RedactedNarrative: On June 30th 2017, at approximately 7:55 am a vessel incident occurred in the gulf of Mexico, approximately 11 west of Palm Harbor in Pinellas County.  A vessel, occupied four times, was struck in the bow by a vessel, occupied one time.  The striking vessel impacted on its port bow.  No persons were injured during this incident. 
  
  At approximately 9:30 am, I met with the complainant at Indian Springs Marina.  I received statements from the occupants aboard the complainant vessel and photographed the damage.  
  
  The complainant stated he and 3 other occupants were aboard his vessel anchored facing north and bottom fishing at a location known as “Veterans Reef”.  At approximately 7:55 am Subject and the other occupants observed a vessel traveling west towards their location. 
  
  Operator1 continued to operate his vessel toward the starboard mid ship of Subject’s vessel.  Fearing Operator1 was going to strike Subject’s vessel, the occupants on Subject’s vessel began to scream and wave their arms at Operator1 in efforts to alert him.  
  
  Operator1 adjusted his course just prior to impact turning right.  The port bow of Operator1’s vessel struck the bow and windless of Subject’s vessel.  This caused fiberglass damage to the bow, bending and shearing the windless from its mounting location, and scuffing the starboard side of Subject’s vessel.  Subject showed me cell phone pictures identifying the suspect vessel and operator as well as damage to the suspect vessel.  Operator1’s vessel suffered gel coat removal to the bow keel and additional scuffs and scratches (approx. 8” in diameter). 
  
  A brief search was successful in locating the subject and vessel returning from the Gulf of Mexico at Clearwater Pass.  Officer photographed the damage on Operator1’s vessel and obtained a written statement from Operator1.  Officers observed no signs of impairment and Operator1 stated he was not having any medical issues.
  
  Operator1 stated that he was trolling west prior to the time of impact.  He stated that a wave knocked his glasses off of his face.  Due to sweat and sea water he was unable to see clearly.  Operator1 stated that he knew the vessel was there and the subjects were screaming but didn’t adjust his course because he was going to miss them.  
  
  Operator1 stated that he wiped his face with a towel and observed he was going to make impact with the starboard mid ship of Subject’s vessel.  Operator1 stated he turned hard right and put his vessel in neutral.  Operator1 stated that he believed the vessels didn’t directly touch and that only the anchors touched, not causing any damage.  Operator1 continued to state that he moved away from the vessel.  At that time, Subject operated his vessel over to Operator1 and informed him that there was a collision.  Operator1 stated that he informed Subject that he had insurance and waited for him to come talk to him.  Operator1 continued to state that Subject operated his vessel in a circle around his vessel and then left the scene.
  