# ReleasableAccidentes

BARDID: NH-2021-0002
State: NH
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-05-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 04:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Massabesic Lake
NearestCityorTown: Auburn
County: Rockingham
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
Subject1 explained that he and Victim had gone out on Massabesic Lake at the boat launch next to the Route 28 bridge.  Both people were in separate kayaks and were fishing.  After being on the water for a few hours, his friend Victim, who had been consuming alcohol, appeared to be intoxicated. 

Subject1 said Victim's words were becoming more and more slurred.  Subject1 said that Victim was several hundred yards ahead of him.  Subject1 did not see Victim go into the water, but heard Victim struggling in the water.  

When he got to Victim, he was in the water and was in and out of consciousness. Subject1 said he brought him to shore and attempted CPR. Subject1's cell phone was wet so he drove back to his residence and called 911 to advise them of his deceased friend.  Fire and EMS were dispatched and confirmed that he was deceased.


BARDID: NH-2021-0003
State: NH
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-05-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:10:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Winnipesaukee
NearestCityorTown: Wolfeboro
County: Carroll
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Weather
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
VESSEL 1 WAS DOCKING AT THE WOLFEBORO TOWN DOCKS.  DUE TO THE WINDS, VESSEL 1 STRUCK VESSEL 2 WHICH WAS DOCKED AT THE WOLFEBORO TOWN DOCKS AND NOT OCCUPIED.


BARDID: NH-2021-0004
State: NH
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-05-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Winnipesaukee
NearestCityorTown: Tuftonboro
County: Carroll
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
Underway at night, steady rain, operator strayed from middle of channel while following companion vessel, to avoid approaching traffic.  After traffic had passed operator attempted to regain middle of channel but overcompensated and ran aground on rocks off opposite shore.  Operator suffered injuries and vessel had functional damage, but was pulled off by companion vessel and operator continued to home dock. Sought medical attention the following day.


BARDID: NH-2021-0006
State: NH
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-06-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: WINNIPESAUKEE
NearestCityorTown: GILFORD
County: BELKNAP
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
Boat 1 was travelling towards Welch and Fish islands on Lake Winnipesaukee.  The boat came around the first navigational buoy and the driver could not see the second buoy, due to a bass boat being in front of it.  The boat hit a rock formation near the island. No one was injured and US Tow towed the boat to Shep Brown's Marina.


BARDID: NH-2021-0009
State: NH
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-06-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:40:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: WINNIPESAUKEE
NearestCityorTown: MOULTONBOROUGH
County: CARROLL
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
CALL CAME IN AS A DISABLED VESSEL THAT HIT ROCKS WHEN ENTERING THE GRAVEYARD, ONLAKE WINNIPESAUKEE, HEADING TOWARDS WOLFEBORO.


BARDID: NH-2021-0010
State: NH
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Winnipesaukee
NearestCityorTown: Wolfeboro
County: Carroll
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Unknown
Visibility: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Boat 1 was approaching the dock at a 45 degree angle.  The vessel then continued drifting. Suddenly the boat launched forward as if the driver had put the throttle all the way down.  This pushed the boat onto the dock.  The boat reversed, coming off the dock, hitting Boat #2, which was unoccupied at the time.


BARDID: NJ-2014-0038
State: NJ
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:37:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Barnegat inlet
NearestCityorTown: Berleley Twp
County: Ocean
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator #1 stated to the effect:  " I was heading out the inlet.  I set my compass for 120 degrees.  I thought I was clear of the inlet, and that is when I hit the rocks.  I didn't see them, I thought I had good water there."   

Investigation revealed: Operator #1 was transiting north east through the , Barnegat Inlet, when he over rode the submerged section of the north jetty.  after talking to  operator #1 , it was learned he was familiar with the area, but was unaware that the submerged jetty was in his direction of travel.  After striking the jetty, vessel #1 began taking on water , and subsequently began to sink. All persons were removed by SSgt   
and USCG Barnegat Light Station personnel.  SSgt assisted Sea Tow in bailing out/towing vessel #1.  vessel as towed to Holiday Harbor Marina, where it was pulled from the water. An Inspection of vessel #1 revealed extensive damage to the hull on the port side aft and damage to both shafts, propellers and rudders. 

The drawing for this accident shows that there are two danger buoys marking the submerged rocks. 

Operator #1 complained of chest pain and was transported t o the hospital for medical care.


BARDID: NJ-2014-0039
State: NJ
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:52:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Barnegat Bay
NearestCityorTown: Berekeley Twp
County: Ocean
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Weather
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator #1 stated: I was anchored at Tices Shoal. A sail Boat came within 15 feet of my stern and anchored. I told him it was too close to my boat and was going to be a hazard when we try to leave due to high winds. The operator of the sail boat remained anchored in the location. When I attempted to leave the sail boat's anchor line became tangled in the starboard propeller of my boat. I entered the water and untangled it by hand. When I had got back on my boat we had drifted into another sailboat causing damage to both vessels. 

Owner of vessel #2 stated: I was anchored at Tices Shoal. It was a windy day with the wind coming out of the south. Both vessels were far enough apart and both vessels were able to move freely about without making contact or coming anywhere near each other. When the boat to my south attempted to leave, he drifted back into my anchor line. I left out more anchor line to assist him in getting it untangled and it freed up my anchor. I then observed him drifting backwards and struggling to gain control of his vessel so I departed the area to avoid a collision. 

Owner of vessel #3 stated: I was anchored at Tices Shoal. A sailboat came and anchored between me and another boat. I thought the sailboat was too close to my boat. I saw the sail boat in front of me leave the area. Then the first boat drifted back and hit my boat. The starboard side of his boat hit my bow pulpit. The boat then swung around and the starboard side of his boat hit the starboard side of my vessel. My anchor line became entangled in his engine. The operator started his engine however my anchor line was stuck in his propeller. The anchor line got cut and I started to drift away. That is when you came and towed me until I was able to get my engine started. I then departed the scene. 

Investigation revealed: Three vessels were anchored in a line facing southbound in Tices Shoal. Vessel #1 was attempting to depart the area. The operator of vessel #1 was using his winless and pulling up the anchor when his vessel drifted back and his propeller became entangled with vessel #2's anchor line. The operator of vessel #1 entered the water to try to untangle the anchor line from the propeller. The owner of vessel #2 was letting out more line to assist operator #1 in untangling them. At this time I arrived on scene and assisted. The owners of the vessels were able o get the vessels untangled. At this time vessel #2 departed the scene to avoid a collision. The undersigned was to the west of vessel #1. Vessel #1 appeared to be underway. Vessel #1 then drifted south and struck vessel #3. Vessel #3 was anchored and not moving at the time of the impact. The starboard side of vessel #1 made contact with the bow pulpit of vessel #3. The vessel then swung around and the starboard side of vessel #1 struck the starboard side of vessel #3. The anchor line of vessel #3 became entangled in the starboard engine of vessel #1. The operator of vessel #1 started the engine and the anchor line was cut. Both vessels then departed the area.


BARDID: NJ-2014-0040
State: NJ
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:36:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Barnegat Inlet
NearestCityorTown: Barnegat Light
County: Ocean
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Steering
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator #1 stated: I was heading south by the lighthouse when I had a problem with my tiller handle.  My boat all of the sudden turned to the left and I hit the other boat. 

Operator #2 stated: I was heading north  by the lighthouse when all of the sudden vessel #1 turned right into me. 

Investigation revealed:  Vessel #1 was heading south by the Barnegat Lighthouse and vessel #2 was heading north by the Barnegat Lighthouse.  Vessel #1 had mechanical issues with the tiller handle causing the vessel to turn hard to port.  Vessel #2 did not have time to take an evasive maneuver to avoid a collision.  Vessel #1 struck vessel #2 with it's bow on the port side amidships.


BARDID: NJ-2014-0041
State: NJ
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 06:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Manasquan River
NearestCityorTown: Point Pleasant Borough
County: Ocean
WaterConditions: Calm
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator #1 stated:  " I was just idling along, the wave runner exploded, and I was thrown into the water." 

Investigation revealed:  Vessel #1 was underway, cruising at idle speed on the Manasquan River.  For an unknown reason, the engine compartment exploded, ejecting operator #1.  Operator #1 was retrieved from the water by a good Samaritan, who relayed him to land.  Point Pleasant FAS then transported him to Brick Memorial Hospital. Vessel #1 was transported to the Curtis Ave ramp where the owner retrieved it. He stated that the vessel had operated fine throughout the day and he was unaware of any mechanical issues that may have caused the explosion.


