On September 8, 2023, at approximately 10:50 AM, FWC was notified by Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) of a single vessel accident with injuries that occurred in Biscayne Bay, near Matheson Hammock Boat Ramp.  The two occupants were both ejected from the vessel.  They were both transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital South.  One was unconscious, had a head injury, and was in critical condition.  The second was conscious and had an injury to his left shoulder.  V1 was partially submerged.
(Added from ISR: At approximately 10:21 AM, the vessel was approximately 4 miles southeast of Matheson Hammock Park, traveling between 108 to 110 MPH.  V1 made an abrupt turn to port (left) ejecting both the operator and occupant. The vessel continued to turn to port, decelerate, until it came to a final stop.  The vessel took on water until it was partially submerged in a near vertical position.  The engines were touching the sea bottom and the bow was the only part of the vessel remaining above water. V1 was traveling Southeast at 100-110 MPH, with the engines operating near their maximum RPM range.  The port engine’s lower unit seized, locking the propeller.  This created drag on the port side with the starboard engine still providing near maximum thrust.  This resulted in a hard turn to port (left) while still traveling at a high rate of speed, between 85-90 MPH.  V1 turned approximately 180 degrees while rapidly decelerating, until it came to rest as the transom dug into the water.  The violent twisting in the turn caused the vessel’s fiberglass hull and cap to flex against each other.  This resulted in the fiberglass damage, as well as the separation of the hull and cap.
When the transom dug into the water both occupants were ejected into the water.  OP1’s body struck the port engine’s cowling, causing some of his injuries.  PAX 1 was injured as his body skipped across the water.
I have concluded that although speed was a contributing factor, the cause of the accident was the mechanical failure of the port engine lower unit. ); PAX 1:Expected to fully recover. OP1 was found underwater, uncouncious and unresponsive.  He was reportedly revived twice.  He was unconcious/coma for approximately a month.  He is currently in rehabilitation to regain physical and mental capabilities.

BISCAYNE BAY
CORAL GABLES                  