RedactedNarrative: On 2/20/2016, at approximately 0730 hours a two vessel accident occurred on the St. Johns River in Putnam County, Florida.  V1, a 19 ft Ranger bass boat powered by a 225 hp outboard was traveling south at approximately 60 mph in the area of channel marker 26.  
   
  V2, a 20 ft Ranger bass boat powered by a 225 hp outboard was also traveling south at approximately 55 mph in the area of channel marker 26.  V1 was making a "cut" behind an island in the river and noticed V2, traveling in his direction at an angle.  
   
  V1 then collided with V2 ejecting V2's passenger, V2 occupant into the water and causing significant damage to both vessels.  V1 then turned around and retrieved V2 occupant from the water and assisted him back into V2.  V2 returned to Crystal Cove Marina where the vessels launched and after confirming everybody was ok, V1 continued fishing for the  day.  All parties involved were wearing PFD's at the time of the collision.  V2 occupant sustained a few cuts and a fractured left forearm and was treated and released at Putnam Hospital in Palatka, FL.
  
  Interview with Operator2 was conducted at Crystal Cove Marina and post Miranda warning went as follows:
  - Operator2 stated he was fishing in a tournament with V2 occupant in the St. Johns River
  - Both occupants were wearing a PFD and V2 occupant was wearing a helmet.
  - They were traveling in the marked river channel because Operator2 wasn't familiar with the river.
  - While traveling south at approximately 55 mph in the area of channel marker 26 another boat collided with the port side of his vessel.
  - V2 occupant was ejected from the vessel upon impact.
  - V1 retrieved V2 occupant and returned him to V2.
  - Operator2 then returned to Crystal Cove Marina and notified Law Enforcement and EMS.
  - V2 occupant was transported to Putnam Hospital.
  Operator2 provided a sworn witness statement
  
  Interview with V2 occupant was conducted at Putnam Hospital and went as follows:
  - V2 was traveling south in the river around channel marker 26
  - V2 occupant looked behind and to his left and saw a boat coming "out of nowhere"
  - The vessel then struck them on the side V2 occupant was seated
  - V2 occupant was ejected and once in the water, took his helmet off and told them to get him out of the water
  - V1 helped him out of the water and into V2
  - They returned to the marina where he was transported to the hospital
  V2 occupant provided a sworn witness statement
  
  Interview with Operator1 was conducted at Ken's BBQ in Lake City FL, and posted Miranda Warning went as follows:
  - He and his passenger were traveling south in the river at approximately 60 mph
  - They took a "cut" behind an island
  - Once he came from behind the island he noticed the other boat coming toward him at an angle
  - He assumed the other vessel saw him so he kept on the path he was traveling
  - At the last second he realized V2 was about to hit him so he turned abruptly
  - He collided with V2 on his starboard side.
  - He turned around and retrieved the passenger from V2
  - After checking on everyone's wellbeing he continued fishing for the day.
  
  Interview with subject was conducted at Switzerland Point Middle school in St. Johns county and went as follows:
  - They were traveling south in the river just south of the sandbar
  - They were heading towards the next channel marker when they collided with V2.
  
  
  Due to the fact that Operator1 saw the other vessel and assumed they saw him and he didn't take proper action to avoid a collision he will be cited with Careless Operation causing an accident with injury in reference to Inland Navigation Rule 8: Action to Avoid Collision .  Which states “A vessel which, by any of these rules, is required not to impede required by circumstances of the case, take early action to allow sufficient sea room for safe passage of the other vessel.”
   
  