BARDID: NJ-2014-0042
State: NJ
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-06-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:22:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Delaware river Back Channel
NearestCityorTown: Burlington Twp
County: Burlington
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator #1 stated: I continued north in the Back Channel of the Delaware River after passing Curtains Marina then struck what I thought was an unlit buoy. 
victim#2 stated: I was sitting in the front seat on the port side of the vessel next to the operator. I saw a black shadow in front of me, put my hands up, then we struck something. I yelled for life jackets and swam to Vicvictim43 and brought him back to a piling to hold onto. I assisted Victim4 and Victim1 to the piling. 
victim#3 stated: I was sitting behind the operator on the starboard side facing towards the Stern when I entered the water and was brought back to the piling by Victim2. 
victim#4 stated: I was sitting on the rear bench with my feet up on the rear port side seat with my eyes closed when I struck my head on something, then I woke up in the water hanging onto a Piling. 

Witness #1 stated: I was anchored in the Back Channel approximately 50 yards north of the pier when I heard a crash. I pulled anchor and moved towards the pier and I heard some one calling for and scrambling to find life jackets. I put my light on them and four people were hanging onto a piling. My wife called 911. The boat was about 20 yards south of the piling floating with the current. I stayed on scene until the rescue boat arrived. 

Investigation revealed: Vessel #1 with 4 occupants entered the water at approximately 7:00 PM via the Neshaminy State park Ramp. Vessel #1 traveled north to the Philadelphia Navy Yard then returned south to Curtains Restaurant on the Back Channel of the Delaware River in Burlington City. Passing Curtains Restaurant vessel #1 continued north in the Back Channel. At approximately 10:20 PM in complete darkness of the night, vessel #1 struck the south mooring piling for an abandoned pipe line pier that extends into the Delaware River from land in Burlington Twp.. Vessel #1 struck the piling on the port side of the bow forward of the center line. Vessel #1 came to an abrupt stop, ejecting vicvictim4 #3 into the water and tossing the operator and vicvictim4s #2 and #4 inside the vessel. The vessel's bow immediately went straight up vertical with the stern sinking down into the river. 


Operator #1 was admitted to the hospital for the following injuries: broken L scapula, broken ribs 4th l side, 6th R side, 8 cm laceration over R eye, 2 cm laceration L third finger and abrasions to both knees. 
victim 2 was treated and released for a broken nose, laceration between both eyes, rub vicvictim43s on his backside. 
victim #3 was treated and released for a broken left wrist and abrasions to the forehead. 
victim #4 was treated and released for a concussion, sprained R ankle, stitches on the R knee and R forearm. 

It should be noted: Operator #1 stated his speed at 25 mph. operator #1 stated it was an extremely dark night. South mooring piling has fiberglass and hull pain wedged into the wood and steel. 

Operator #1 was issued a summons for excessive speed for conditions.


BARDID: NJ-2014-0043
State: NJ
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:26:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Manasquan River
NearestCityorTown: Brielle
County: Monmouth
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
Witness #1 stated in effect that he observed vessel #1 turn to try to dock at the marina and then observed the outbound current push and pin vessel #1 to the inlet side pilings. 

Witness #2 stated in effect that vessel #1 was coming into C dock at Hoffman marina  West with a strong out bound current when it ended up sideways in the current at which time the operator was unable to effectively maneuver away from the pilings. 

Operator #1 stated in effect that he was attempting to dock vessel #1 at Hoffman's Marina West "C" dock as per prior arrangements made with the marina staff.  His wife and he were  making their way  back to Maryland from New York and this was his first time on the Manasquan River/ Inlet. As he made his way through the bridge opening, he tried to dock vessel #1 at the "C" dock located immediately to the right of the bridge with her bow facing the out bound tide.  The powerful current then pushed Vessel #1 into the bridge pilings. 

Investigation revealed:  That due to the unfamiliarity of the Manasquan River and it's tide Characteristics, operator #1 was unable to effectively maneuver and dock vessel #1 at the Hoffman Marina West "C" dock, which is located next to the NJ Transit Brielle Draw Bridge .  The powerful out bound tide pushed vessel #1 into the west facing Dolphin casing the damage previously listed.  The NJ transit Bridge sustained no damage.


BARDID: NJ-2014-0044
State: NJ
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:56:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Round Valley Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Lebanon Twp
County: Hunterdon
WaterConditions: Calm
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Unknown
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On this date, Lake Hopatcong Station was advised by State Police Operational Dispatch unit(10 Comm) advising that a kayaker had been missing on Round Valley Reservoir. 

Subsequently subject and the undersigned responded to Round Valley Reservoir where we met with members Of NJSP T.E.A.M.S north unit, Perryville Station, CIO, Missing Persons, NJ Fis and wildlife, and Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office. 

The undersigned met with witness #1. She stated in effect "I saw a head in the water and a Kayak with no person in it. The head went under several times as the person tried to swim to the Kayak, but the kayak was floating further away. It appeared the person had no life vest on, and the person and kayak disappeared from view while I went to the boat launch. He was approximately 100 yards from the shoreline." 

0/14/2014 

Body was covered from 51 ft of water using Side Scan sonar to locate victim #1. Victim #1 was found only wearing a pair of gray shorts. No personal floatation device was found on him or in the area. 

Hunterdon County medical Center made the pronouncement at 1545 hours. 

Further investigation revealed: Upon recovering vessel #1 and the paddle, I noticed that there was a bottle of water, a pair of orange flip flops and a red golf shirt inside the Kayak. No floatation device was found . 

Investigation conclusion: On Wednesday, July 23, 2014 , Operator #1 went kayaking at the Round Valley Reservoir. It is unknown whether Operator #1's kayak capsized or he exited he kayak for an unknown reason not knowing the actual depth of the water. He was seen approximately 100 yards from the shoreline attempting to reach his kayak. The depth of the water at that location is approximately fifty to sixty feet. No floatation device was discovered. He was not a strong swimmer. 

0929/2014 

Medical Examiners report states cause of death o be accidental drowning. Toxicology report is not complete at this time. 

Case pends.


BARDID: NJ-2014-0045
State: NJ
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-06-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:25:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Barnegat Bay
NearestCityorTown: Toms River
County: Ocean
WaterConditions: Calm
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator #1 stated "I was approaching the dock when I pushed the throttle forward instead of reverse causing the boat to strike the dock." 

Investigation revealed Vessel #1 to be approaching the dock when operator #1 improperly operated Vessel #1, causing Vessel #1's bow to strike the dock and bulk head across the waterway. The bow rail was pushed down onto the foot of Victim #1. 

 
dock and bulkhead sustained moderate damage. 

Vessel #1 sustained moderate damage to its bow. 

Victim #1 was transported by MONOC Medivac to Jersey Shore University Medical Center to treat a serious injury to his right foot.


BARDID: NC-2018-0026
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: TAR RIVER
NearestCityorTown: GREENVILLE
County: PITT
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Other
AccidentCause2: Machinery failure
OtherAccidentCause: unseen water hazard
MachineryFailure: Steering
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On May 1, 2018, at approximately 5:15 pm, Pitt County Emergency received a call regarding a boat incident.  The boat was heading west toward the Port Terminal Access Area.  The incident occurred on the Tar River between the Port Terminal Access Area and Yankee Hall, in Pitt County.  The vessel that was in the incident was a 22ft 9in, 2009 Riddick 2290 Bay Runner with a 115 hp outboard motor.  The vessel was operated by owner and had 2 young children and a dog onboard.  It appears that the cause of the incident would be machinery failure in the steering system, which led to Operator losing control of the vessel and striking a tree on the starboard side of the vessel, resulting in half of the vessel grounded on land and half of the vessel under water. 

Operator stated that he and his 2 children put the vessel in the water at Port Terminal earlier in the day, proceeded up stream towards Washington but stopping many times along the way to fish.  Once arrived at Washington, they docked the vessel and went to Bill's Hot dogs to get something to eat.  After eating at Bill's Hot dogs, they went to get ice cream but the store was not opened.  Operator then let his children play in the water by the Island on the waterfront for approximately 30 minutes. While heading back west to Port Terminal Access Area, shortly after passing Yankee Hall , Operator said he felt like he possibly struck something under the water; which then led to striking the starboard side of the vessel, a tree, and the bank.  The children were wearing their personal floatation devices but were thrown around the vessel.  The t-top on the vessel was ripped completely off the vessel into the water.  The vessel finally came to a complete stop. Half of the vessel was grounded on the bank; the other half was submerged under water.

Operator contacted 911 and emergency services arrived on scene.  Greenville Fire and Rescue also assisted.  Pitt county Emergency manager contacted me, the dispatch in Raleigh also contacted me regarding in incident.  Officers proceeded to the scene by vessel.  They took pictures of the vessel and secured the personal belongings.

I then proceeded to Vidant Emergency Medical Center where I came in contact with family members of Operator and his children.  Operator was not available for contact when I first arrived at the Medical center, so I went to speak to a family members in the male child's room.  I spoke with the grandfather briefly before heading back to speak with Operator before he went into the OR for emergency surgery.  As I proceeded to speak with Operator about the incident, he told me what he could remember from launching the boat into the water until striking an object and not being able to control the steering.  I also asked him if I could speak with his children with an adult present and he said yes that would be fine.  After speaking with Operator for approximately 5 minutes, I left so they could get him into the OR.  I then went back to the male child's room and we talked this day and he asked me if I could fix his boat.  The young child was only 4.  I then proceeded to leave Vidant Medical Center.

