On 10/21/2023 Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), was enroute to the City Marina in Key West. At approximately 10:00 a.m. I observed radio traffic indicating that a boating accident had occurred. I was informed that the victim was back on land at the Jet Ski rental business. I arrived at approximately 10:15 and observed Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel on scene. They informed me that they were transporting the victim to Lower Keys Medical Center. I followed EMS to the emergency room.
At the emergency room I identified the victim as a W/F tourist. I observed OP1 to have facial injuries. (See injury supplement of this report).
I obtained a written statement from OP1. In her statement OP1 stated that she had never operated a Personal Water Craft (PWC) prior to 10/21/2023. OP1 stated that she was nervous about riding by herself but decided to try anyway. After receiving verbal instructions on the operation of a PWC OP1 stated that she took her place in line at the rear of the column of PWCs. A tour guide was directly behind OP1. She stated that as she began to apply the throttle she felt like she wasn’t able to steer the PWC (V1). As she approached what she described as a “floating shed” (later identified as a houseboat) OP1 stated that she attempted to steer away from the vessel but was unable to do so. OP1 stated that she hit the rear of the vessel and was ejected into the water. OP1 stated that the tour guide approached her and pulled her form the water onto a PWC and took her back to land.; OP1: observed injuries to the face, a possible broken nose, and a laceration to the left earlobe.

Gulf of Mexico
KEY WEST                      