On June 20th, 2023, OP1 and her family (husband and two children) hired rental company to take them on a guided personal watercraft (PWC) tour. The family left set out from the beaches in front of the Hilton Hotel on Marco Island with their tour guide. 

At approximately noon, (operator) and her daughter (occupant 1) were navigating west through a small channel on V1, known locally as “Anaconda Pass”, when OP1 reported there was a mangrove branch sticking and directly in her path that she was unable to avoid as she came around a curve. OP1 reported the branch struck her directly in the face causing her to sustain injuries to her face and knocking her off the PWC; she was wearing a lanyard that cause the jet ski to immediately stall with her daughter still on board (Global Positioning System coordinates of 25°54'19.69"N, 81°40'6.92"W). The tour guide and her husband returned to OP1 location and removed her from the water. The guide had a first aid kit on his PWC and they began basic first aid. The guide called for assistance from a co-worker and a second guide responded to Anaconda Pass. The group made their way back to the launch. 

The family requested the Hotel staff call OP1 an ambulance. She was transported to the emergency room at NCH hospital and received several stitched to her mouth, upper lip, and chin. I confirmed with OP1 that she received all required instructions per Florida Statute from the livery. She attributed her accident to unfortunate circumstances and her inexperience. 

I met with operations manager, who provided me with all the liveries required paperwork and took me to inspect the PWC involved in the accident. Co-owner was issued a warning for failure to report the accident to law enforcement as the call reporting the accident came in from the front desk after the family returned to shore and had to seek further first aid themselves requesting an ambulance in the lobby of the hotel. ; OP1 sustained injuries to her face and received four stitches to her upper lip, four stitches to her chin and two stitches inside her mouth. She had a significant sized hematoma on her left forearm and on the left side of her forehead. The hospital removed debris from inside her nose and scratches on her arm.
BAY
MARCO ISLAND                  