Operator sustained injuries to his neck and face and was rushed into the OR for surgery.  The male child had injuries to his face which needed 3-4 stitches.  The female child had a skull fracture and injuries to her face which needed 5-6 stitches.  The damage to the vessel was approximately $8000 to $10000.

There were no witnesses to the incident.  Received statements from two Greenville fire and rescue members.  After concluding all the evidence and statements, it appears the cause of the incident would be machinery failure in the steering system which led to striking the tree.  No one has been charged as a result of this incident.


BARDID: NC-2018-0027
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:20:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: GREEN RIVER
NearestCityorTown: SALUDA
County: POLK
WaterConditions: Unknown
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On May 5, 2018 at Approximately 14:20, 19 yo operator was involved in a fatal kayaking accident on the Green River in Polk County, NC.  

Operator and a friend, Subject1, were running a stretch of the Green River in Henderson and Polk counties known as the Green River Narrows.  The Narrows area is a stretch of Class V+ waters that draws the most experienced kayakers from all over the world.  Operator had attempted to run one of the biggest rapids on the river known as “Go Left and Die”.   Operator had run the Green River narrows over a thousand times according to his friend Subject1, and was one of the most experienced kayakers that he knew. 

The following was a statement taken from his friend Subject1 who witnessed the accident:

 “Operator was running the rapids main flow and pinned in the right side of the rapid with his head out of the water.  The water from the rapid was running up his back and spraying over his head leaving his face exposed.  He pulled his spray skirt, which is used to keep you in your boat and keep water out.  Once he did this, the boat filled with water and shifted down from a vertical pin to a horizontal pin.  Still exposed, he looked to be in a stable position but told us that his leg was stuck in his boat because the force of the water and its power against the rock crushed the boat on top of his legs.  Soon Operators head went under water.”

The force of the water ripped his helmet and PFD off him while he was under water and washed them down stream.  

More kayakers had arrived on scene and some paddled on down the river for the additional 4+miles to the take out to call for help.  After about an hour and a half, the group of kayakers had tied off ropes to the shore line and had managed to pull his body and boat out of the pin in the river rapid.  They performed CPR but Operator had been under water for an hour and a half.  

This is an extremely remote and rugged area located on North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Green River Game Lands and requires a several hours response time for EMS personnel.  The closest access to the river at this location is by repelling down a steep eroded trail and is about two miles from the nearest public road.  The cause of death was determined to be drowning by the coroner on May 6, 2018.


******************************END OF REPORT*****************************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0028
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2018-05-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ATLANTIC OCEAN
NearestCityorTown: EMERALD ISLE
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Very rough
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause2: Weather
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On Friday May 18, 2018 at approximately 1500 hours, vessel 1 capsized in the Bogue Inlet in Emerald Isle, NC.  Onboard vessel 1 were two people.  The operator and his passenger were fishing at the time the incident occurred.  

According to the operator of vessel 1, vessel 1 was proceeding into the inlet from fishing in the Atlantic Ocean when suddenly, a wave crashed over the starboard stern of the vessel.  The water rushed over the stern and the wave crashing caused vessel 1 to capsize.  The operator and passenger found themselves under the vessel.  The operator and passenger swam to the surface and climbed onto the hull of vessel 1.  After vessel 1 capsized, the T top struck the bottom causing the top to break off. The top came to the surface.  The operator got on the floating T top.  The passenger stayed with the hull.  The operator was swept out to sea onboard the broken T top.  The passenger was swept off the hull of vessel 1 and found himself being pulled out to sea. 

The passenger decided to swim for the shore.  The passenger finally made it to the shore and was seen by people on the beach at approximately 8 pm. 

The Coast Guard then responded with launching teams.  Vessel 1 was ashore at the Emerald Isle beach.  The operator continued to hold onto the broken top all night.  The operator was recovered at 4 am Saturday morning by one of the Coast Guard crews.  The operator and passenger were sent to Carteret General for treatment.  The operator had a bruised right wrist and was treated for dehydration.  The passenger was treated for buildup of lactic acid in his muscles from the long swim back to shore.  Vessel 1 was a total loss.  Both men were treated and were hospitalized for observation.  

The cause of the incident was from the extreme water conditions from the storm system that was occurring at the time of the incident.

*************************END OF REPORT******************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0029
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-04-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: LINVILLE RIVER
NearestCityorTown: MORGANTON
County: BURKE
WaterConditions: Unknown
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On april 28, 2018 at approximately 18:00, two people were traveling downstream on kayaks on the linville river near pitch-in trail. 
 
Operator hit a rock with the bow of his kayak pushing the entire bow under the rock.  The water pushing against the stern of the kayak pushed Operator further down in the water against the rock.   Operator became vertically entrapped under the surface of the water.  Subject2 said Operator was visible under the surface but could only see his hands waving above the water.  Subject2 stated Operator sank approximately five feet underwater still inside the kayak.  

Subject2 attempted to dislodge the kayak by hand and by rope, but was unsuccessful.  After approximately five to seven minutes, Subject2 lost his rope in the rapids and ran upstream blowing his whistle to get help.   Another group of kayakers were just upstream from the incident and responded to the scene in approximately 20 minutes.  

Subject3 was the first kayaker to arrive to the scene and found Operator in his kayak several hundred feet from the site of the incident.  Subject3 pulled Operator to shore with no signs of life and immediately started cpr.   911 was contacted at approximately 18:30.  Subject3 continued cpr for approximately 30 minutes with no signs of life.  

Operator was an expert kayaker with over ten years of experience and several successful trips down the linville river gorge.  Operator was wearing a type 5 pfd, helmet, and elbow pads.

********************end of report********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0030
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2018-05-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: WILMINGTON
County: NEW HANOVER
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday May 20, 2018, Operator1 was fishing and starting his vessel up in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.  Operator1 was anchored with his bow facing North East.  At the same time, three large motor yachts were travelling up the ICW from Carolina Beach.  The lead yacht was named “Baby Doll” and had just overtaken a sport fishing vessel named the “Alyssa.”  The last vessel in the line was the Garden Party.  Seeing that the vessels were slowing down, Operator2 passed the “Alyssa.”  As the “Baby Doll” was traveling North, it would slow down when other vessels were around or passing closely by houses with docks.  The “Baby Doll” slowed down to allow smaller vessels to maneuver as to not cause a large wake.  When Garden Party decided to overtake the “Baby Doll” on the starboard side, the resulting wake from the “Garden Party” swamped Operator1 and his vessel before the third and final wake from the Garden Party capsized Operator1's vessel.   

Immediately following the incident, the captain on board, the “Alyssa” began to hail the “Garden Party” on channel 16 that they had just capsized another vessel,  When there was no response from the “Garden Party,” the United States Coast Guard North Carolina Sector was notified of the incident.  The “Alyssa,” stayed on scene until a smaller unknown vessel picked the three persons in the water up to include Operator1 and took them back to Carolina Beach State Park boat ramp.  The USCG Wrightsville Beach and Officer, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission caught up with all three-large vessels in front of the Bridgetender Marina at Wrightsville Beach. 

After completing the investigation, Operator2 was charged by the USCG Wrightsville Beach for negligent operation.  Operator1's vessel was a complete loss.

*************************END OF REPORT******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0031
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-03-31 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE GASTON
NearestCityorTown: LITTLETON
County: WARREN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 4-11-18, i received a call from virginia conservation officer. He informed me that there had been a boating incident on lake gaston in lizard creek near the north carolina/virginia line.  Officer said subject reported a property damage only incident to the virginia conservation police during the second week of april 2018.  Officer determined that the incident actually occurred in the north carolina portion of lizard creek.  On april 11, 2018 officer contacted me to provide the specifics and contact information for the vessel owner.
 
After reaching out to the vessel owner, subject, i determined the incident was in fact a reportable incident of property damage only.  There were no injuries and no other vessels or property involved.  According to subject, around 1pm on 3-31-18, he and 10 passengers left the dock of his lake gaston home traveling north toward virginia in lizard creek.  Subject said he was in approximately 8 feet of water about 40 feet away from neighboring docks traveling at a speed less than 5mph.  While underway, a few hundred yards north of his dock, subject described seeing his depth finder go from 8 feet to 3 feet and almost simultaneously felt his 2004, 23 foot mastercraft, inboard vessel strike an unseen object submerged below the waterline.  He immediately returned to his dock and placed his vessel on the lift to inspect the damage.  Neither subject nor any of the passengers on board were injured.  After inspecting his vessel, subject found significant damage to the propeller, shaft, rudder, and engine.  His vessel is currently being repaired at a mastercraft dealer with an estimated repair cost of $7,000.

Subject is adamant that a danger buoy needs to be placed in this location.  Sgt. has discussed the matter with subject.

