A day on the water turned tragic in Fort Lauderdale on August 12, 2025, when a personal watercraft (PWC) carrying two teenage girls slammed into a dock on the Intracoastal Waterway near the 2800 block of NE 24th Court just after 3:30 p.m. Both teens were taken to Broward Health Medical Center by emergency crews; one of the girls died later, and the second one is in hospital with life-threatening injuries, officials said. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is leading the investigation. Local outlets have reported differing early details about the victim’s age due to evolving confirmations from authorities, with corrections indicating the girl who died was 13; some reports described her as 14 before that clarification. The incident reportedly involved one PWC with both girls riding in tandem; some outlets also reported the sisters were visiting from New York and the watercraft had been rented.
This post explains what typically happens in a case like this, who may be legally responsible, and what rights the family and the surviving victim may have under Florida law. It is written for informational purposes and is not a substitute for legal advice.
WHY PWC CASES INVOLVING MINORS ARE LEGALLY DISTINCT
Florida has specific laws for PWCs that differ from many other boats:
- No one under 14 may operate a PWC in Florida—period. It’s also illegal for an owner or person in control to allow a minor under 14 to operate one. Violations are misdemeanors.
- Liveries (rental companies) must meet strict obligations: hold an FWC livery permit, provide pre-ride instruction, verify age/eligibility, and comply with safety/insurance requirements.
- Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 generally needs a Boater Safety Education I.D. card to operate a vessel with 10+ horsepower (which includes most PWCs), subject to limited exemptions.
These rules matter because liability may hinge on who was operating, their age, their training, and whether any adult or rental company failed a statutory duty.
POTENTIAL AVENUES OF LIABILITY
Every case turns on facts, but in tragedies like this, lawyers typically examine several potential sources of liability:
- Operator Negligence
If a teen (or anyone else) operated the PWC carelessly—speeding in a narrow channel, failing to maintain a proper lookout, or approaching a fixed object unsafely—this may constitute negligence. Florida law imposes duties regarding safe operation and accident responsibilities.
- Negligent Entrustment / Supervision
If an adult authorized a minor under 14 to operate the PWC, that can violate Florida law and become powerful evidence of negligence per se or negligent entrustment. The statute specifically prohibits allowing under-14 operation.
- Livery (Rental Company) Liability
Rental operators have codified obligations: obtain an FWC livery permit, provide documented safety instruction, ensure operators meet age and education requirements, and maintain insurance. Failing any of these duties can support a negligence or statutory-violation theory.
- Product or Mechanical Issues
Investigators also look at mechanical failures (e.g., throttle, steering, or engine cut-off switch tether). Florida’s PWC rules address lanyard cut-off devices, and compliance (or non-compliance) may be relevant.
- Premises Liability?
Because this incident involved a collision with a dock, counsel may evaluate whether any dangerous condition of the structure contributed (e.g., unlit or protruding hazards). However, a dock is a fixed, obvious structure; liability generally centers on vessel operation unless a hidden hazard or code violation played a role.
THE INVESTIGATION: WHAT TO EXPECT
The FWC typically documents scene evidence, interviews witnesses, inspects the vessel, and reconstructs the crash dynamics. For reportable boating accidents involving serious injury or death, Florida law requires official reporting and allows FWC to request supplemental reports. Statements taken for the purpose of an accident report have specific evidentiary rules.
From a civil suits attorney’s point of view, attorneys always make haste on:
- Preserve the PWC for inspection and download any engine module data, if available.
- Obtain livery records: rental contract, safety briefing forms, video/signage, permit, and age/ID verifications.
- Identify surveillance or door-cam footage from homes along the canal, 911 recordings, and body-cam or marine unit logs.
- Secure medical records, trauma notes, and air/ground transport documentation.
WRONGFUL DEATH AND INJURY CLAIMS IN FLORIDA
When a life is lost due to potential negligence on the water, the Florida Wrongful Death Act (F.S. §§ 768.16–768.26) governs how claims are brought and which damages are available. The statute provides for recovery of lost support and services, mental pain and suffering (for certain survivors), funeral expenses, and estate damages such as lost earnings and net accumulations, depending on family relationships and other factors. The personal representative of the estate brings the claim on behalf of eligible survivors.
For the surviving teen, a personal injury claim may include medical expenses, future care, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other damages under Florida negligence law. If the PWC was rented, any applicable livery insurance and liability waivers must be analyzed; some waivers are limited or unenforceable under certain circumstances, especially where statutory duties are implicated. (An attorney will examine the precise waiver language and facts.)
CONCLUSION
This is an unspeakable loss. Early reports indicate a devastating collision with a dock, a fatality of a young teenager, and a second teen fighting severe injuries, with FWC leading the investigation. As the facts are formalized, Florida’s PWC-specific safety rules, rental (livery) obligations, and wrongful death framework will guide how accountability is determined and what remedies are available to the family and the survivor.
If you have questions about legal options after a serious PWC collision or need help understanding the investigative process and your rights—speak with a lawyer who handles Fort Lauderdale boating and PWC injury cases. An experienced team can move swiftly to preserve critical evidence and protect your family’s interests while you focus on healing.