Two people–a man and a woman–were injured, one of them severely, when their pontoon boat crashed into and went under a dock on the Intracoastal Waterway near Beverly Beach late the afternoon of July 4.
The crash was reported to authorities at 5:18 p.m. Emergency units from the Flagler Beach Fire Department, Palm Coast Fire Department, Flagler County Fire Rescue, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Flagler Beach Ocean Rescue, and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) responded to the crash.
“Upon arrival, first responders found a single pontoon boat that had collided with a dock,” a Flagler Beach Fire Department statement said. “Multiple injuries were reported. A swift and coordinated response by all involved agencies resulted in the successful rescue of both victims from the water.”
The fire department reported that one individual sustained life-threatening injuries and was declared a trauma alert. The individual was taken to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach. The second individual was reported to be in stable condition and was transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast for further evaluation. The incident remains under investigation by FWC.
“During emergency incidents like this, it doesn’t matter what patch is on your shoulder—what matters is the mission,” Flagler Beach Fire Chief Stephen Cox said. “The joint collaboration displayed yesterday just goes to prove that we bring every resource, every skill set, and every ounce of experience to the scene to serve the community at the highest level.”
The crash severely damaged the boat and parts of the wooden dock.
According to FWC, a police agency that polices the state’s waterways, among other responsibilities, there were 685 reportable boating accidents in 2024 in a state with just over 1 million registered vessels (tops in the nation). Just two of the crashes took place in Flagler County (with no fatalities). Of the 685 crashes, 53 involved pontoon boats. Collisions with a fixed object, like Friday’s dock collision, were the leading type of crashes (31 percent). In 2024, 81 people were killed in boating crashes across the state. Half the crashes were the result of inattention and inexperience.
Laurel says
Inevitable.
I truly hope the two people are okay, so what I’m about to say may not be necessarily linked to this particular accident. I sincerely wish them both a rapid recovery.
You really have to see the boaters on weekends and holidays, especially. It’s a free for all. It’s a race. As my husband put it, “It’s a big fuck you (as he held up his middle finger); my boat has bigger balls than your boat does!” That sure does look like the attitude. There is little respect for fellow travelers. Boats traveling as fast as the motors allow, with music blasting loudly. There has to be some lack of attention there.
It’s good that we have responders, that are quick and helpful, but we need more of these people present, in hopes to prevent such crashes. Last year, locally, it was a sailboat hitting a dock. Luckily, no one was hurt. I also think there should be boaters’ driver’s licenses, and the Coast Guard classes, mandatory. The ICW is for transporting goods, and for Coast Guard protection, not for racing. The ICW is way too narrow in Flagler County and the county neglected to build an inlet when it had the chance.
Another dead manatee was towed away on Thursday. Don’t know the reason for the death, but I would gamble it was human related.
Please be careful when you are out there. Be considerate of those around you.
FLF says
As a 50 year boater and fisherman on the ICW growing up in Ormond and now reside in Palm Coast. Speed limits were put in on the entire ICW around 1984 and posted on the speed and idle zone signs was 25 mph at night and 30 mph during the day. Gee whiz, lets enforce the laws that are 40 years old that are completely ignored by law enforcement. We now have to deal with the credit card captains, that have the money to purchase a boat and have no idea how to operate it nor have any respect for anyone else on the waterway, just crack another beer and shove the throttles down. In this case with a pontoon wrapping up into a dock, distraction or lack of skill from numerous causes would be the typical root cause. We see these folks every time we go out.
JimboXYZ says
At a loss on this one. It’s not like the pontoon boat is anything more than a a slow ride in the intracoastal. It’s not the type of craft that anyone would take out into the ocean & offshore, out Matanzas Inlet. Makes me wonder if the skipper had a medical emergency and wrecked the boat. Pontoons are relative party platforms out in the river and sandbar areas of the inlet ? No idea of the age of the couple ? I would think that only 2 of them on the pontoon, it may have just been a couples day out on the water. Had another caused this, there most likely are witnesses ? I mean, who would leave them to fend for themselves after watching the crash for striking the dock/pier ?
Doug says
At Laurel – well said. I, too, have lived on the ICW since the late 70’s, and the boating traffic has increased dramatically. It’s also not surprising that there haven’t been more accidents due to operator negligence and plain stupidity. My dock used to be a place of refuge and tranquility, but it’s no longer that. The volume of these irresponsible jet skiers and pleasure boaters who race back and forth for no other reason than to annoy the residents who reside on the river is intolerable. The erosion and property damage to our docks from the enormous wakes are not just inconveniences; they are significant financial burdens. Then, you have the paid boat captains who bring the elite northerner’s yachts south in the late summer and north in the latter winter months. I dare anyone to show me a boat operator or captain who has any consideration for our property. They are “PAID” and don’t give a shit about us. It’s not their vessel or fuel, and let’s see how fast we can get this job done is the motto of the arrogant boat captain.
