Solo-Boat Incident Leaves One Dead, Five Injured In Key West Run
Yesterday’s 120-plus-boat Key West Poker Run fleet went without incident for all but the last 10 miles of the 180-mile trek, when a 39-foot Deep Impact Boats center console called Hammertime and owned by longtime Florida Powerboat Club member Ray Aquit ran aground. A female passenger on board was killed (her name has not been released) and five people were injured. Four were taken to a local hospital and one reportedly refused treatment.
Tragedy struck yesterday near the end of a poker run to Key West, Fla. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
Like the rest of the fleet, the 39-footer was running what Florida Powerboat Club head Stu Jones described as “the backside course” on the Intracoastal Waterway into Key West. Taking that route through the Saddlebunch Keys enables vessels to avoid running in the open Atlantic Ocean, which has been rough since Tropical Storm Rafael passed through the area.
“I believe 100 percent of the fleet took that course,” Jones said. “Our understanding is that the captain missed a turn and hard-grounded the boat.
“Our prayers go out to everyone involved,” he added.
The final wave of the Key West Poker Run departed from Coconut Grove this morning. At 40 boats, the fleet is substantially smaller than yesterday’s group but significantly larger than the Tuesday wave, which saw a dozen boats in the mix. Tropical Storm Rafael forced Jones to cancel the Wednesday group’s departure.
Editor’s note: This is a developing story. Speedonthewater.com will provide updates as they become available.
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