4/30/2016 I, Officer of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Division of Law Enforcement; was dispatched to the Mayport Boat Ramp in reference to a boating accident.
  
  I arrived at the Mayport Boat Ramp and met with Officer of the United States Coast Guard (USCG).  Officer advised me of the names of the passengers on the boat that were not present and introduced me to the remaining occupants of the vessels that were involved in a boating accident that occurred approximately 3 miles east of the entrance to the Saint Johns River at Mayport.
  
  Operator1 stated that he was the operator of Vessel 1 when it collided with Vessel 2.  Operator1 stated he was heading out from Mayport to do some recreational fishing with his friends to catch some dolphin.   Operator1 stated that he was cruising when he saw the navigational  lights of Vessel 2 and attempted to steer past the vessel without success.  Operator1 advised he turned to starboard to avoid collision but struck Vessel 2  on its port bow causing damage to both Vessel 1 and Vessel 2.  Operator1 stated he was not injured.
  
  Operator1 described the conditions as dark and foggy with calm seas.  Operator1 stated he thought he was going 27 knots/hour when the collision occurred.  Operator1 stated the time of the collision was approximately 0500 hours.  
  
  I conducted a Naval Observatory check which revealed that beginning morning nautical twilight (BMNT) was 0548 hours for Jacksonville, Florida.  I also checked the local NOAA weather report which revealed 2-3 foot seas and a water temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
  
  I also met with the owner of Vessel 1.  V1 owner stated he was on the vessel when the boating accident occurred.  V1 owner account of the incident was consistent with Operator1's account of the incident.  V1 owner stated he was not injured.  V1 owner further stated that he did not have vessel insurance.
  
  I also met with co-owners of Vessel 2.  Operator2 stated that he was operating the vessel heading back to Mayport at a 270 degree bearing at about 4-6 knots/hour when the incident occurred.  Operator2 advised he was using the 8 horsepower motor attached to the vessel.  Operator2 stated that he was not injured.
  
  V2 occupant's account of the incident was consistent with Operator2's account.  
  
  Both Operator2 and V2 occupant stated they were college students, on a visa visiting this country, and were returning to their country in the fall to attend school.
  
  I observed the damage to Vessel 2 was consistent with the description of all the occupants of vessel 2  present at the scene.
  
  I photographed the damage to both vessels and those photographs are attached to this report.
  
  I observed the damage to Vessel 1 was limited to the starboard section of the hull at the water line.
  
  I observed the damage to Vessel 2 was on the port side of the vessel which consisted of damage to the hull and the bow railing.  Operator2 and V2 occupant also advised that the impact of Vessel 1 forced loose the bracket of the outboard motor attached to the transom of their vessel causing some separation.   However, both stated that they did not think the motor would fall off Vessel 2.
  
  I issued all the subjects a case card in reference to this incident with my contact information.
  
  I mailed a copy of FWC warning to Operator1 for violation of navigation rules.
  
  I attached a copy of the USCG r