RedactedNarrative: On March 17th, 2021 at approximately 1241 hours, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was dispatched to a delayed boat accident that occurred in New Pass on March 14th, 2021.
  I spoke with the manager of Freedom Boat Club, about the accident. MANAGER 1 informed me the accident involved two vessels: a 22’ Shearwater aluminum pontoon boat registered to Freedom Marine Sales LLC and a 25’ Mako Custom Boats registered to V1. The 25’ Mako will be referred to as Vessel 1 or V1 for the remainder of this report. The 22’ Shearwater will be referred to as Vessel 2 or V2 for the remainder of this report.
  On March 24th, 2021 at approximately 0800 hours I met MANAGER 1 at Salty Sam’s Marina where V2 is stored. I took photographs of the vessel with my agency issued digital camera. The vessel sustained damage to the front port rail assembly. MANAGER 1 informed me OP2 was the operator of V2 at the point of collision. MANAGER 1 obtained a quote for the cost to repair the damage the same day of the accident. The total cost for repairs on the quote is $2,625.00. 
  On March 26th, 2021 at approximately 1147 hours I interviewed OP2 at his residence. OP2 informed me he was travelling North on the East side of New Pass in the channel, near navigational aid #21.  A large vessel heading South was producing a large wake. At this time V1 which was also heading North in the channel, operated by OP1, was overtaking V2 on the port side at a moderate speed.  OP2 said he “looked out of the corner of his eye” and saw V1 about 5 feet off the port side of his vessel. V1 was caught in the oncoming wake, lost control, and collided with the front port side of V2. I had OP2 sketch a diagram of the incident on the back of his written statement.
  On March 30th, 2021 at approximately 0900 hours I interviewed OP1 at her residence. Vessel 1 is stored on a boat lift behind her house. While there I took photographs of the starboard side (the side which impacted V2). V1 had very minimal scuff marks on the hull of the vessel. In my interview with OP1, she confirmed both Vessel 1 and Vessel 2 were northbound in the channel. OP1 also said a southbound vessel was producing a large wake. OP1 said Vessel 1 was overtaking Vessel 2 on the port side at this time. OP1 said “both boats caught in oncoming wake” which resulted in the collision. I had OP1 provide me with a sketch of the incident as well and it was consistent with OP2 sketch.
  According to my investigation, I have found the 25’ Mako (Vessel 1) operated by OP1 to be the at fault vessel. Vessel 1 was an overtaking vessel and is required by Navigation Rule 13 to keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken (Vessel 2). Based off the operator statements and the damage to both vessels, had OP1 followed the navigational rule the collision would have been avoided.
  OP1 was issued a citation for the following:
  •	F.S. 379.33(3) Violation of Navigation Rules Resulting in An Accident, Navigation Rule 13 Overtaking- Any Vessel Overtaking Any Other Shall Keep Out of The Way of The Vessel Being Overtaken.
  