On January 11, 2023, at approximately 1350 hours, Officers of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, were on state land patrol in Broward county. At approximately 1350 hours, we responded to a call from dispatch about a boating accident involving a vessel that hit a diver off the Dania Beach pier.
At approximately 1400 hours we arrived on scene at the Dania Beach Pier and met with a lifeguard on the beach who witnessed the incident.  LIFEGUARD 1 explained to me that at approximately 1230 hours he noticed a vessel heading to shore with the captain waving his arms for help. LIFEGUARD 1 explained that once the vessel got to shore they had a diver abord the vessel that was ran over by the vessel. LIFEGUARD 1 described that the Diver (s`
On January 11, 2023, at approximately 1500 hours Senior Officer Specialist arrived at  Broward general medical center where he met with Swimmer 1. SWIMMER 1 advised Officers that him, and his son were diving off the Dania Beach Pier with Dive bouys, when he was hit in the head twice by a boat. SWIMMER 1 Provided officers with a Written statement (see attachments).
 On January 12, 2023, at approximately 0900 hours I met with the operator of vessel 1, OP1. I asked OP1 to explain to me what happed on January 12, 2023, when his vessel hit the diver. OP1 explained to me that he and his family were fishing, Trolling Lures at approximately 3 to 4 knots when he noticed a dive flag surface approximately 50 feet in front of his vessel. OP1 explained he immediately put the vessel in neutral and turned off his engine, and at this time the diver ( swimmer 1) hit his head on the bottom of his vessel. OP1 advised the dive flag had short leash, and was leaning over on its side into the water. OP1 then got swimmer 1, and his son aboard his vessel where he transported them to the Lifeguard station at the base of the Dania Beach Pier, where fire rescue was called for swimmer 1. OP1 provided me with a written statement on the incident.
Conclusion:
 Based on all the evidence and information I gathered,  the operator of vessel one noticed the dive flag pop up approximately 50 feet in front of vessel 1. The operator of vessel 1 then put his motor in neutral at which time swimmer one hit his head on the vessel. The operator of vessel one then transported swimmer one to the beach, where he was taken by fire rescue to the hospital. No further law enforcement action is required at this time.; Swimmer sustained two lacerations to his to his head, and complained of a stiff neck, he was admitted to the hospital where he was treated.

atlantic ocean
DANIA BEACH                   