Boating Accidents

April 29, 2025

News: FWC ID’s victim who died in Clearwater boat crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CLEARWATER, FL – As of Monday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has officially identified the victim whose life was claimed in a hit-and-run boat crash Sunday.

According to ABC Action News, the victim was identified as 41-year-old Jose Castro from Palm Harbor. To recap, the collision took place near the Memorial Causeway bridge. Details showed that a person operating a privately owned boat had rammed into a ferry and then fled the scene.

The fleeing boat driver, later identified as Jeffry Knight, then went to the Belleair Boat Ramp. The ferryboat operator was later identified as Dennis Kimerer.

April 28, 2025

News: 1 life claimed, 12 hospitalized after Clearwater hit-and-run boat crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CLEARWATER, FL – One hit-and-run boat operator crashed into a ferry on Sunday near the Memorial Causeway Bridge, claiming one life and sending 12 people to a hospital.

WTSP said The U.S. Coast Guard, 10 ambulances, two medical helicopters, and Clearwater police hurried to the scene. For the injured individuals, two people were flown via the medical helicopter and the rest via ambulances.

Six people were on the hit-and-run boat, and 45 people were on the ferry. Authorities said the hit-and-run suspect has been identified but have made no mention of any criminal charges.

December 5, 2024

News: Double jet ski crash in Clearwater Beach claims one life

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CLEARWATER BEACH, FL – Two jet ski operators fell off their boats following a collision near Sand Key Beach, which ended claiming one of their lives Sunday.

This crash happened around 5 p.m. and immediately prompted a response from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the U.S. Coast Guard, and Clearwater Police, BayNews9 reports.

Emergency crews then hurried one of the captains to the local hospital, where they succumbed to fatal wounds, while the surviving operator was left without physical harm.

July 30, 2024

News: Hillsborough Co. extinguish boat fire near Beer Can Island

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL – Fire crews were able to extinguish flames from a 35-foot cabin cruiser (near Beer Can Island), and its occupants were left unharmed Saturday.

According to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, this collision was reported around 3:25 p.m., specifically half a mile from the island.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Fire Boat 29, Battalion Chief 4, and the U.S. Coast Guard all responded. At this time, authorities have not been able to specify whether the fire was caused by mechanical issues or resulted from a crash.

July 3, 2024

News: Missing person found deceased after Tampa boat wreck

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

TAMPA, FL – A person who had gone missing after falling from a 20-foot boat during a crash Wednesday was found and subsequently declared deceased.

The boat collision, which left another person hospitalized, occurred on July 3 at around 4:15 a.m.

A preliminary investigation indicates that two people were traveling on the boat when, for reasons not immediately clear, the vessel hit a barge near Howard Franklin Bridge, according to WFLA.

June 17, 2024

News: Man, 46, killed in boat collision near Longboat Key

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MANATEE COUNTY, FL – A 46-year-old man passed away Friday, June 17, after a boat vessel collided with a channel marker in the Sarasota Bay, off the coast of Longboat Key.

The fatal incident happened at around 6:30 p.m., while the vessel was traveling on the Intracoastal Waterway near the 600th block of Jungle Queen Way, MySunCoast reports.

Longboat Key Fire Rescue crews said that among the seven people involved, two were “severely injured.” Both victims were rushed to a local trauma center where one of the patients, identified as 46-year-old Mark Hall, was pronounced deceased.

March 19, 2024

News: Jet ski operator fatally hits sandbar in Pinellas Co.

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL – A 60-year-old man was thrown from his Sea-Doo personal watercraft and died after he crashed into a sandbar Saturday.

This jet ski collision happened near Caladesi Island near the Dunedin Causeway, according to ABC Action News. First responders took the man — Gary Nolan — to a hospital for treatment of face lacerations, where he was later declared deceased.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office started an investigation and confirmed that impairment did not play a role in this crash.

March 4, 2024

News: Boat collision in St. Pete claims life of teen, leaves another injured

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – A 15-year-old boy was operating a 18-foot boat Sunday when it crashed into a dock and fatally injured his passenger, another 15-year-old boy.

This incident happened around 4:30 p.m. in the area of Bayshore Boulevard Northeast and Connecticut Avenue Northeast, according to MySunCoast.

Emergency crews were able to rescue the 15-year-old boat operator while his 15-year-old passenger was pulled from the water by a good Samaritan and a St. Petersburg police officer.

January 18, 2024

New Ferry Rides Linking Bradenton to Anna Maria Island Set Sail – How Can You Stay Safe on a Ferry? | Tampa Bay Maritime Personal Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Gulf Islands Ferry, which links Bradenton Riverwalk to Anna Maria City Pier, has officially set sail as of Sunday.

Passengers will be transported by ferry to Anna Maria City Pier from the day dock near the River Dance apartments on the Bradenton Riverwalk. According to a spokesperson for the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the service will also make a stop at the Bridge Street pier in Bradenton Beach in the coming weeks.

Local businesses on the island are hoping that they will be able to recruit new employees who live off the island as the ferry could be a way for staff to commute to work.

The ferry could also relieve some of the traffic on the island.

Currently, the ferry allows large luggage and coolers, but no bicycles.

This new ferry has been in the works for about 15 years, so it is an exciting mode of transportation for Manatee County. Our Tampa Bay Area Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton want everyone to stay safe when travelling by ferry, so here are some safety tips to keep in mind.

Before You Board

Check that your car is locked and that valuables are hidden.
Make sure you have enough time to board before your departure.
Avoid climbing over railings or other obstacles.
Do not get on the ferry while using a skateboard or rollerblades.
Avoid touching, moving, or modifying ramps or walkways.
Stay in well-lit places and within sight of arriving vessels at night.
Children should not play on the dock.

While on the Ferry

Keep bags out of the way and request assistance with storing bulky items.
Take note of the locations of the exits and lifejackets.
Do not hang your head out the window.
Avoid standing on top of seats.
Children should not be seated on your shoulders or railings.
Never sit on the bow or on the edge of the ferry as you do not want to accidentally fall in the water.
Maintain your seat, as ferries are prone to unexpected fluctuations in the water.
Follow the instructions of your crew.

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August 14, 2023

News: Boy, 14, hospitalized after boat crash near St. Petersburg

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – A 14-year-old boy was sent to the hospital after he fell off a boat after a two-boat crash near St. Petersburg Saturday.

WSVN said this collision took place near Egmont Key. The boy sustained wounds on his arm due to the impact of the propeller.

It is unclear what his current condition is.