On Thursday, June 15, 2023, I was dispatched to a call referencing a delayed boating accident report.  The boating accident occurred on Sunday, May 14, 2023, at approximately 1430 hours, approximately 300 yards south of the Dunedin Causeway, St. Joseph Sound, Dunedin, Pinellas County, Florida.  This accident occurred at a time when there was heavy vessel and PWC traffic in the area. Vessel One (V1), a PWC, with one operator and one passenger, was traveling west and following behind a center console vessel.  Vessel Two (V2), a PWC, with one operator, was traveling east at approximately 25 mph.  V1’s operator steered V1 to the north and jumped over the wake of the large vessel it was following.  V1’s operator jumped the wake of the center console vessel, then released the engine throttle as he cleared the wake.  V1 was then drifting to the north.  V2’s operator did not see V1 until it cleared the wake of the center console vessel.  V2’s operator recognized that V1 was drifting into his path.  V2’s operator engaged V2’s reverse and attempted to steer V2 to the north to avoid the collision.  V1’s operator recognized that V1 was in the path of V2 but took no action to avoid the collision.  V2’s starboard bow hit the port bow of V1.  The operator and passenger of V1 were ejected from the PWC.  The operator of V2 was not ejected.  The operator of V2 came back to the location of V1 to confirm that the operator and passenger of V1 were okay.  V1’s operator and passenger sustained no injuries.  V2’s operator sustained no injuries.  V1’s upper bow guard was cracked and there was a hole, approximately 3 inches by 5 inches, in the port bow hull just below the rub rail.  Estimated damage to V1 was listed as $3944.00.  V2 received no damage.  V1 and V2 were still afloat and operational.  The operator and passenger of V1 got back on board V1.  The operators of V1 and V2 navigated both PWCs back to the Dunedin Causeway.  The operator of V1 and the operator and registered owner of V2 exchanged names and contact numbers.  The operator and passenger of V1 then left the area and continued operating V1.  The operator of V2 continued to operate V2 in the area.  I find that the accident was caused by operator inattention, operator inexperience, careless operation, and excessive speed.
ST JOSEPH SOUND
DUNEDIN                       