On Sunday, March 3 at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), along with the United States Coast Guard (USCG), St. Petersburg Police Department, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), responded to reports of a boating accident in the vicinity of 4039 Bayshore Blvd Northeast in St. Petersburg.
Preliminary information indicates an 18-foot Key West boat with two 15-year-olds on board hit a dock and both occupants were ejected into the water. The operator of the vessel was recovered from the water and the FWC, PCSO and St. Petersburg Fire Rescue searched for the missing occupant who was found by a good Samaritan and a St. Petersburg Police Department Officer.
Both occupants were transferred to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Unfortunately, the occupant on the vessel, Collin Moorefield, passed away due to his injuries despite resuscitative efforts.
The operator of the vessel, 15-year-old Christian Tharakan of St. Petersburg received non-life-threatening injuries.
“We would like to express our condolences to the Moorefield family and ask that the public give the family space during this difficult time.” said Major Evan Laskowski, Southwest Regional Commander. “As a father myself, I can only begin to imagine the pain they are experiencing right now. I want them to know we are thinking and praying for them during this time.”
This is an active investigation led by the FWC with assistance from St. Petersburg Police Department. The FWC is the primary boating accident investigative agency in the state. Trained and experienced officers and investigators resolve hundreds of boating accidents each year. While this investigation is ongoing, additional information will be limited, but the final boating accident investigation report will be available by request when it is completed. There is no set timeline for the completion of boating accident investigations.
For general boating safety tips, rules and regulations, visit MyFWC.com/boating.