On 05/21/2023, a boating accident occurred on the Caloosahatchee River. The accident involved three vessels. The cause of the accident was due to two passing vessels which created large wakes and one vessel that was improperly anchored for the conditions. One vessel suffered damage to the hull as it was moved due to the large wakes and impacted a tree branch on the river bank . No one was injured during the course of this accident. 
At approximately 0950 hours, V3 and V2 were under power closely behind one another traveling east. V3 and V2 passed V1’s location at a speed of approximately 26-34 knots (30-40 MPH). Due to the size of V3 and V2 and their displacement of water, this created a wake of 4-5 feet that moved towards V1's location. The wakes caused V1 to pitch from bow to stern pulling V1's power poles out of the riverbank. This caused V1 to move to the north towards the bank where large oak trees were located. The wakes also caused V1 to yaw to the port side and the portside bow section of V1's hull contacted a tree branch. V1 subsequently suffered a 3" circular puncture to the hull that was caused by an oak tree branch. While speaking with the operator, he also stated that the motors and stern were resting partway up the bank at the end of the accident which indicated that V1 moved approximately 15-20 feet to the north due to V3 and V2's wakes.

CALOOSAHATCHEE
ALVA                          