****************************end of report********************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0032
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Badin Lake
NearestCityorTown: Badin
County: Stanly
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On sunday may 13, 2018 around 7:30 p.m, a boating incident occurred on badin lake near the designated swimming area in the town of badin across from 293 hwy 740 badin, nc.  The vessel is a 11 foot 2017 sea doo bombardier gtx ltd 300 personal watercraft.  The operator at the time of the incident was the owners brother-in law.  The female passenger was the operator's daughter.  The operator stated that they were traveling around 50 to 60 mph as another vessel passed them from head on heading towards the badin lake access area.  The operator attempted to jump the vessel's wake that had passed them.  Operator1 was well away from the other vessel by at least 75 yards.  Once the personal watercraft made contact with the wake of the other vessel, the impact threw the operator and the passenger from the personal watercraft.  During the ejection, the female passenger's leg made contact with the personal watercraft causing a small laceration and swelling.

operator1 and his passenger, were cruising on the personal watercraft heading towards the badin access area.  Operator1 saw another vessel coming towards him and decided to jump the wake of the oncoming vessel once it passed.  Operator1, traveling at a high speed made contact with the wake of the other vessel which caused him to lose control and be ejected from the personal watercraft.   The female passengerwas also ejected.  During the ejection the passenger’s leg struck a portion of the watercraft.  The passenger experienced immediate pain in her lower left leg.  

The vessel that caused the wake saw what had taken place and turned around to assist the personal watercraft.  The vessel picked up v1 subjects into their boat.  Once secured in the vessel, operator1 then got back onto the personal watercraft and went to the badin access area. The vessel transported victim to the badin lake access area.  

The first responders and ems arrived at the badin lake access area.  V1 occupant was transported to stanly reginal hospital where she was examined.   She had no broken bones or further injuries other than swelling and a very small laceration on her left shin.  V1 occupant was treated and released from stanly regional hospital within a couple of hours.   I spoke with operator1 by phone on thursday may 17th around 11:25 a.m.  he stated that v1 occupant had no further injuries to her leg according the pediatrician.  

All safety equipment was accounted for.  V1 occupant was the only one injured in the boating incident.  Alcohol and/or drugs was not a factor in this incident.  No one was charged as a result of this boating incident.  It appears the incident was caused by operator1 traveling at an excessive speed and hitting the wake from another vessel due to operator inexperience.  No damage was done to the personal watercraft or any other property.  No other witnesses came forward pertaining to this incident.

********************end of report********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0033
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ROANOKE SOUND
NearestCityorTown: NAGS HEAD
County: DARE
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday, May 26, 2018 at approximately 12:45 pm, Operator1 was operating vessel 1 and Operator2 was operating vessel 2 with his cousin as a passenger.  A large group had been taking turns operating the two jet skis on the Roanoke Sound while visiting family in Nags Head.  

Operator1 and Operator2 were approximately 100 yards apart heading towards each other in a wide arc when Operator1 got water in his eyes and did not see the other PWC and at the same time Operator2 lost sight of Operator1 until they were in very close proximity to one another.  

Operator1 stated that he tried to use the brakes and Operator2 attempted to maneuver his vessel to the port side.  Operator1' vessel continued straight on and struck Operator2's vessel on the starboard side causing both occupants of vessel2 to be ejected.  

Vesse1l then travelled overtop Operator2's vessel.  Family onshore saw the incident happen and waded out to the victims and aided them returning to shore where they were met by EMS and Operator2 and v2 occupant were transferred to the Outer Banks Hospital for their injuries.  Operator1 was not injured in the incident and there was no new visible damage to either PWC.  Neither operator had taken the required boating education course and all occupants wore PFDS.

******************END OF REPORT******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0034
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-04-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: FALLS LAKE
NearestCityorTown: DURHAM
County: DURHAM
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator2 was operating a  2004 honda pwc.(vessel # 2), operator1 was also operating a 2004 honda pwc. (vessel # 1).  They were operating on falls lake near rollingview swim beach around 17:30 hours on 4/28/18.  Physical evidence indicates that operator2 (vessel # 2) struck operator1's pwc (vessel #1) on the starboard side at a 30 degree head on angle.  

The impact broke operator1's right leg, and caused a large skull fracture on the right side of his head.  He was pronounced dead on scene by ems.  Transfer marks from both vessels indicate that operator2's pwc (vessel # 2) jumped over top of operator1's pwc.  

vessel # 1 sustained heavy damage to the starboard side gunwale, and the starboard side cowling.   Operator2's pwc sustained damage to the bow.  There were no witnesses.  It is evident that operator2 didn't maintain the required 100 foot distance as to avoid collision.  Operator2 was charged with careless and negligent operation. G.s. 75a-10(a)

***************************end of report**************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0035
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:30:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: FRENCH BROAD RIVER
NearestCityorTown: MARSHALL
County: BUNCOMBE
WaterConditions: Calm
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at approximately 930 am, Operator was kayaking alone in the French Broad River at Ledges River Park in Buncombe County, North Carolina.  While kayaking adjacent to Ledges River Park, the kayak capsized with victim inside.  The capsized kayak, with victim still inside, continued floating downstream until it became wedged between rocks.  Victim was unable to free himself from the capsized kayak and succumbed to his injuries.

******************END OF REPORT********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0036
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-04-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:02:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: MCGHEES MILL LAKE
NearestCityorTown: SEMORA
County: PERSON
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Equipment failure
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
EquipmentFailure: Auxiliary
OtherEquipmentFailure: motor clamp
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On 4/25/2018 at approximately 19:02,  a call came into Person county 911 in reference to a boat that was found floating in Mcghees Mill area of Hyco Lake.  The subjects informed communications that the boat was empty and that the motor was messed up and that they were towing it to the dock.  Shortly thereafter, a Pontoon boat with 2 subjects in it came along and found the body of Victim1 floating in the water.  They notified 911.  Person County Sheriffs office and Person County Search and Rescue responded to the scene.  I was notified at approximately 20:45 and immediately notified Sgt..  Myself, Sgt., and Lt. responded to the scene.  

Victim1's body had already been transported to Person Memorial Hospital.  The search went on for Victim2 until around 00:00. Victim2's body was found on 4/29/2018 across the lake from where Victim1 and the boat were found.  Without any witnesses or any survivors we have had to use the boat's condition to try to tell what happened.  
According to Victim2's family that was the first time that the boat was put on the water since he bought the boat used in Late December 2017 or early January 2018.  We had a diagnostic run on the boat motor which told us that there was less than 1.5 hours on the motor and it had only been cranked 8 times (3 of which were at the marina when they were trying to get the motor running properly).  We have concluded that the boat was going down the lake and when Victim2 went to make a turn, the motor clamp on the left side of the boat's transom came loose and caused the motor to torque, which caused the boat to come up on its side for a brief second and throw Victim1 and Victim2 out of the boat.  

Neither were wearing a personal flotation device and ultimately both drowned.  The boat's motor cut off because of the safety system built in when the RPMS of the motor get too high for too long. (the diagnostic also showed this)  The cutoff switch for the motor was still attached to the motor and was not being worn by Victim2.

***************************END OF REPORT******************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0037
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-04-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:40:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: DENVER
County: LINCOLN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel #1 involved in the accident was a blue super air natique g 25 operated by the owner.   Vessel#  2 was a 31-foot premier double decker pontoon boat that was docked and unoccupied at westport marina.  

Vessel #1 was attempting to back into the forklift loading area to be taken out of the water.  When operator1 was backing into the area and pushed the throttle  in reverse, which caused him to back into the gas boat dock with his boat striking the swim platform.  At this time operator1 tried to correct the situation by pressing the throttle forward.   Operator1 pressed the throttle forward too much and the boat started moving at a faster speed.  The boat then struck the boat slip (dock #1) owned by westport marina.  Vessel #1 continued into the dock and overtop of it into the port side and rear of vessel #2.  The vessel continued out of control across the cove into dock #2.  The front of vessel # 1 struck the pylon, which held the middle finger of dock #2 in place.  Then after striking the pylon vessel #1 struck the last finger of the dock causing damage to the top and side of the dock.

Property damage
Dock at westport marina.  Damaged wood, corner pieces and rubber rail.

damage included a broken pylon, damage pile hoop, wood, and rubber railing.

*******************end of report************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0038
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: HOLDEN BEACH
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday, May 12, 2018 at approximately 1500, a large vessel displaying the name "Get Away'' from St. Petersburg Florida pushed a large wake into a marina were several vessels were docked.  Attempts were made to stop the passing vessel but the captain refused to stop for the general public.  Contact could not be made by enforcement and Coast Guard was unable to accommodate requests from the public to stop the "Get Away" vessel.  Three large fishing vessels sustained various damages. 

"The individual was running full speed in the waterway, attempts to flag him down were made, people on the docks tried to get him to slow down, someone also tried to run him down in order to ask him to stop on a boat, would not stop. Side of shrimp boat is busted.  (approx 4 ft. wake created).

