V1 struck V2 while V2 was anchored just outside Bayside Marketplace and Fishermans Channel.
On 12/31/2022, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was on uniformed state water patrol in Miami-Dade County.  I was working along side two (FWC) officers. At approximately 12:48AM on 1/1/2023 I was dispatched to a boating accident involving a 58 ft cabin motorboat and a 41 ft cabin motorboat identified by its Florida registration numbers. The caller stated that vessel 1 struck the vessel 2 while it was anchored just outside Bayside Marketplace in Fishermans Channel. The vessel 1 fled the scene of the accident as well as failed to notify any law enforcement agency that a boating accident occurred. The vessel continued to head east towards Miami-Beach Marina where it was originally docked. The struck vessel never left the scene and was met by (FWC) officer to provide a witness statement, document any damage to the vessel and collect the information of the captain of the vessel as well as the registration for the vessel. The operator of the struck vessel was OP2.
We were able to spot and correctly identify the striking vessel heading east towards Miami-Beach Marina. As we pulled up alongside the striking vessel Officers boarded the vessel. We identified the captain of the striking vessel as OP1. We started to question OP1 where he was heading and if he had recently struck any vessels. As I was questioning OP1 on where his registration was at, he left the helm of the vessel and stated that it was okay. I tried to inform OP1 that it was not okay and that he needed to be in control of his vessel at all times. Once again OP1 stated that it was okay that no one was controlling the vessel. Officers brought OP1 back to the helm of the vessel and stayed with him until we docked at Miami-Beach Marina in its original slip. OP1 had a hard time trying to maneuver the vessel around and, in the Marina, as well as trying to find the original slip that he launched from. At the dock was four United States Coast Guard (USCG) officers that were waiting for us. We finally docked and tied the vessel to the slip and began our investigation. Many of the occupants did not want to provide a witness statement, however three occupants did. All three of the witness statements matched stating that OP1 left the helm of the vessel which he was in charge of operating as captain which led to him striking the other vessel. OP1 reappeared after striking the vessel and was unaware as to what happened. The occupants on the vessel became extremely agitated and wanted off the vessel.

Biscayne Bay
MIAMI                         