On July 18, 2023 at 1238 hours, I Officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to the Palma Sola Causeway in reference to a boating incident. This boating incident occurred at approximately 1215 hours and involved two rented personal watercrafts (PWC) in Palma Sola Bay in Manatee County. Both PWC’s were occupied by single operators, both operators sustained minor injuries during this incident. 

	Vessel one (V1) identified by its Florida Registration Number was operated by Operator1. Vessel two (V2) identified by its Florida Registration Number was operated by Operator2. Both vessels were rented by a third person from AMI Wavez.
 
	This boating incident occurred when V1 and V2 were being operated at high rates of speed in a circular “donut” pattern in close proximity to each other approximately ¾ of a mile south of the Palma Sola Causeway Bridge. Operators violated US Coast Guard Navigation Rule 5 and failed to maintain proper lookout. This operator inattention caused V1’s port side bow to collide with the center V2’s bow. Both operators were ejected from their vessels during the collision. After the collision Operator1 realized V1 was no longer operable and both Operator2 and Operator1 returned to shore on V2. V1 ultimately sunk from the severe damage it sustained during the collision. In addition to violation of Navigation Rule 5, violation of Navigation Rules 6 (Safe Speed) and 8 (Action to Avoid Collision) also contributed to the occurrence of this incident. 

Operator2 sustained minor contusions to his left bicep.

Operator1 suffered minor scrapes and contusions to his left side during the boating incident.

PALMA SOLA BAY
BRADENTON                     