PLEASE NOTE:  THERE WERE 4 VESSELS INVOLVED IN THIS INCIDENT CAUSED BY THE "UNKNOWN" VESSEL 1'S WAKE.  THE OTHER 3 VESSELS THAT WERE INVOLVED WERE ALL DOCKED AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT AND DID NOT HAVE ANYONE ON THEM AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT.

*******************END OF REPORT****************


BARDID: NC-2018-0039
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2018-05-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 06:04:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: PAMLICO SOUND
NearestCityorTown: NAGS HEAD
County: Dare
WaterConditions: Choppy
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
AccidentCause2: Weather
AccidentCause3: Congested waters
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On 04 May 2018 around 0542, the operator of vessel “Tight Line” was going through the “Short Cut” channel in the Pamlico Sound west of the Bonner Bridge.  Operator1 was coming to the end of the channel and had his spotlight on looking for the next set of buoys to get to the main channel.  When he was going through the two unlit buoys, he hit an unknown underwater structure or the shoal causing damage to the props, shafts, rudder posts and hull.  

At 0545, Operator1 called Tow Boat US thinking he was just hung up on a shoal.  At 0600 he noticed he was starting to take on water and called the Coast Guard.  While he was waiting for the Coast Guard, charter boats were going by causing a wake which caused excessive amounts of water to flow into his vessel which caused it to sink lower into the water causing water to go into the engine room and damaging both engines.  The Coast Guard took the crew off the boat and Tow Boat US towed the boat to a Blue Water Marina in Wanchese. Alcohol or drugs didn't contribute to the incident and no violation was issued.

******************END OF REPORT***********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0040
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: HYCO LAKE
NearestCityorTown: SEMORA
County: PERSON
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On 05/23/2018, Day 143 of the calendar year, between the time of 15:00 and 15:30 that afternoon, there was a collision between two vessels owned by subjects.  I was contacted by Officer at 16:02 informing me of the collision and the whereabouts to which it occurred on Hyco Lake.  I immediately proceeded towards Hyco Lake from northern Wake County.  

At 16:38, I was informed by Officer that both vessels were underway and returning to the owner’s property.  I arrived at the residence at approximately 17:00 and was greeted by Owner1 at the front of the property.  We then proceeded to the back of the property and down to the dock where the motorboat was moored.  There was also a small group of people consisting of young adults and minors gathered on the dock and in the backyard area near the lake shore.  I made my way onto the dock and noticed the damage to the port side and front windshield and the windshield frame located directly in front of the passenger seat of the 2004 Stingray motorboat. There was extensive fiberglass damage along the gunwale to the port side of the 2004 Stingray (Vessel 1) beginning at the open seating area near the bow in front of the windshield, down towards the transom forward of the stern.  Damage was also included to the rub rail, its aluminum sleeve and aluminum frame sun canopy.  

I then turned my attention towards the 2010 Yamaha Wave Runner (Vessel 2), a personal watercraft, and noticed only minor scratches/transfer marks to the starboard side rub rail, gunwale and registration decal.  The 2010 Yamaha was also apparently taking on water inside the engine compartment as it was checked twice while on scene during the investigation.  The water level inside the engine compartment had risen when checked the second time.  It was then put on the lift and raised above the water level.  I did not notice any cracks running along the hull or elsewhere.  Note: visibility was limited due to the 2010 Yamaha only being lifted slightly above the waterline limiting my access to the hull and jet/propulsion area for inspection. 

Vessel 1 was operated by Operator1 which included two passengers, V1 occupant1 (port side passenger seat) and V1 occupant2 (port side, transom passenger area).  Vessel 1 also was towing a wakeboarder but not at the time of incident. 

Vessel 2 was operated by Operator2 and included one passenger, V2 occupant.

After interviewing both operators involved and passengers involved, it appears that Vessel 1 and Vessel 2 operators were given permission by owner1 to operate their respective vessels.  Vessel 1, operated by Operator1, was attempting to tow subject4 on a wakeboard.  He was unsuccessful in his attempt to plane off with his wakeboard and released the ski rope causing him to no longer be towed by Vessel 1.  

Vessel 1, having noticed Subject4's failed attempt, circled around to offer the ski rope to him and a second attempt to successfully plane off on his wakeboard.  As Vessel 1 approached Subject4 floating in the water with the assistance of his personal flotation device, engine throttle was quickly reduced to slow the advance of the vessel to assist Subject4 in grasping the ski rope as it proceeded past him.  As Vessel 1's speed sharply declined to one or two miles per hour, Vessel 2, operated by Operator2, collided into the port side near the stern of Vessel 1. 

Operator2 admitted he was attempting to jump the wake of Vessel 1 and did not account for Operator1 reducing the throttle to Vessel 1 as quickly as he did.  Operator2 stated, he anticipated jumping the wake from a distance of approximately 20-30ft behind the stern of Vessel 1.   Furthermore, Operator2 admitted to jumping the wake of Vessel 1 from the stated proximity several times that day without incident.  

Upon collision, Vessel 2 travelled along the port side gunwale from the stern towards the bow breaking the sun canopy's support arm, which in turn struck V1 occupant1 in the head causing a small laceration within the hairline. V1 occupant1 did not seek medical attention, never requested medical attention and refused medical attention after I inquired if he thought he needed medical attention during my investigation at the property.  

As vessel 2 continued along the gunwale of vessel 1, damage also occurred to the frame of the front port side windshield and the windshield was shattered.  When vessel 2 collided into vessel 1, it dislodged passenger from the seat causing him to fall inside the passenger area of vessel 1 and Operator2 was dislodged into the water of Hyco Lake.  Both occupants of vessel 2 were wearing PFDS.  There were no other injuries reported or otherwise observable besides the laceration V1 occupant1 received.  Vessel 1 and 2 were driven back to the residence by their operators.

Both operators admitted to never completing a Boater Education Safety Course.

**********************END OF REPORT************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0041
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: SMITH CREEK
NearestCityorTown: WILMINGTON
County: NEW HANOVER
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator rented the personal watercraft from Riverwalk Watersports LLC and was following his family and an employee from Riverwalk Watersports on a guided trip when they went up Smith Creek.  When they were traveling up Smith Creek behind Wilmington Airport (designation ILM), Operator struck a submerged object with the personal watercraft.  At the time of the incident, Operator was ejected from the vessel and landed in the water.  Operator was wearing an approved type III personal flotation device.  Operator and the employee from Riverwalk Watersports then righted the personal watercraft and began to tow the sinking vessel back to the dock.  Once at the dock, Riverwalk Watersports contacted Officer with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Officer responded to the dock and began the investigation.

The personal watercraft sustained a rectangle shaped hole in the starboard stern side of the hull.  The hole is approximately 6 inches wide and 24 inches long.

***************************END OF REPORT***************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0042
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ADAMS CREEK
NearestCityorTown: MERRIMON
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (non-fuel)
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On Friday, May 25, 2018, around 14:30, Operator was out on his 40ft. Viking vessel in Adams Creek.  He was traveling North to Oriental to eat lunch with his wife, two friends and a small dog.  He was cruising at about 15 knots when he heard a loud pop.  He looked back and saw black smoke.  Operator immediately shut the power down and went to the engine room to investigate.  He pulled the motor hatch up and immediately flames shot out of the engine room, so he quickly grabbed the nearest fire extinguisher to try to put out the flames.  When that fire extinguisher was empty Operator grabbed a second fire extinguisher and used it to try to put out the flames, but it ran out before he could extinguish all the flames.  The fire grew rapidly and that's when operator ordered everyone off the boat.  So everyone jumped in the water.  Luckily at that time another vessel came by and assisted everyone out of the water and onto their vessel. 

Around 14:50 that day, I received a call from Officer about a boat on fire in Adams Creek.  He told me he was enroute and I told him I would be there shortly.  Sea Tow and Towboat US arrived on scene around the same time.  When I arrived on scene at approximately 15:55, Officer Ingle and the Coast Guard were already on scene along with Beaufort and Cherry Point Fire Departments.  At that time, the vessel was completely burned down to the hull and fire crews were still attempting to put it out.  Tow Boat US hauled the vessel out of the water on Wednesday May 31, 2018 at 2:00 am. 

After the vessel was hauled in on land, it was inspected for damage.  A large hole in the muffler was found along with more damage on the portside stern than on the starboard side stern.  This leads to the conclusion that the fire started in the muffler on the portside and spread throughout the vessel.  It was determined that the most likely cause of the incident was failure of the water pump system or heat exchange system causing the muffler to over heat and burn up.  The total estimated loss of the vessel was $40,000 and no injuries were reported.

BARD, PLEASE NOTE:  THE PART OF THE REPORT THAT HAS WHAT SYSTEMS FAILED DID NOT HAVE A SELECTION FOR "WATER PUMP SYSTEM FAILURE" AND THAT IS WHY NOTHING WAS SELECTED IN THAT AREA.

