On February 03, 2023, a center console fishing vessel collided with another center console vessel in Blackwater Sound. Both vessels were damaged in the crash.  
	I interviewed OP1. OP1 explained that he was the operator of the Boston Whaler and was actively operating the vessel when the crash occurred. I asked OP1 if he had a boaters safety education card. OP1 then produced a valid boaters safety education card. OP1 explained that he has approximately 20 years of vessel operation experience. I asked OP1 what events lead to the crash. OP1 explained that he was traveling south through Blackwater Sound, navigating through several sailboats in the area. OP1 explained that he did not think navigating through the sailboats was a good decision. OP1 explained that he changed his direction of travel from south to northwest to avoid them. OP1 explained that once he was clear of the sailboats, he changed course to the south. After changing course, OP1 explained that he struck OP2’s vessel. I asked OP1 which vessel he hit, he pointed to the white, center-console Dusky. OP1 explained that no one was ejected from his vessel and no one on his vessel was injured. In OP1’s sworn statement, he stated: “We veered to our right to avoid the sailing vessels. When turning back south, we struck something. I slowed the boat down to ascertain what we impacted, it turned out to be a small recreational vessel, that no one person on the boat had spotted. We then turned our vessel around to help the small recreational vessel.” The damage to OP1’s vessel was as follows: starboard side hull fiberglass splintering, several fiberglass scratches on the starboard side hull. 
	I interviewed OP2, OP2 had swelling on his right ankle, minor scrapes on both ankles, and appeared to be shaken up from the incident. OP2 refused medical treatment from emergency medical technicians that were on scene prior to my arrival. I asked OP2 how the crash occurred. OP2 explained that he was coming back to shore, approximately 1.5 miles west of the Caribbean Club. OP2 explained that he believed OP1 was not paying attention to his surroundings. OP2 explained that he was in neutral, stationary, while waving his arms and yelling at OP1 for approximately 30 seconds to alert him. OP2 explained that OP1’s vessel struck the port side of his vessel at approximately 35 miles per hour. OP2 explained that after the crash occurred, OP1 towed his vessel to the Caribbean Club dock. The damage to OP2’s vessel was as follows: port side stern fiberglass splintering, port side bow fiberglass splintering, fiberglass rear seat splintered and separated from vessel.
	I issued one uniform boating citation to OP1 for violation of Navigation Rule 5, which states: Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.; (OPERATOR OF VESSEL 02) WAS COMPLAINING OF PAIN ON HIS RIGHT ANKLE. THE ANKLE WAS SWOLLEN AND BRUISED. OP2 INITIALLY REFUSED TREATMENT FROM EMS.  AFTER APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES OP2 EXPLAINED THAT HE WASNT FEELING WELL AND CALLED HIS GIRLFRIEND TO TAKE HIM TO THE HOSPITAL.

BLACKWATER SOUND
KEY LARGO                     