RedactedNarrative: On October 22, 2021 at approximately 1100AM vessel (FL2490JC) was traveling at idle speed when the bow of the vessel hit Channel Marker 4. The operator was knocked forward, and the passenger was ejected off the bow. When the operator stood up he realized the passenger was in the water he shut off the engine and jumped in to rescue her. A Good Samaritan vessel turned around to help. The passenger was brought to the beach where emergency rescue services met her. She was flown to Lee Memorial. The operator was not treated for any injuries. There was no damage to the vessel or Channel Marker. 
  On October 22, 2021, at approximately 1140AM the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) received a call from Charlotte County Sheriff’s dispatch that there was a single vessel boating accident at Port Charlotte Beach Complex in Port Charlotte, Charlotte County. I was on patrol in a marked vehicle and responded to the call.  Weather conditions were sunny, high visibility with a moderate wind of about 7 miles per hour. The vessel traffic was light, and the water condition was calm with waves less than 6 inches. 
  The accident was a single pontoon vessel (FL2490JC) traveling at a low rate of speed when the operator looked at the engine to check if the steering was responding correctly. The vessel hit Channel Marker 1 (green) on the right bow where it left a scuff mark on the aluminum hull. When the vessel hit the channel marker the operator OP1 was standing at the helm when he was knocked forward by the seat back behind him. At the same time the occupant was at the bow of the vessel. The occupant was ejected from the vessel and was found floating in the water unconscious by OP1. When he stood up from the impact, he immediately shut off the engine and yelled for Victim. He jumped into the water where he tried to get her to respond and yelled for help. A nearby vessel (FL9356MZ) with two occupants had launched at the same time from the boat ramp were idling out of the channel when they heard OP1 yelling. They turned around to help, Good Sam 1 called 911 and Good Sam 2 towed the pontoon back to the dock. Two good Samaritan on kayaks assisted Operator and Victim on the beach. When Emergency medical services (EMS) arrived victim stated she could not feel her toes and had a laceration on her forehead. She was airlifted to Lee Memorial Hospital. She was diagnosed with a closed C2 fracture, and two staples placed on her right forehead; Victim was airlifted to Lee Memorial and kept overnight for observation. Victim was diagnosed with a C2 closed fracture.
  