******************************END OF REPORT***********************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0043
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ADAMS CREEK
NearestCityorTown: BEAUFORT
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Choppy
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 7, 2018 around 10:30 am, Operator1 and his business associate had just fueled up and were leaving the Jarrett Bay Marina.  Operator1 was operating his 44' Catamaran, Lyndy.  As they were backing out of the marina, another vessel was attempting to turn into the marina, so Operator1 stayed to the right of the marina, close to the dock.  But as he entered core creek, his vessel got caught in the current and it pushed his Catamaran into the anchor pulpit of a 90' sportfish vessel, Jaruco, that was docked at the marina.  Jaruco's anchor pulpit slammed into the starboard side of Lyndy's fly bridge.  Lyndy got hung up on the pulpit for several minutes until an employee of Jarrett Bay, was notified and jumped into a skiff and pulled the vessel off the pulpit.  The collision caused major damage to Lyndy's flybridge, outrigger and control box handrail.  There was also damage to the paint and body of Jaruco's anchor pulpit, the anchor was bent and there were a few scratches around the edge of the pulpit.  Luckily no one was injured.  The estimated damage to the Catamaran was $15,000 and the estimated damage to the Sportfish vessel was $7,000.

*********************END OF REPORT************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0044
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: CAROLINA BEACH
County: NEW HANOVER
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Other
OtherAccidentCause: improper instruction
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday June 9, 2018 at approximately 1330 hours, 16 year old operator was operating a personal watercraft (PWC) south on the ICW 0.9 of a mile north of Carolina Beach Inlet.  Her father was supervising as a rear passenger on the PWC.  The family had rented this and another PWC from Wilmington Jet Ski Rentals out of Carolina Beach and received instruction from the business prior to operating.  The family stated that part of the instruction included how to navigate the channel markers along the ICW.  They stated that they were told the green channel markers meant "go" and the red markers meant "dead" and to stay away from the red markers and go towards the green.  

As Operator was traveling south on the ICW, her and her father stated they were looking for a green channel marker and did not see any.  They stated that all of a sudden they came to an abrupt stop when they hit a sandbar.  When they hit the sandbar, both passengers lunged forward and Operator's left hand/wrist jammed against the handlebars of the PWC breaking her wrist in two places.  Three Marine Fisheries officers were nearby and transported her to Inlet Watch Marina where she was checked out by EMS.  EMS advised her to go to urgent care to have her writst X-rayed.  X-rays showed that her left wrist was broken in two places.

During the investigation Sgt. and Officer went back to talk with the owner of the vessel livery.  Owner stated that he would talk with whoever gave the instruction on the channel markers and get that cleared up.  It was determined that the PWC he had rented had been purchased by him a year and he had never transferred ownership or registration.  Owner was issued a citation for an expired registration on the PWC.  The handlebar cover on the PWC was cracked as a result of this accident with an estimated damage of $50.

*********************END OF REPORT********************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0045
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALEMARLE SOUND
NearestCityorTown: HERTFORD
County: PERQUIMANS
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Weather
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On Friday June 6, 2018 at approximately 2:30 PM, Operator and his wife left their boat dock in Hertford, NC.  The couple took their 17-foot Glasstream bass boat out heading southeast into the Albemarle Sound.  After realizing it was too rough and windy, Operator decided to turn around and head back to land.  When he turned the vessel northwest to head back to the dock, a wave came over the stern and swamped the vessel making it capsize.  They decided to exit the vessel grabbing a PFD and Cooler to aid them in swimming back to shore.  The USCG Helicopter retrieved the couple from the water safely.

There were no injuries as a result of this incident.

**********************END OF REPORT*******************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0046
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:29:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE TILLERY
NearestCityorTown: NORWOOD
County: MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Restricted vision
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On may 5, 2018 at around 9:29 pm, stanly county dispatch received a call in reference to a boat incident that occurred on lake tillery in norwood.  Raleigh notified officer and i about the incident and advised that a norwood police officer was on scene.  

Officer and i arrived on scene at around 10:45 pm and began interviewing the subjects that were involved with the incident.  The vessel involved was a 23 foot 6 inch 1996 bayliner ciera 2355 fiberglass boat.  The registration was nc 8128 wy.  The vessel was traveling south approximately 25 yards off the shore when it collided with a dock.  After the collision the vessel then left the scene still traveling south.  

The investigation concluded that at around 9:00 pm, the vessel nc 8128 wy left boat house bar and grill with all five individuals listed in the report and traveled south for approximately a mile before colliding with the dock.  After the collision, the vessel continued south and docked.  Damage to the vessel was located around the bow and matched the damage caused to dock.  An operator for the vessel could not be determined because no one on board would cooperate with the investigation.   All subjects exhibited signs of alcohol impairment.  
 
The witness to the incident and caller was located.  He was unable to identify the vessel's operator during the time of incident.  The dock involved had four main floor planks and the main joist located in the water damaged during the incident.  The damage to the dock was consistent with the type of damage caused when a vessel's bow strikes a fixed object.   Damage to vessel included scratches and wood chips located on the bow of the vessel and around the bow eye. 

All safety equipment for the boat in question was accounted for and the navigation lights were turned on and operational.  It appears the incident was caused by an adverse environmental condition (night time), failure to keep a proper lookout, and operator inattention.  All passengers were uninjured during the incident.  At this time it is undetermined if alcohol or drugs were contributing factors since an operator could not be determined.   No criminal charges have been filed.   Property damage was estimated to be around $3,000.   Also, there is no mb 4.1 attached to this report due to operator being unknown. Officers are still seeking information about the vessel operator.

******************end of report*********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0047
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BADIN LAKE
NearestCityorTown: NEW LONDON
County: MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent2: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Other
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On saturday may 26, 2018 around 11:45 am, a boating incident occurred on badin lake at the old north state club marina in the town of new london, in montgomery county.  The incident occurred across from waterton lane at the old north state club at uwharrie point.  The vessel involved in the incident is a 22 foot 2018 super air nautique multi-sport.  The female passenger injured as a result of this incident is victim, the wife of owner.  Victim was sitting in the middle passenger seat on the port-side of the vessel at the time of the incident.  Victim fractured her wrist while attempting to stop the vessel from colliding with the marina dock.  This occurred when the operator of the vessel, operator, son of owner, was attempting to dock the vessel. 

Operator was attempting to park the vessel at the last dock on the southern end of the old north state club marina.  Operator stated that the vessel was traveling under 10 mph and was drifting towards the dock.  As the vessel was approaching the dock, the wind caused the vessel to glide towards the dock at a speed that would cause an impact to the port side of the vessel.   Victim, attempted to prevent the vessel from striking the dock by reaching out with her left hand in a supine position.  As a result of victim attempt to stop the momentum of the vessel, her left wrist was injured, and an audible snapping noise was heard by another passenger. 

The vessel was then tied to the dock and emergency personnel were notified.   First responders arrived at the old north state club marina around 12:05 pm.  Victim was transported to stanly regional hospital where she was examined and treated for a dislocated and fractured left wrist.  Victim was released from stanly regional hospital within a couple of hours.   I spoke with owner by phone on friday june 1, 2018 around 03:10 pm.   He stated that victim had surgery on her left wrist to fix a fractured bone and the surgeon also had to repair extensive damage to the blood vessels in her left wrist. 

It appears that the momentum of the vessel and the attempt to prevent damage to the vessel by victim caused her wrist to be injured while reaching out to grab the dock.  This resulted in a fractured wrist and blood vessel damage.   This appears to be a judgement error by the occupant and inexperience of the operator with docking a vessel.   All required safety items were accounted for and victim was the only occupant injured in this boating incident.   Alcohol and/or drugs was not a factor in this incident.  No one was charged as a result of this boating incident and there was no damage to the vessel or any other property.

****************end of report*********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0048
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BANKS CHANNEL
NearestCityorTown: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
County: NEW HANOVER
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On 04 June 2018, at approximately 17:00, Operator1 was traveling south on Bank's Channel, when she began texting a friend about dinner plans at a local restaurant.  Operator1 stated she was only texting for a brief period when she struck vessel #2.  Operator1 was ejected from her vessel when the crash occurred.  After the crash, vessel #1 was unoccupied and continued to travel north on Bank's Channel at a high rate of speed.  Vessel #1 traveled unoccupied for approximately one half-mile before it struck two docks on the east side of Bank's Channel.  Operator1 stated the passengers on vessel #2 threw her a Type IV PFD and assisted her into their boat.

Operator2 stated he was traveling south on Bank's Channel when vessel #1 struck the starboard side of his vessel.  He stated when he first saw vessel #1 it was traveling south on Bank's Channel approximately 150yds away and that the next time he saw vessel #1, it was just prior to impact.  Operator2 stated he was unable to avoid being struck due to the high rate of speed at which vessel #1 was traveling.  Operator2 stated that after vessel #1 struck his vessel, he watched it travel north on Bank's Channel and ran into several docks.  Operator2 was unaware of anyone being ejected from vessel #1 and thought vessel #1 was trying to leave the scene after the crash occurred.  After vessel #1 had run into the docks, he realized that it was unoccupied and at that point he observed the operator of vessel #1 in the water and threw her a PFD and assisted her into his boat.

a passenger on vessel #2, stated he observed Operator1 texting on her phone just before the crash.  He stated he was seated just in front of the console and looked right at Operator1 prior to impact.

