The NTSB report highlighted that the navigation diagram for the area included a warning about frequent depth changes due to swelling. Although the captain claimed to have navigated the area “often,” he acknowledged a lack of awareness regarding local navigation warnings and could not recall seeing any navigation aids.
The investigation revealed that the captain failed to steer towards the illuminated whistle buoy, which marked the popular channel. Instead, he navigated directly through the murky water at approximately 15 knots.
As a result of these findings, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission imposed a civilian penalty on the captain for “reckless or careless operation of a ship.” This incident underscores the importance of adhering to navigational warnings and following established routes to ensure maritime safety.
