On March 25, 2023 at approximatley 14:30 hours Vessel #1 (V1) and Vessel #2 (V2) were heading South in Channel A towards Old Tampa Bay Hillsborough County, Florida.   V1 was on the right side of the channel going idle speed when V2 heading the same direction collided with the rear port swiming platform of V2.  
On March 25, 2023 at approximately 1737 this officer was advised there was a boating accident in Channel A involving a vessel and a pwc.  Upon arrival this officer spoke with OP1 and he stated his family were going idle speed down the channel because they were approaching the end of the channel where all the boats are anchored near shore.  OP1 stated he heard a loud crash and looked back and a yellow pwc just crashed into the port side stern of the boat.  He stopped the vessel and asked the two men on the boat if they were alright, the pwc started to sink and OP1 said they started swimming with the pwc towards the mangroves.  OP1 stated he then called the US CoastGuard to report the accident.  When this officer arrived the operator and the passenger on the pwc were not on scene.  OP1 stated that a good Sam took the two men on the pwc to Courtney Campbell boat ramp to get help.  This officer then went to the Courtney Campbell boat ramp to try and locate them.  Upon arrival at the boat ramp I was approached by the operator and the passenger and the owner of the pwc.   OP2 and PAX2 stated they were cruising around back in Channel A and when they were heading back out of the channel South bound they approach (V1) near the port stern side of the vessel and a wave pushed him into the back of (V1).  The pwc ramped the corner of the vessel creating damage to the front Starboard side bow of the pwc and the rear of the same side.  The impact with (V1) put a hole near the bow and the stern of the pwc causing it to partially sink.  OP2 stated they were not injured and were able to pull the pwc to the mangroves on the left side of the channel.  OP2 left the pwc at the accident location and returned to the Courtney Campbell Boat Ramp to speak with the owner.  I spoke with the owner and she wanted to know what she had to do. I advised her that she would have to arrange a towing company to respond to the accident scene and tow the pwc back to the boat ramp.

Old Tampa Bay
TAMPA                         