On 1-18-23, at approximately 12:30AM, a 52’ motor yacht, (V-1) was southbound approximately 2 miles offshore just south of Ft. Pierce Inlet, when it struck an offshore water-maker buoy. The vessel was being operated by OP1 who was at the helm, however the vessel was on auto pilot traveling at approximately 25 mph. OP1 said the bow was high and he should have had the tabs down, but he did not. OP1s wife was also on board the vessel. No one was injured in the allision. At the time of the allision, the buoy was being worked on by two male subjects that saw the yacht coming at them. Both of the subjects jumped in the water and were never harmed. Their vessel they used to get to the buoy didn’t receive any damage. The yacht began taking on water as the metal buoy did considerable damage to the port hull. Tow Boat US met V-1 at the inlet and started dewatering the vessel with a large pump.  USCG arrived on scene and utilized one of their pumps as well. V-1 made it to Crackerboy Boat Works Marina and was pulled from the water. I issued OP1 two citations for USCG Nav Rule violations, Rule 5 and Rule 8. I completed the investigation and estimated the damage to be over $300,000. Mr. OP1 is a USCG licensed merchant mariner with credentials for hire. The owner of V-1, was contacted and the incident was discussed. The water-maker buoy is owned by Oneka Technologies. The buoy received about $50,000.00 damage per one of the service techs.
ALANTIC OCEAN
FORT PIERCE                   