On 7/29/2023, at approximately 4:55 PM while on water patrol in the St. Martin's area in coastal Citrus County, I, Officer, of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, was dispatched to a boating accident around Gomez Rocks.  The vessel had struck the rocks which rendered it inoperable. The hull, engine bracket and engine all sustained damage from the impact. Two of the vessel occupants were injured and transported to the hospital via ambulance.  Sea Tow towed the boat and remaining occupants to the boat ramp.    

Upon our arrival at the location of the vessel, we contacted the registered owner who told us his old track lines in the GPS had been erased and he wasn’t familiar with the waters. After confirming all parties that remained on board were safe and ok, the vessel was towed back to the boat ramp by Sea Tow.
   
Officer and I arrived at the boat ramp to take pictures and get witness statements from Operator and another passenger. 

The hull, engine bracket and engine all sustained damage from the impact.  The hull had a deep gouge near the keel, which was several feet long, approximately six inches wide and seemed to cut through all the gel-coat.  The engine bracket was buckled and the trim and tilt arm was broken and hanging down. The lower unit of the engine was cracked and had a hole in it and the cowling was cracked in several places. Pictures were taken of all the damaged areas. 
 
We then drove to HCA Florida Bayonet Hospital in Hudson, Florida to meet up with two people, both of whom sustained injuries resulting from the impact. Subject1 hit her head and neck area on the center console which the doctors diagnosed as a possible concussion and Subject2 sustained soreness in her ribs and back as she tried to catch her mother. Both women were examined and released from the hospital that night. We received statements from both women.   


Gulf of Mexico
UNINCORPORATED                