Florida Officials to Charge Boater Who Struck Diver on Thanksgiving 2019

On Thanksgiving Day 2019 a serious boating accident off the coast of Palm Beach left one man severely injured. Now, Florida authorities are charging the vessel’s pilot with boating violations.

PalmBeachPost.com reports that the accident occurred when 31-year-old Daniel W. Stanton II of Palm Beach was piloting a 36-foot Yellowfin southbound when he struck 24-year-old Carter Viss, who was snorkeling in the area that the boat was traveling. Viss, a marine biologist, suffered a severed arm in the accident. 

After the accident, there were conflicting reports about whether Stanton saw the dive flags that Viss had put out to warn boaters that he was diving in the area. Authorities investigated the matter and determined that Stanton was at fault for four violations including operating a vessel within 300 feet of diver-down warning devices and reckless operation of a vessel. 

The Florida State’s Attorney has indicated that Stanton will be charged with one count of willful and reckless operation of a vessel, a misdemeanor. He is set to be arraigned on September 29.

Stanton is the son of retired Goldman Sachs executive Daniel W. Stanton.