Case ID: so2d_535/html/0319-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "BARFIELD, Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL REGULATION, Appellant/Cross-Appellee, v. Thomas A. BAGGETT and Board of Pilot Commissioners, Appellee/Cross-Appellant.
    No. 88-551.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.
    Dec. 8, 1988.
    H. Reynolds Sampson, Deputy Gen. Counsel, Tallahassee, for appellant/ cross-appellee.
    Margaret D. Mathews and C. Steven Yer-rid of Stagg, Hardy & Yerrid, P.A., Tampa, for appellee/cross-appellant.
   BARFIELD, Judge.

The Department of Professional Regulation appeals a final order of the Board of Pilot Commissioners which rejected a hearing officer’s recommended order finding Captain Thomas Baggett negligent in piloting the M/V SCANDINAVIAN STAR, causing the vessel to run aground. We reverse the Board’s final order because the record adequately supports the hearing officer’s findings. We hold that the Board improperly substituted its own judgment for that of the hearing officer’s contrary to section 120.57(1)(b)(10), Florida Statutes (1987). Heifetz v. Department of Business Regulation, 475 So.2d 1277 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985); Reese v. Department of Professional Regulation, 471 So.2d 601 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985); Cohn v. Department of Professional Regulation, 477 So.2d 1039 (Fla. 3d DCA 1985).

Pursuant to section 120.68(13)(a), Florida Statutes (1987), we REVERSE the order of the Board of Pilot Commissioners and REMAND for adoption of the hearing officer’s recommended order. Tuveson v. Florida Governor’s Council On Indian Affairs, 495 So.2d 790 (Fla. 1st DCA 1986).

SMITH, C.J., and ZEHMER, J., concur.