On June 17, 2023, at approximately 1630 hrs, I responded to a call reference a possible overturned pontoon under the William T. Marler Bridge with people in the water during a storm with strong currents. V1, 24’ Bentley Acquisition Pontoon Boat was located beached approximately 100 yards south of the bridge on the west shore and was not overturned. A man was injured by being drug under the pontoon while attempting to beach it and prevent it from hitting another beached pontoon. Fire Rescue assisted with getting the injured subject into my vessel for transport to EMS at Coast Guard Station Destin. The rental pontoon was later taken back to the rental company by another occupant. The vessel sustained no damages.

We checked the pass and found nothing, but on our way back, we saw two subjects waving us down approximately 100 yards south of the bridge on the west shore. The vessel, a 24’ Bentley Acquisition Pontoon Boat was located beached and was not overturned. I beached my patrol vessel next to the pontoon and Officers spoke to the people on shore. We identified the injured man as VICTIM and the other pontoon vessel occupant as OP1. OP1 informed us that VICTIM had been run over by their rental pontoon, hit his head, and was drug under the pontoon while attempting to beach it and prevent it from hitting another beached pontoon. VICTIM requested medical attention and Fire Rescue assisted with getting him into my vessel for transport to EMS at Coast Guard Station Destin. VICTIM was turned over to EMS then Officers and I returned to the area where the accident took place.

OP1 informed us she was operating the pontoon and that her and VICTIM were the only occupants at the time. She attempted to beach the vessel to avoid the ongoing storm and upon her approach to the shoreline she shut the motor off while VICTIM jumped into shallow waters to help guide the vessel onto the beach. Once VICTIM was in the water, the vessel started drifting sideways due to the strong storm winds and current. OP1 stated VICTIM was sucked under one of the pontoons and was dragged across the sand in shallow waters. The rental pontoon was later taken back to the rental company by OP1 where I took a sworn written witness statement from her. The vessel sustained no damages.; VICTIM sustained rashes/bruises on the right side of his abdomen from being dragged over sand by the pontoon in shallow waters near the shoreline in stormy weather conditions while attempting to beach the vessel.
PASS
DESTIN                        