At 1630 hours Pinellas County Marine Unit deputies were dispatched to the Sunshine Skyway Approach Bridge in reference to a vessel crash involving two vessels.  Upon arrival, two persons had been pulled from the water by a good samaritan’s vessel who was not involved in the accident.  A 29-foot catamaran was traveling Northbound in the channel with 9 passengers on board.  A 22-foot center console was traveling Eastbound in a separate channel with 3 passengers on board.  The vessels collided where the channels intersect.

Based on the investigation, it was determined at impact the center console’s starboard bow made contact with the catamaran’s portside stern.  Two people were ejected into the water, another was ejected into the catamaran, and another remained on board the center console.  All persons from the center console were transported to O’Neill’s Marina where they were evaluated by St. Pete Fire Rescue but refused transport to the hospital.  

Occupant on v2 was transported by Sunstar to Tampa General Hospital for left shoulder pain and was later released with no significant injuries noted.  Occupant2 on V2 was medically evaluated due to being 17 weeks pregnant but refused transport to the hospital.  Their daughter was transported by Sunstar to All Children’s Hospital with a contusion to her head and was discharged with no significant injuries.

Operator inattention and heavy vessel traffic were the leading factors in this accident.  Impairment was not a factor.

The definitive speed of both vessel prior to and at time of impact was unable to be determined.  After conducting follow up with several subjects involved and two (2) independent witnesses who were following behind Operator2 at the time of collision, it is approximated the vessels involved were traveling somewhere between 25-35 knots.  Operator1 states he was being overtaken on the starboard side by Vessel 2 who was operated by Operator2.  

After speaking with independent witnesses, their stories were consistent with Operator2’s statement that he was traveling northbound in the channel, and Operator1 was traveling eastbound in the intersecting channel.

In conclusion, since Vessel 1(give way) had Vessel 2 (stand on) off its starboard bow and they were going to cross paths where the channels intersect.  Vessel 1 failed to give way to Vessel 2 which was the stand on vessel.  After investigation was complete, it was determined Vessel 1 was at fault and thus was cited for carless operation.  See crash diagram for further.

; V1 occupant:minor contusion above/near left eye. 

ICW
ST. PETERSBURG                