In the meantime, I’d like to see boating laws amended and/or enacted locally with “No-Wake Zones.” Boats over a certain length need to use the ocean as a speedway. Nobody cares how big, expensive, and fast your boat is, but as homeowners, we care about our property. We should encourage the few FCSO deputies in the Marine Unit to educate themselves on the FSS boating laws and start enforcing them. It’s the enforcement that will change and enact laws to protect everyone. Looking good in your marked “Justice” model Boston Whaler, cruising on the river burning fuel won’t change a thing; and FYI, Sheriff Staley, there’s more boating activity on the weekends than on weekdays. Just imagine the written warnings and citations that could be generated to help facilitate a change in the current situation.
It’s disheartening to say, but our local County Commissioner, Greg Hanson, has been a major disappointment. Despite his ‘Navy Man’ background, he’s been as helpful as an empty suit when it comes to addressing our boating issues on the river. But on a positive note, he’s quick to “pass the buck.” Thanks for nothing, Greg.
Laurel says
Jimboxyz: These days, pontoons have a lot more horsepower, and often, more than one motor. They haul ass too! The problem with pontoons is, they are not as easy to turn as a v-hull, so a last minute obstacle is harder to evade. I don’t know, but maybe this boat was trying to evade another speeding boat. It would be extremely difficult to do so at any rate of speed. That’s what happened to last year’s sailboat, which by law, has the right of way.
FLF is correct. The activity on the ICW has changed in just the last 10 years. It used to be mostly jon boats, flats boats and Gheenoes, used by people fishing. The bane was, and still is, hired captains taking large boats back and forth out of state. They are big boats, in a big hurry. Meanwhile, the increase in population, and the people who never owned a boat before (or simply don’t care), race through this very narrow channel as if all hell was after them. However, FLF, I have never seen any speed signs here, just the manatee zones near the bridge. Only the finger canals, in Palm Coast, have slow speed and idle signs. I would like to see the signs replaced.
What we see, on a regular basis, is selfish, and often, ignorant behavior. No one is monitoring.
Jf says
I was there first hand. Non of the fire personnel or any emergency agency pulled anyone from the water. They were of of the water and on a dock. This is just either a political stunt or fabricating what happened. I’ll send my photos to the Flagler Beach Fire Department just to call them out on this bullshit. Again I was there first hand.
Doug says
At JimboXYZ – this isn’t a personal shot at you by any means, but I laugh at your comment about pontoon boats being a “slow ride.” The pontoon boat has evolved and I frequently watch several of them loaded with passengers (probably paid customers, because it’s the same pontoon boats) that are up on a plane doing 20-30 mph, and that’s not the slow ride you’re referring to as we know it!
StacyDob says
This was and still is a medical emergency. Not only were ACTUALLY there (unlike the other commenter), but were also at the hospital with the injured. Whoever in the comments claiming that it wasn’t, is simply lying.
James says
“… What we see, on a regular basis, is selfish, and often, ignorant behavior. No one is monitoring.”
Well Laurel, in a way, that’s the growing case with E-bikes… when driven by some adults.
It’s a thing called civility… something that has been eroding in our society for some time now.
Just an opinion.
feddy says
By looks of the engine on the boat in the picture it does not look like it was over powered or considered a fast boat like stated in above comments.
Where they trying to dock?
Experience of the operator?
Drunk?
Laurel says
Doug: The snowbirds’ captains drive the big boats seasonally, as fast as they can, creating enormous wake, in order to get to their destinations in time to fly back to get another boat to drive north or south. They know, that here, no one is monitoring, and no one will catch them. Those boats cause damage to docks, to seawalls and splash up high enough to damage lawns.
Hmmm…maybe we can get a Hammock only tax overlay for some of the private clubhouses, on the beach, to pay for Seawall Renourishment!😆
Jack Howell says
I wonder if alcohol was a factor in this accident?
jeff says
Just so you’re all judgmental fucks out there know. I was the one that was driving the boat. I do not drink alcohol. The boat was cruising approximately 20 mph. I don’t remember what happened. I’m a diabetic. That’s where we’re trying to see if that had something to do with the cause. So as far as I’m concerned, those that don’t know me can all take your opinion and shove them right up your ass. I’m still in the hospital. I have 11 broken ribs, three broken vertebraes, a broken tibula and two torn meniscus. Unfortunately in this day and age with the internet everybody gets to sit in their house and judge and try to determine what happens. Here’s what happened. I don’t honestly know. I do know that I’m lucky to be alive and those of you that want to judge me fuck you. I am extremely grateful for all the rescue that took place to save my life. I thank them for that.
Anonymous Neighbor says
Jeff, Glad to hear your are ok. We were this first to the scene on our boat-arrived just as first responders were getting to you guys. We live just across the river and heard but did not see it happen. For what it’s worth-we gave our statements to the FWC officer and he confirmed that he did not find any alcohol on the boat. It’s easy to jump to conclusions, especially behind a keyboard. Wishing you and your passenger a full recovery.