V1 struck floating Green Navigational Aid #5 heading West out Boca Grande Pass.
Once on-scene, I spoke with a Lee County Deputy who already gathered the identifications from the three (3) occupants of the vessel. I then spoke with an occupant of the vessel. PAX1 explained they were headed west out of Boca Grande Pass to the Gulf of Mexico when the vessel operated by OP1 struck floating green marker #5. She stated that, after the collision the vessel came to a stop and OP1 was lying on the deck and unable to stand up due to a leg injury. They then pulled out life jackets in case the vessel sank, but did not put them on. The third occupant drove the vessel back to the Lavender Boat ramp where EMS was stationed. OP1 was transported by EMS to an emergency care facility on Pine Island Road in Cape Coral.
I spoke with OP1 at the Emergency Care center in the waiting room. OP1 was already being discharged with two (2) broken bones in his left leg. OP1 explained they were traveling out of Boca Grande Pass to go fishing and didn't see navigational aid #5 when the vessel struck it. He did state he was wearing the engine shutoff lanyard and when he fell in the vessel during the incident the engines shut off. I asked OP1 if he had taken a Boaters’ Safety course and he advised he had not. I had FWC dispatch confirm he didn't have one.
OP1 was the only one with injuries from the vessel incident.
OP1 was issued a warning for no boaters’ education.; OP1: Broken Tibia and Fibia of left leg.

Boca Grande Pass
UNINCORPORATED                