RedactedNarrative: On 10/15/2022 at approximately 4:45pm, I received a dispatch regarding a hit and run boating accident involving two personal watercraft (PWC's) in the area of Palma Sola Bay in Manatee County.  No injuries were reported.  Further investigation lead to information identifying the striking vessel and it's operator and citations were issued accordingly.
  As I made my way towards the scene of the accident in my agency issued patrol truck, I received a call from the reporting party/owner, stating he had just seen the several PWC’s matching the description of the ones that possibly fled the scene of the accident.  My investigation of these PWC’s determined they were not directly involved in the collision.  Upon my arrival on scene, I observed the struck PWC in the water, with fiberglass damage to the port side rail area, and minor damage and paint transfer just below the steering column on the port side.  
  I followed RP to the location of a second PWC that he had rented out at the same time.  RP did not initially see any evidence of damage on this PWC.  This PWC had been operated by OP1. Upon closer inspection of this vessel on the dock, I was able to find green paint transfer and scuff marks consistent with that of a collision with another vessel.  The paint transfer on the bow eye and hull of this vessel matched the paint transfer identified below the steering column of OP2’s rented vessel.  It became very apparent that these two vessels collided with one another and OP2’s account of a red/orange PWC striking him and fleeing the scene was completely inaccurate.  Nearly two hours after the accident was reported, and during the time I was investigating and documenting the damages to the vessels, RP received a message from OP2 asking him to call him back.  RP was aware by this point that OP2 had lied about the details of the accident, and in my presence, addressed this matter with OP2 over the phone.  OP2 hesitantly admitted that OP1 had been the other operator involved and OP2 said he was scared about the costs of having to repair the vessel(s).  He admitted to not telling RP the truth initially and wanted to come clean.  OP1 was with OP2 at the time of the phone call and RP had them send all their contact information to him via text.  He told them they would be responsible for the deductible on the damaged PWC(s).  OP2 was concerned about criminal charges at which point RP told him that charges were out of his hands and were up to the FWC Officer, who would be in touch.  At this point the call concluded and I completed my investigation and documentation of the vessels.
  