Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer Blog
MIAMI, FL—August 31, 2011 – A Florida boater was hospitalized with critical injuries sustained in a recent boating accident that occurred in the St. John’s River in Jacksonville. According to information provided by News4Jax, investigators from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) believed the 66-year-old accident victim was the only person aboard the vessel when it capsized on the afternoon of August 29.
With the apparent intention of enjoying a summer afternoon fishing, boater Rodney Abernathy anchored his small boat next to the Fuller Warren Bridge in the St. Johns River. Unfortunately, the boat’s propeller was fouled during a forceful outgoing tide (ebb tide) at some point that afternoon.
The prop foul seemingly forced the watercraft’s stern to face the waves and take on water before ultimately capsizing and sinking. At approximately 5 p.m., Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office marine officers found Abernathy in close proximity to the nearby Acosta Bridge.
The Jacksonville man, who was unconscious when rescue personnel found him in the water, was ultimately rushed to Baptist Medical Center. The injured accident victim remains hospitalized in critical condition. The extent of his injuries remained undisclosed.
As previously mentioned, authorities appeared to believe Abernathy was the sole individual involved in the Florida boating accident. According to Lt. John Conboy, of the FWC, “We had a search for the possibility of a second person, but once we got some eyewitness accounts, they believe there was only one person on board the vessel.”
Statistical data provided by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) indicated 668 boat accidents occurred during the year 2010. Those boat crashes and accidents resulted in 79 boating deaths and 389 injuries. Statistics suggest Florida has more boating accidents than any other state in the nation.
About the Miami cruise ship injury lawyers and boat accident attorneys of Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.
With four decades of experience litigating the multifaceted personal injury and wrongful death claims of boat and cruise line passengers who are hurt or assaulted onboard, the knowledgeable Florida boating accident lawyers of Gerson & Schwartz are dedicated to protecting the rights of these individuals and fighting to provide them with the compensation they deserve. Working closely with the National Center for Victims of Crime, the Miami personal injury attorneys of Gerson & Schwartz, P.A. strive to provide justice to individuals who suffer serious injuries in a wide variety of boating accidents.