Vessel #1 was traveling approximately 30 mph when it struck vessel #2.  Vessel #1 struck vessel #2 mid way down on the starboard side and traveled down the starboard side of vessel #2 causing extensive damage to both vessels.  

Operator1 indicated in her statement and to the passengers on vessel #2 that she had both hands on her phone, was looking down, and never saw or reduced her speed prior to striking vessel #2.

There were no injuries as a result of the boating crash.

Officer with Wrightsville Beach PD administered a PBT test on Operator1, which was positive (0.05).

***********************END OF REPORT************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0049
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:10:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BANKS CHANNEL
NearestCityorTown: SURF CITY
County: PENDER
WaterConditions: Rough
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On 15 June 2018, at approximately 19:00, Operator stated he was entering Topsail Inlet from the Ocean.  As he approached Banks Channel, he ran aground on a sandbar.   Operator stated he attempted to get off the sandbar but the current from the incoming tide was too strong.   After being on the sandbar for approximately 10-15 minutes, several large waves struck the side of Operator's boat causing the keel to break off.   Operator stated once the keel broke, the boat began taking on water and within two minutes the vessel was submerged.

Operator stated a passing boat picked up him and his wife and brought them to shore.

Operator stated it was his first time coming in Topsail Inlet and that he used his GPS and maps to navigate, but the maps did not accurately mark the deep water.

There were no injuries as a result of the boating crash.

*******************END OF REPORT********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0050
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: WILMINGTON
County: NEW HANOVER
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Steering
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday June 10, 2018, Operator had just picked up two passengers at Anchors Bend Marina and was traveling North on the ICW.   Approximately .4 miles North of Anchors Bend, Operator turned the steering wheel to the left to cross the wake of another vessel heading South.  When the steering wheel was turned, the steering column broke and the steering wheel came off.  When the steering column broke, the vessel turned to the starboard side and ejected the three uninjured passengers.  Operator was the last one to get ejected from the vessel as it was turning to the starboard side.  Operator hit the side of the vessel and was sucked under the boat where he was hit by the propeller.  Operator surfaced and was picked up by a good Samaritan who transported him to the nearest dock.  The boat made several circles clockwise before running aground on the spoil islands behind Figure 8 Island.

Operator was transported to New Hanover Medical Center for treatment.  Operator suffered a laceration extending down the right leg and a broken left ankle.   No other passengers were injured during the incident.   Operator was not wearing a PFD nor was he wearing the ignition safety cut off switch.

********************END OF REPORT***********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0051
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2018-06-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:16:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: CORNELIUS
County: MECKLENBURG
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Storm
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Weather
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On saturday june 09, 2018, a vessel incident occurred in mecklenburg county at lake norman.  The incident occurred at approximately 7:15pm.  The incident involved only one vessel.  The vessel involved is a 1994 26' hunter starchaser sailboat.  There were a total of four people on the vessel when the incident occurred.

The vessel was traveling northeast through ramsey creek towards morningstar marina.  A strong thunderstorm developed in the lake norman area as the vessel was navigating to the marina.  The operator stated that they were using the 15 horsepower engine to power the vessel.  The main sail was in the up position as they were traveling back to shore.  The wind from the thunderstorm became very strong.  The owner attempted to drop the sail.  He was unable to get the sail lowered before the vessel capsized.  The vessel capsized on the port/left side.  The vessel came to rest in the upside down position. Once the vessel capsized, all four occupants were forced into the water.  Cornelius police lake patrol officers observed the incident occur.  Officials rescued all of the occupants from the water.  The four men were transported to morningstar marina.  Mecklenburg county ems did check each person for injuries.  No one onboard the vessel suffered any injuries from the incident.  Towboat usa did tow the vessel to ramsey creek park.  The vessel was uprighted and loaded onto a trailer at the ramsey creek park boat access. 

In conclusion this vessel incident was caused by sudden high winds from a strong thunderstorm.  I did speak with local weather officials to see if there was any extraordinary weather event at the time of the incident.  The event is classified as a strong thunderstorm and nothing more.  There are no charges pending in this incident.  The vessel was declared a total loss by the insurance provider.  The total loss value of the vessel  is $10,500.

********************end of report*************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0052
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: YADKIN RIVER
NearestCityorTown: ROARING RIVER
County: WILKES
WaterConditions: Unknown
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
At approximately 1500 hours on June 15, 2018, two subjects entered the water in the Roaring River in Roaring River, NC.  The canoe they were in was rented from Roaring River Canoe Rental.  The 15'8" Old Town canoe was equipped with two paddles and two life jackets (Type III).  The owner of the rental company stated that both subjects began their float wearing the life jackets.  

The rental company advised that Operator had rented from there several times before.  Shortly after putting in the river, the two subjects entered the connecting Yadkin River.  As they approached the Red, White, and Blue road bridge, Operator stated that they took their life jackets off to take their shirts off.   Soon after, they encountered swift water in rapids approximately 100 yards downriver from the bridge.  The canoe turned sideways and capsized.  Operator stated that he saw Occupant panicking in the water.   Operator went under the water and upon surfacing did not see Occupant.  Operator said he rolled the canoe over and tried to get back to where he last saw Occupant but the current carried him downstream.   Operator made it to the riverbank where he went to get help. 

First responders reported that they received the call at 1618 hours on the Friday of the incident.   Rescue squads and fire departments searched the river by various means including walking banks, rubber vessels, jon boats, NCWRC kayaks, drone with thermal imaging, dragging the bottom, and sonar imaging.  The search shifted to recovery during the early afternoon on June 16th.  The search was officially called off around 2000 hours on Saturday, June 16TH.  NCWRC continued searching June 17th and June 18th by kayak.

At some point between 1306 and 1406 on June 18th, two individuals found the victim's body approximately 1/2 mile downstream from the Red White and Blue road bridge in Roaring River.  NCWRC officers, Wilkes County detectives, EMS, and the medical examiner were on scene.

Autopsy results showed drowning as cause of death.

*******************END OF REPORT*******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0053
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: SOUTHPORT
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentEvent2: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On 06/14/2018 at approximately 12:00 PM, Operator and friends were attempting to anchor and fish near a dock in Dutchman Creek.  Operator put the boat in neutral and threw out the anchor.  The vessel then began to float towards a dock.  Operator tried to stop the vessel with his foot against the dock.  As he stuck out his leg, he slipped in the boat instantaneously as the boat made contact with the dock.  The cleat on the boat punctured Operator's left leg.  Operator was then taken to Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport where he received stiches and was released.

******************END OF REPORT**********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0054
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: CORNELIUS
County: MECKLENBURG
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 05/27/2018 at approximately 6:15pm, a boating incident occurred on Lake Norman at the Peninsula Yacht Club boat docks in Cornelius North Carolina.  The Vessel was a 40' Latitude with Twin Diesel inboard 150 horsepower engines.  The boat is a cabin boat that is owned by Peninsula Yacht Club and was being operated by operator1. There were 8 total passengers on board.  The Vessel struck a docked vessel that was docked on the H dock at the Peninsula Yacht Club.  The docked vessel was a 42' Formula fountain boat.  No passengers were on board this vessel at the time of the collision. 

Operator1 at the time was operating the 40' Latitude vessel during a parade for the Peninsula Yacht club.  Operator1 is a hired boat captain used by the yacht club.  On board the Vessel were another 8 boat captains.  Operator1 pulled in to an aisle of open water in between the fuel dock and Dock H, which is a dock that was lined with moored vessels.   As Operator1 pulled forward the fuel dock was on his port side and dock H was on his starboard side.  

A passenger on board told Operator1 to dock the boat a different way.  Operator1 explained to do this he had to back up.  He put the boat into reverse to back out of the aisle and while backing at an idle speed, he noticed he was getting too close to the docked vessels on his starboard side.  When Operator1 noticed this, he went to correct it and his foot slipped causing him to knock the reverse lever.  Before he could correct the throttle, the vessel struck the moored 42' Fountain boat.  

The 40' Latitude clipped the bow of the fountain boat causing the captain's chair to be knocked off its bracket and the starboard side corner of the wooden cabin to be crushed in.  The fountain boat was docked with the bow facing the water and the stern inside the slip.  The fountain boat sustained damage to the bow rail, and scratches to the starboard bow.  The air temperature was 82 degrees and the water temperature was 79 degrees.  The wind was less than 6 mph, and visibility was good with partly cloudy skies. 

It appears the operator of the vessel became distracted and got too close to the moored vessels that were docked on dock H.  When the operator realized he was too close on his starboard side, he went to correct it and hit reverse too hard causing him to collide into the docked vessel.  This appears to be an incident that occurred because of operator inattention in a congested area.  No one will be charged as a result of the incident.  Operator1 is a captain with a lot of boating experience and was verbally warned to always keep a proper lookout.

