On 12/31/2023 at approximately 5:20pm, I, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer Specialist, received a call from our Orlando Regional Communications Center (ORCC) regarding a single vessel boat accident which had occurred near Kingfish Boat Ramp in Manatee County. Holmes Beach Police Department had responded by land and requested our presence.  All three occupants were accounted for, and one was being evaluated by EMS for lacerations and a possible head injury.
(added from detailed narrative: Both OP1 and PAX 1 stated that they had been out all day.  They had gone up to Paradise Key in Pinellas County to hang out with friends.  After spending a couple hours there, they came back down and stopped by The Bridge Tender Inn Dockside & Tiki Bar.  According to OP1’s original statement, the line was too long, so they didn’t stay.  They then left the docks and proceeded north back towards Kingfish Boat Ramp.  OP1 stated VICTIM was seated to his right, while PAX 1 was to his left.  As they approached the Manatee Avenue West Bridge from the south, another vessel was allegedly passing under the bridge through the channel.  OP1 decided to pass under the bridge approximately two bridge-spans to the west of the main channel to avoid this oncoming vessel.  The occupants’ statements claim that VICTIM slipped or fell from the helm seat and while falling, pulled OP1 from the steering wheel.  It is unclear from the statements and interviews what caused VICTIM to fall, or if the vessel had already started losing control as it passed beneath the bridge. 
With both OP1 and VICTIM away from the helm, PAX 1 tried to correct the pathway of the vessel.  OP1 quickly got back up to the steering wheel but was unable to keep the vessel from immediately striking one of the bridge piling supports under the span at a speed of approximately 20mph.  None of the occupants were thrown from the vessel, however VICTIM did suffer laceration injuries to her right brow-line and bridge of her nose from collisions inside the vessel.  At this point, a vessel passing by stopped to assist.  One of the occupants of this vessel boarded the damaged vessel and helped drive the vessel to the nearby Kingfish Boat Ramp while OP1 and PAX 1 tended to VICTIM’s injuries.  No information was provided on the subject who assisted, and he left the scene before law enforcement arrived.); VICTIM:I proceeded to Blake Memorial Hospital where Officers had completed obtaining a sworn written statement from VICTIM.  VICTIM’s mother and father were with her at the hospital, and her mother transcribed the statement while VICTIM told her what happened.  VICTIM read over the statement and made any corrections that needed to be made.  I thanked VICTIM and her parents and provided them with the Boat Accident Report number and my business card should they have any other information for me.  VICTIM’s injuries were documented via photograph where appropriate and included several contusions to her left foot, left arm, right thigh, chest, and the two lacerations to her face (one above her right eye/brow and one to the bridge of her nose).

ICW at Manatee Ave Causeway
BRADENTON BEACH               