Vessel one was traveling south and vessel two was traveling north on the Dora Canal when vessel one struck the port bow of vessel two. Vessel one left the scene and was located later. There were no injuries as a result of this accident. Vessel two sustained cracks, gouges, and scratches on the port bow fiberglass.
On 5/28/23 I responded to a reported hit and run boating accident on the Dora Canal Tavares, FL.  
Vessel 1 is a 20-foot 6-inch rental pontoon boat. The operator was identified as OP1.
Vessel 2 is an 18-foot 6-inch fiberglass open motorboat. The operator was identified as OP2. 
Operator of Vessel 2 (V2), reported to dispatch that his vessel was struck below the waterline and was possibly taking on water. There were no reported injuries.
When Ofc. and I arrived on scene we learned that both parties had relocated to the rental shop.
At the rental shop I began talking with the operator of V2.  He confirmed no one was injured and his vessel was not actually taking on water.  He told me he was driving his vessel north on the Dora Canal when a south bound vessel with rental decals struck his port bow with their port bow pontoon.  He states that the impact pushed his vessel into the Cypress knees lining the canal.  OP2 states that he told the other vessel to stay but they continued down the canal.V2 sustained several scratches and gouges and one penetrating blow to the fiberglass.
I then started to interview the operator of V1. OP1 told me they were going south on the Dora Canal when she saw they were going to collide with another vessel.  She states she stopped but the other vessel continued and hit them.  She states she told the occupants of V2 it wasn’t necessarily her fault and continued back to the rental shop. There was no new damage visible to V1 (bent eyelet in picture was pre-existing according to shop owner).

Dora Canal
TAVARES                       