Boating Accident Investigators LLC was created by former marine law enforcement officers who dedicated their lives to public service. Now retired, these highly-trained and experienced investigators want to provide their knowledge and abilities to attorneys and their clients so that justice may be served.
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What Do We Offer ?
Clear, concise and documented reports along with expert testimony to verify or contest initial investigators findings and accident reports. The dynamics of boating collisions, accidents at sea or maritime casualties are unique and investigating the "why's and how's" takes special training and experience. Without the proper skills, important evidence can be overlooked, misinterpreted, or simply processed incorrectly. Some law enforcement agencies don't always have the tools, training, or experienced personnel to perform an in-depth investigation. This can leave those affected and their legal teams with a lot of unanswered questions. Many jurisdictions may only have to deal with a vessel accident once every few years. Some have never experienced a vessel homicide investigation. Our professionals have conducted, overseen, and directed hundreds of these types of cases over the years. Hiring an independent team to investigate can help fill in the blanks.
What You Need To Know
We scrutinize all details of the incident or accident as recorded in the initial investigation and report. After an accident, we look to reconstruct it to determine all contributing factors. Were the boats and ships being operated in a prudent and safe manner? Were USCG rules of the road (COLREGS) being observed. Was company policy enforced and followed? Was there any violation of standard operation procedures or boating safety laws? Was an operator impaired in any way? Who was actually in command or at the wheel? Were the mechanical elements of the boat(s) involved in good working order? We can inspect the site of the accident, interview witnesses, document photographic evidence, and review physical evidence to analyze and paint a picture of what really happened. Our expert review will determine whether the initial or final investigative report has flaws, inconsistencies, or is simply wrong.
Will Your Findings Help Legal Teams Seek Justice in Court?
Without an in-depth investigation, the cause of a boating accident often comes down to "he said, she said." If you've lost property, or worse—the life of a loved one— having a private accident investigation can help strengthen your case and often prove guilt or innocence. Our findings are admissible in court and we have been expert witnesses in many court proceedings. We can give legal teams the hard facts they need to represent their clients.
What Do We Have That Others Do Not?
FWC officers arguably have the broadest powers of enforcement in the United States. Not only are they state officers authorized to enforce all State of Florida statutes, they are all cross deputized and empowered to enforce laws from the US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, United States Coast Guard, and Immigration Customs Enforcement. FWC officers and investigators are the premier vessel accident investigation agency in Florida and set the standards for excellence across the nation.
Additionally, we served our careers in South Florida, where boating and water sport activities are taking place at all hours of the day and night, twelve months a year. For our combined 60+ years of service, we were in the thick of it like no one else.
Additionally, we served our careers in South Florida, where boating and water sport activities are taking place at all hours of the day and night, twelve months a year. For our combined 60+ years of service, we were in the thick of it like no one else.
Meet Our Team
Decades of experience come together to help make your case.
JAYSON HORADAMLaw Enforcement Capt. (ret)Now retired after 25 years of service to the State of Florida, Jayson began his career in 1988 after graduation from the Florida Marine Patrol Academy (now the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, FWC). He was assigned as a marine law enforcement officer in the Florida Keys and Miami for several years before becoming an undercover officer in Miami. Promoted to lieutenant in 1997 he was a shift commander for Miami-Dade and Broward counties in South Florida, supervising vessel and marine accidents, injury and homicides. In 2002, he was promoted to captain of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Enforcement Team. As a captain in the FWC, Jayson was tasked with various roles. In addition to the National Marine Sanctuary, he served as captain of Investigations for the Florida Keys and Southwest Florida, and as captain of the region's Special Operations Group (SWAT team specialized in responding to manmade and natural disasters in the natural resource and marine environment). Jayson has been involved in, conducted, or supervised more than a hundred vessel accidents including power boats, sailing vessels, PWC, and more—many with injury and resulting in vessel homicide. He is a graduate of Berry University with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Administration and a graduate of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Senior Leadership Program.
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ANDY COXLaw Enforcement Lt. (ret)Lieutenant Andy Cox has worked as a state law enforcement officer in Florida since graduating from the Florida Marine Patrol academy in 1991. From North Florida early on to Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and the Florida Keys, his career has been centered on a wide range of maritime law enforcement in a variety of roles. He has been involved in countless vessel accident investigations including serious injury and death as an officer, homicide accident investigator and supervisory lieutenant. Andy's extensive career includes assignements as K-9 Officer, Dive Team Instructor, Underwater Recovery Team, Firearms Instructor, Field Sobriety Test Instructor, Vessel Homicide Investigator, Environmental Crimes Investiator Level II, Special Operations Group (SWAT) Team Leader and vessel captain of the 82' law enforcement cutter, Point Monroe. In addition to his law enforcement experience, Andy holds a United States Coast Guard 25 Ton Masters License. Andy is highly trained and certified to NOAA qualifications for ship operations.
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MITCH JOHNSONLaw Enforcement OfficerMitch has spent his lifetime on the water in charter boat operations, law enforcement, and fisheries enforcement. For more than two decades, he has been a certified US Coast Guard captain. After earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in 2002, Mitch began working with Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission. Stationed in the Florida Keys for the next 6 years, he enforced boating safety, fisheries, natural resources & endangered species law as well as working in vessel accident investigations. In addition, Mitch served as a Florida Vessel Safety Program Instructor. For the last 12 years, Mitch has been a USCG certified captain operating vessels up to 1,100 feet, logging over 25,000 hours as captain in command. During these years, Mitch's experience has been centered on vessels carrying petrochemicals. He is highly trained in Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response to HAZMAT in maritime operations
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