Vessel 1 was traveling South in channel in Lemon Bay.  Vessel 1’s bow on the port side collided with piling. 
On 6/19/2023, at approximately 1220 hours, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) responded to a reported boating accident. The accident occurred in Lemon Bay Charlotte County approximately between 1000 and 1100 hours. The report stated that a single vessel struck a piling, and one passenger was injured and taken to Englewood Hospital. 
The accident was reported by MANAGER. MANAGER is the manager of Watersports, the registered owner of the vessel. The vessel was being operated by OP1 at the time of the accident. The only occupant of the vessel who received treatment for injuries from the hospital was identified as VICTIM. There were three other passengers onboard the vessel at the time of the accident. None of them sustained any injuries.
OP1 was operating the vessel at approximately 18-20 mph at the time of the accident. He was heading South in Lemon Bay to take his family to lunch. VICTIM was standing in front of him on the deck of the rental pontoon boat. The other passengers were seated on the seats surrounding the bow of the vessel. OP1 then collided with a piling on the port side of the bow. The collision caused VICTIM to fall onto the deck on her butt. VICTIM’s back hit the railing on the front door of the pontoon deck. 
OP1 turned the vessel around and proceeded back to Watersports. He then took VICTIM to the nearest hospital to have her injury assessed. VICTIM received a “CT Scan” and was prescribed pain medication. According to her she sustained a compression fracture to her L4 vertebrae. Her injury did not require surgery.
Watersports stated that the damages to the vessel would cost approximately $1500-$2000 to repair.
Watersports said that OP1 and his family were only out on the boat for approximately one hour before returning to the dock. He also informed me that this was the third time the family had rented a boat there this week. 
:Subject was admitted into hospital. Received a "CT scan." Subject has "compression fracture in L4 vertebrae." Subject was told to rest and was prescribed pain medication. No follow-up was requested by doctor unless pain worsens over time.
lemon bay
ROTONDA                       