RedactedNarrative: On 1/18/15, Officers were on water patrol in Martin County. At approximately 1238 hours, we were dispatched to a hit and run boating accident that occurred in the St Lucie River at the Roosevelt Bridge. We were given a vessel description of approximately an 85 foot yacht by the name of Lionesse. Dispatch advised us that the vessel was headed towards the St Lucie Locks. We arrived at the St Lucie Locks at approximately 1309 hours. Upon talking over VHF with the locks operator at St Lucie Locks, we were advised that the vessel Lionesse had not passed through the St Lucie Locks. We begun searching marinas between the Roosevelt Bridge and the St Lucie Locks. At approximately 1340 hours, we located the vessel named Lionesse at American Custom Yachts. Upon contact with the operator, I asked him if he had been involved in a boating accident at the Roosevelt Bridge. Operator advised me that he hit marker 23A located just east of the Roosevelt Bridge. The US Coast Guard (USCG) arrived on scene at approximately 1345 hours. US Coast Guard Officer Bamberg along with his crew conducted an inspection on the Lionesse, documentation number 1119254. Officer located the sign bearing 23A on board the vessel. 
  
  After the US Coast Guard completed their vessel inspection, I spoke with Operator. I asked him to explain to me what happened leading up to the boating accident. Operator advised me that he was driving the vessel Lionesse heading westbound in the St Lucie River towards American Custom Yachts. He was waiting for the Old Roosevelt draw bridge to open in order to pass underneath. He advised me that there was a sailboat headed eastbound also waiting on the draw bridge. Operator allowed to sailboat to pass though the Roosevelt Bridge before he made his way toward the draw bridge. Once the sailboat passed through, Operator begun making his way towards the draw bridge. However, the draw bridge operator begun to lower the draw bridge before Operator could pass through. Through contact with the bridge operator over VHF, Operator was advised that he would have to wait for the next bridge opening. While waiting on the next bridge opening, the Lionesse begun drifting towards marker 23A. At approximately 1115 hours, the Lionesse collided with marker 23A. Operator advised me that he felt the collision but was unsure what he collided with. 
   
  Further, he advised me that at no time was he was away from the helm of the vessel. Upon collision with marker 23A, Operator sent his crew down from the cabin to determine what they had collided with. He advised me that his crew reported that the vessel had collided with a marker and the marker sign landed inside their vessel. I asked Operator why he did not immediately report the accident. He advised me that did not want to drop anchor in the area due to heavy vessel traffic. Further, he advised me that he had every intention of reporting the accident once he was docked up. He advised me that he was in the process of docking up and cleaning the boat upon my arrival. I advised Operator that in the event of a boating accident, he was required by law to immediately notify law enforcement as soon as possible. He again informed me that he had every intention of reporting the accident. 
  																							    
  The USCG took marker 23A from Operator. USCG Officer advised me that marker 23A had a solar panel attached to it and he estimated the marker damage to be approximately $5,000. Upon inspection of the Lionesse, I observed fiberglass damage on the port side of the vessel where marker 23A made impact. Operator advised me that he would fix the damage in house and estimated the damage to be less than $500. I issued Operator one infraction for careless operation of a vessel