On Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at approximately 1100 hours, boating accident occurred North-East of Clearwater Marina, Pinellas County, Florida, in Dunedin Channel.  The two individuals who were operating the vessels were renting personal watercrafts from Jet Ski Rentals and Tours.  There were two personal watercrafts (PWC) involved in the incident with one operator and no passengers on each vessel.  This was a guided PWC tour from the rental company supervised by a tour guide, who did not witness the initial accident.  The incident was reported by the operators of the vessels involved and both subjects stated they required no medical attention at the time of the accident interview.  Manager of the rental company, noticed damages to one of the PWC’s involved.  He charged the operator of the PWC that was damaged. The rental company was compensated in the amount of $2,000 for damages rendered due to the accident.
ACCIDENT
	The actual accident was not observed by the guide but was with the group at the time it occurred.  OP1 was the operator of V1 and was ahead and to the right of OP2 who was the operator of V2.  OP1 stated that his average speed at the time was approximately 30-40 MPH.  Both vessels were running about the same speed and approximately 10-15 yards apart from each other.  OP1 stated that he noticed another PWC on his Starboard side coming close, so he compensated by turning away from the PWC to his left.  Unknowingly moving into the path or OP2’s PWC that was on his port side just behind him.  Due to the speed and proximity of both PWC’s, contact was made by OP1 and OP2.
POST-ACCIDENT
	OP1, who sustained minor injuries, was ejected from his PWC.  OP2 remained in control of his PWC.  MANAGER noticed the accident after it occurred and rushed to render aid to the operators involved.  MANAGER pulled OP1 out of the water and all the operators started their return to the rental company launch area.  The occupants of the PWC gave their statements of what happened to MANAGER for their company records.  After checking all the PWC’s on the tour, a staff member noticed damages to one of the PWC that was involved.  V1 had damages that the rental company estimated to be approximately $2,000, which was charged to the individual who was operating V1.
Conclusion:
Based on interviews, evidence,and information gathered to date, I determined that the cause of the incident was due to operator inexperience for both individuals involved.  Rentals & Tours charged estimated damages of the PWC to the operator in the amount of $2,000.  This incident has been closed as a boating accident.  No further law enforcement action was taken at this time.  End of report.; OP1:MINOR CONTUSION ON RIGHT ANKLE AREA.  SUBJECT HAD A MINOR LIMP AND MINIMAL LOCALIZED PAIN.  REFUSED MEDICAL TREATMENT AT THE TIME OF THE INTERVIEW.

Dunedin Channel
CLEARWATER                    