On June 11th, 2023, at approximately 1500 hours, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Responded to a call reference a vessel accident.
 Upon arriving on scene, I located and identified the following. 
Vessel #1 (V1) –2022, Seabring Marine Industries, 27ft, black, cabin cruiser.  
Owner/Operator OP1
Vessel #2 (V2) –2023, Cruiser Yachts, 42ft, white, cabin motorboat. 
Owner/Operator – OP2 
Occupant – PAX 1 
V1 and V2 were involved in a vessel accident while traveling North along the Indian River Lagoon. Both parties said the approximate GPS location of the accident took place near N27 58.013 W080 32.095. Following the accident both parties proceeded underway, arriving at Melbourne Harbor Marina. 

Speaking with V1, OP1. He told me he was traveling North along the Indian River Lagoon at approximately 45-50mph. OP1 stated there was heavy vessel traffic in the area at the time of the accident. He attempted to overtake (pass) V2 on its port (left) side. While attempting to overtake, V1’s vessel went over V2’s wake, coming down the back side of the wake he lost control, and his bow/starboard (right) bow struck the stern/port stern of V2. OP1 hit his face on the vessel’s windscreen causing lacerations to his nose. OP1 was seen by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and refused transportation to a hospital for his injuries. OP1 appeared to be conscious, alert, stable on his feet, and able to hold a conversation. The vessel damage on V1 was consistent with this story, photographs of the damage were taken (see attached). I had OP1 fill out a sworn written statement (see attached). 

Speaking with V2, OP2. He told me he was traveling North along the Indian River Lagoon at approximately 20mph. OP2 stated there was not a large amount of vessel traffic in the area at the time of the accident. He was cruising inside the marked channel, looking ahead when he felt the crash, looked back, and saw V1 had struck his stern/port stern. OP2 said he was uninjured from the accident. The vessel damage on V2 was consistent with this story, photographs of the damage were taken (see attached). I had OP2 fill out a sworn written statement (see attached). 

Speaking with V2, PAX 1. She told me she was below deck when she felt the accident, was uninjured, and told a consistent story to OP2’s on the events of what happened. 

I conducted a boating safety inspection on both V1 and V2. Both vessels had all required boating safety equipment, readily available. No life jackets or other boating safety equipment were used in this vessel accident. 

I asked V1, OP1. Why he attempted to overtake V2 so close to there stern, not giving a wider birth, or overtake from a further safe distance. He told me he was in a hurry to get home and other boat traffic in the area did not allow him to do that. 
V1, OP1. Was found at fault for this incident. I issued OP1 one warning citation – Careless operation of a vessel. 
No further action was taken. 
End of report. 
OP1: Subject face hit vessel windscreen, causing lacerations to subjects nose. EMS responded and subject denied transportation to hospital. Subject appeared to be concious, alert, stable on his feet, and able to hold a conversation.

I reviewed the detail narrative and the accident photos. It appears based on the photos the 42’ yacht (V2) has large cracks in the fiberglass which extent to the inside portions of the vessel along the stern. There also appears to be separation of the outside hull from the inner decking.

indian river lagoon
MELBOURNE                     