On 02/11/2023, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) were on patrol in Pompano Beach, Florida. I was dispatched to a call at the Hillsboro inlet bridge in reference to a sailboat that made contact with the bridge. 
	I arrived on scene at approximately 11:45 am. The sailboat was tide off to the seawall just past the bridge on the northeast side. I made contact with the sailboat owner OP1 and read him Miranda warning. I then had OP1 fill out a sworn written statement with Miranda rights. 
	After I received a statement from OP1, I went to the bridge house and made contact with operator BRIDGE TENDER. I read BRIDGE TENDER his Miranda warning and had him fill out a sworn written statement with Miranda rights. 
	OP1 stated he had permission to cross through the opening, via VHF radio. While he was underway the bridge made contact with OP1’s mast causing damage to his vessel.
	BRIDGE TENDER stated that other vessels radioed for a bridge opening. He stated that he acknowledged OP1’s original request for an opening. BRIDGE TENDER stated that he “lost sight of this vessel and closed the bridge”. BRIDGE TENDER also stated that the vessel did not radio they were still coming through the inlet. The mast made contact with the bridge and BRIDGE TENDER hit the emergency stop button upon contact. There was no damage to the bridge.
	Based on conflicting statements by both parties, and no independent witnesses to corroborate either statements. I was unable to determine fault at this time.

hillsboro inlet
POMPANO BEACH                 