On July 2nd, 2023, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), was conducting water patrol near the mouth of the Suwannee River with FWC Officer. At approximately 1800 hours, we responded to a boating accident at the Demory Creek Boat Ramp in the town of Suwannee (Dixie County).
Upon arrival to the boat ramp, the at-fault vessel (V1) was loaded onto a trailer and parked near the ramp. V1 was identified as a 24ft Maverick, with a blue scenery wrap, bearing Georgia registration. OP1 explained to me that she had little to no experience operating this vessel on her own, as it belonged to her deceased husband.
Struck Vessels (docked across the canal from boat ramp):
	- V2: 16ft Classic Airboat 
	- V3: 12ft Griffis 
	According to OP1 and all witnesses, she attempted to load V1 onto the trailer multiple times. On her last attempt to load V1, OP1 maneuvered it in a starboard direction, applied too much throttle, and lost control. The port side of V1 glanced the starboard side of V2 and the bow of V1 topped the port side stern of V3, causing integrity damage to the transom and cowling of V3. Paint transfer was applied to the starboard side of V2 from V1, and the wrap on V1 sustained rips and scrapes. The keel guard on V1 sustained damaged as well.
	Furthermore, there were swimmers nearby in the canal. A passerby stopped to assist in loading V1 onto its trailer. After assessing the scene and damages of all vessels involved, I conclude that the statements of OP1 and the witnesses were an accurate account of the incident. Due to her inexperience operating V1, which caused damage to multiple vessels with swimmers nearby, I cited OP1 with the following:
INFRACTION – FS 327.33(2): Careless Operation of a vessel
	Officer collected written statements from all witnesses and photos were taken of all vessels involved. The investigation was captured on agency-issued, body-worn camera. No further law enforcement action taken.

SUWANNEE RIVER
UNINCORPORATED                