Stephen Watkins crashes boat into jetty on St. Petersburg, FL beach

A boater is in recovery after crashing into a jetty on St. Pete Beach Saturday. Stephen Watkins of Treasure Island told deputies he was operating a 31-foot Searay cabin cruiser when the boat struck the rock jetty as he entered Blind's Pass about 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Watkins told authorities the steering stopped operating in the vessel, causing it to crash into the rocks off Sunset Way in St. Pete Beach. There were no other passengers aboard the vessel when the crash occurred, and no other vessels were involved. Watkins was sent to the Palms of Pasadena Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor at this time, the report said.