JUPITER, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A Palm Beach County lawsuit claims a minor child was injured during a Jupiter boat charter after she was allegedly directed to jump from the front of a pontoon vessel into the Intracoastal Waterway and was then pulled under the boat.
The complaint, filed as Brian Carroll and Leah Carroll, on behalf of their minor daughter, E.C., v. Jupiter Joyride LLC, Jupiter Boat Bookings LLC, Water Joyride LLC, and Guy Buckeley, was filed May 12, 2026, in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County. The case number is 502026CA005336XXXAMB.
The plaintiffs are represented by Munch and Munch, P.A., of Tampa, according to the filing. No defense law firm is listed in the complaint.
The lawsuit was filed with the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court, Michael A. Caruso. It seeks damages in excess of $50,000 and includes a demand for jury trial.
According to the complaint, Brian Carroll and Leah Carroll are the natural parents and legal guardians of E.C., who is identified in the filing as a minor child. The lawsuit says Guy Buckeley was the captain of a pontoon vessel in Florida at the time of the alleged incident.
The complaint claims Jupiter Joyride LLC, Jupiter Boat Bookings LLC and Water Joyride LLC were Florida limited liability companies engaged in offering boat charters to the public, including the trip involving E.C.
The filing says venue is proper in Palm Beach County because the causes of action accrued there and one or more of the defendants reside, conduct business or maintain offices in the county. The complaint also states that the boating incident occurred on the navigable waters of Palm Beach County, specifically the Intracoastal Waterway, and claims general maritime law applies.
According to the complaint, the incident happened on or about April 14, 2025, when the Carroll family and E.C. were paying passengers on a pontoon vessel owned, operated, managed or controlled by one or more of the defendants. The lawsuit says Buckeley was acting as captain of the vessel in or near Jupiter that day.
The complaint alleges Buckeley directed E.C. to jump off the front of the pontoon vessel into the Jupiter Intracoastal Waterway. After entering the water, the filing claims E.C. was immediately pulled under the pontoon vessel.
The lawsuit claims E.C. lacked prior experience swimming in those conditions and relied on Buckeley for safety and instruction. It also alleges Buckeley failed to ensure that appropriate safety measures were in place before directing her to enter the water, including proper life vest safety equipment.
The complaint brings negligence claims against Buckeley, Jupiter Joyride LLC, Jupiter Boat Bookings LLC and Water Joyride LLC.
As to Buckeley, the lawsuit claims he failed to exercise reasonable care in operating the vessel and protecting passenger safety, especially for a minor. The complaint alleges he directed E.C. to enter the water in an unsafe manner, failed to ensure the vessel was safely positioned, failed to account for currents, vessel drift and surrounding water conditions, failed to warn about dangers associated with currents, propellers or vessel movement, and failed to properly supervise E.C.
The complaint also alleges Buckeley allowed swimming in a busy navigable channel with a lot of boat traffic.
Against the three company defendants, the lawsuit claims they failed to implement and enforce reasonable safety procedures for passengers entering the water, failed to properly train or supervise Buckeley, failed to warn passengers of known dangers associated with the Intracoastal Waterway in Jupiter, and failed to require appropriate safety equipment, including properly fitted life vests for minor passengers.
The filing alleges E.C. suffered physical injury, emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and other damages, and continues to receive treatment for her injuries. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, prejudgment interest, post-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems proper.
The claims are allegations made by the plaintiffs in a civil complaint. They have not been proven in court.
The original complaint, Brian Carroll and Leah Carroll, on behalf of their minor daughter, E.C., v. Jupiter Joyride LLC, Jupiter Boat Bookings LLC, Water Joyride LLC, and Guy Buckeley, Case No. 502026CA005336XXXAMB, as filed May 12, 2026, with the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court, can be viewed here.
Boca Post reports on newly filed Boca Raton lawsuits using public court records from the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court, providing context and clarity readers won’t find in copied summaries or legal directory listings.
