On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at approximately 1800 hours, boating accident occurred East of Cove Cay Marina, Pinellas County, Florida, in Largo Inlet.  OP1 rented a pontoon vessel.  OP1 was the operator with five other occupants on board at the time of the incident.  VICTIM 1, 16 year old son, and PAX 1, 28 year old brother, were standing at the bow of the pontoon just inside the rail gate, when OP1 missed his turn and placed the vessel in neutral abruptly.  VICTIM 1 and PAX 1 lost their balance and fell overboard.  Due to forward momentum of the vessel, VICTIM 1 and PAX 1 were ran over by the pontoon vessel.  Both individuals were later seen at the stern of the vessel in the water.  PAX 1 received no injuries.  VICTIM 1 received injuries from contact with the vessel.  OP1 decided to drive his son to All Children’s Hospital, in downtown St. Petersburg for treatment of his son’s injuries.; 
16 year old victim was under the influence of alcohol and standing at the front of the pontoon boat along with his uncle.  Operator made an abrupt stop and victim and uncle lost their balance and fell overboard.  The vessel still had forward momentum and ran over both victims.  VICTIM 1 had lacerrations to right knee and right forearm.  EMS initialy treated at the marina.  VICTIM 1’s father signed waiver form and transported son to All Childrens Hospital himself.  VICTIM 1 was treated by medical staff at the hosptal and stayed overnight pending surgery the followig day to repair injuries.

16 year old victim was under the influence of alcohol and standing at the front of the pontoon boat along with his uncle.  Operator made an abrupt stop and victim and uncle lost their balance and fell overboard.  The vessel still had forward momentum and ran over both victims.  Victim had lacerrations to right knee and right forearm.  EMS initialy treated at the marina.  OP1 signed waiver form and transported son to All Childrens Hospital himself.  Victim was treated by medical staff at the hosptal and stayed overnight pending surgery the followig day to repair injuries.

OP1 stated that he noticed his time was running short for the rental and tried to return to the marina but got lost enroute.  OP1 stated that his speed was slow going through the channel leading to the marina when he missed his turn and placed the boat in neutral.  At the time he noticed that his son and brother were at the bow of the vessel inside the gate area.  When he placed the vessel in neutral, his son and brother lost their balance, possibly due to their intoxication.  The vessel’s forward momentum allowed the vessel to run over both victims where Victim was struck by the boat and caused injuries.  OP1 called the staff of the rental for assistance to get them back to the marina.  OP1 stated that the staff met them on a sandbar near the marina where one of the staff members took control of the pontoon to drive them back to the marina.  At this time the staff member called 911 to let EMS know there was an injured victim.



Largo Inlet
CLEARWATER                    