*******************END OF REPORT********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0055
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: OCEAN ISLE
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 5, 2018 at approximately 0930, operators collided while operating two Seadoo PWCS.  Both jet skis were operating in close proximity of each other.   While one operator was doing doughnuts, the other operator was cruising.

Both parties involved claim that the other party is at fault.   I believe that after some investigation that Operator2 was possibly jumping the wake that Operator1 was making while doing doughnuts.  When Operator2 went to jump a wake, I feel that he got too close to Operator1, and Operator1 turned to avoid a collision.  When Operator1 turned his jet ski to avoid the collision, Operator2 struck the bottom of Operator1's jet ski.  Operator1's jet ski would be turned on its side if he were attempting to turn as such  and matched the collision damage.

******************END OF REPORT******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0056
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE GASTON
NearestCityorTown: LITTLETON
County: WARREN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentCause3: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On sat may 26, 2018 while working boating activity on lake royale, i received a call from raleigh dispatch informing me of a boating incident on lake gaston near songbird creek.  The incident involved a young man who ran his vessel aground and was severely injured.

After contacting warren county 911, i learned this incident would require treatment well beyond first aid.  I knew my response time would be slow, so i immediately called sgt who was working on the northampton/halifax county area of lake gaston to request assistance.  Officers responded and arrived on scene around 9:40 pm.  After speaking with ems personnel, they learned that the victim had been transported to halifax regional medical center in halifax co nc.  

According to bystanders, the victim and his vessel had been towed to the waters edge restaurant near eatons ferry bridge by another vessel.  The individuals who assisted the victim did not wish to be involved according to patrons at the restaurant.  So they dropped off 24 yo and his vessel then departed.  Ems workers who were still on scene informed sgt that the victim appeared to be severely intoxicated.

I removed my work boat from lake royale and patrolled to lake gaston.  I arrived on scene around 10:30pm and met officer brown at waters edge restaurant.  We immediately began analyzing the damaged vessel.  We discovered 5 empty bud light cans scattered randomly throughout the boat as well as 1 empty coors light glass bottle.  Additionally in plain view there was a bottoe of tito's vodka that was about 2/3 empty in an open cooler with an empty tropicana orange juice container.  Blood was scattered throughout the cabin of the boat.  Blood was more concentrated on the left side of the vessel.  There was a bloody towel on the passenger seat immediately left of the driver's seat.  There was also a bloody t-shirt in the floor of the back left passenger area.  There was a damaged phone in the seat in front of the operator's seat.

While officer and i surveyed the scene, sgt went to the hospital to interview operator and have him complete an mb4.1 form.  Upon arrival, sgt found operator being treated for severe facial lacerations, broken jaw, broken left eye socket, and dislocated elbow.  Although injured, operator was able to give an account of the crash.  Operator indicated that he and some friends had been cruising, wake boarding, and drinking most of the day on the eastern end of lake gaston near the dam.  Near the end of the day the group cruised toward the western end of the lake where they again wake boarded and drank alcohol.  Operator said he dropped off his passengers around 7:45pm and considered staying at their house because he knew he had had too much to drink.  But instead, he chose to go home.  While operating the vessel traveling east on the northern side of the lake near mile marker 12 and just before songbird creek at nearly full throttle, operator began using his cell phone for texting and music.  The next thing he remembered was waking up in the woods just after 8pm "in pain".  He was bleeding profusely from his face and head.  When he realized he had crashed his boat into the shore, he made his way out of the woods and down to the water where he began trying to flag other boats down for assistance.  Around 8:30pm a good samaritan noticed operator and came to assist.  The boaters called 911 and helped operator tow his boat off the bank to waters edge restaurant.  Ems personnel arrived on scene and transported operator to halifax regional hospital.

On sunday may 27, 2018, i returned to the scene of the crash to gather additional evidence and photos during daylight hours.  The following week i reached out to the warren county da's office for a court order of operator's medical records.  The assistant da and i were finally able to meet on monday, june 4, 2018 to prepare the court order.  After having the court order signed by the superior court judge, i hand delivered the order to the health and risk liason for halifax regional hospital.  I received the medical records a few days later and found his blood alcohol results to be 189 mg/dl at 10:45pm on the night of the incident.  This was about 2.5 hours after operator had been operating the vessel that crashed.

Upon these findings, operator was charged with operating while impaired, careless and reckless operation as well as operating a vessel without completing a boating safety class.

***********************end of report*********************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0057
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: NEALS CREEK
NearestCityorTown: GRANDY
County: CURRITUCK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday, June 16, 2018, approximately 2000 I, Officer received a call from our Raleigh Dispatch that a boating incident had occurred in the Poplar Branch area. I, Officer, spoke with EMS Capitan on scene, who stated that one female was being transported to Norfolk General Hospital via Med Flight and all others involved in the incident were standing by at Poplar Branch Boating Access.

I, Officer, arrived at Poplar Branch Access approximately 2030. I spoke with Operator of Vessel 1. Operator stated that they had taken the boat out around 1200 to let the kids swim in the beach area located east of the Poplar Branch Boating Access. Operator stated they wanted to go for a boat ride. Operator stated that he operated Vessel 1 in the Neal's Creek area. 

While cruising in the Neal's Creek area, they passed another vessel thinking it was one of their friends, Operator slowed and made a turn. Operator stated that during the turn, Vessel 1 took water over the stern caused by the wake from his own vessel and started to sink. Operator stated that once everyone was in the water, his wife was trying to keep their two-year-old son calm.  While with Son, Wife began to struggle and went under the water.  Operator brought Wife back to the partially submerged Vessel 1 where Operator started to preform CPR.  Operator stated that they contacted his stepfather who made it to the area of the boating incident and picked up all occupants involved and brought them back to Poplar Branch Access Area where EMS was called. 

I, Officer, received a written witness statement from occupant of Vessel 1.  Occupant2 stated that after Vessel 1 started to sink, operator’s wife, the injured occupant of Vessel 1, was trying to keep herself and Son (wearing a child PFD) above water.  Occupant2 stated that Wife had asked someone to come take the baby from her.  Once Son was taken from Wife, Wife began to struggle and went under the water. Wife was brought back to the partially submerged Vessel 1 where she was going in and out of consciousness.  Occupant2 stated that once help arrived, they were all loaded into another vessel and brought back to the Poplar Branch Access Area where EMS took over. 

EMS Capitan stated that wife was being transported to Maple Airport where she was to be taken by Med-Flight to Norfolk General Hospital to be treated for near drowning and possible water in the lungs. 

All Children involved used PFDS. 
Alcohol was involved.

*******************END OF REPORT******************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0058
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: GREEN RIVER
NearestCityorTown: SALUDA
County: POLK
WaterConditions: Unknown
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 14, 2018, 11 year old was paddling the Green River with Camp Timberlake when the canoe he was paddling tipped over in strong rapids.  When he fell out of the overturned canoe, he was downstream of the canoe.  As he held on to the canoe, the canoe became lodged in the rocks with Operator's right leg pinned under water between the swamped canoe and the rock.  Operator's head was barely out of the water but he was wearing a Type III USCG approved life preserver and helmet.  

Operator was assisted by camp guide who swam to the submerged canoe and supported Operator's head and upper body out of the water.  A couple of tubers on the river tried to assist guide with removing Operator's pinned leg from between the rock and canoe, but the force of the water was too great.   Guide and the tubers tried to use an un-pin kit to pull the canoe away from the rock but broke the un-pin kit in the process.  Another Camp Timberlake staff called 911.  It took 8 first responders to push the canoe away from the rock enough for guide to pull Operator's leg out of the pin.  Operator was transported to St. Lukes Hospital where he was treated for the fractured leg and hypothermia.

*******************END OF REPORT***************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0059
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: JORDAN LAKE
NearestCityorTown: MONCURE
County: CHATHAM
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent3: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 05/12/2018 between three and four o'clock, operator launched his 21' carolina skiff at poe's ridge boat ramp.  He was joined by two people and a dog.  They left poe's ridge traveling north up the haw river.  After spending a few hours catfishing in the river, the group decided to finish up for the day.  

Before they started to head back to the boat ramp, operator pulled the vessel into a cove to drop subject1 and the dog off on the bank to relieve themselves.  In an attempt to give subject1 some privacy, operator and subject2 took the boat down the river.  They returned to the cove a few minutes later.  

Subject2 assisted subject1 and the dog as they boarded the vessel.  The bow of the boat was resting on the ground and the stern was in 2 feet or less of water.  Subject2 stated he moved to the starboard side of the stern to shift the weight while operator attempted to back out of the cove.  As the boat moved in reverse, the propeller abruptly hit a submerged object causing subject2 to lose balance and fall over board onto the prop.  

Operator said he immediately shifted the motor into neutral and assisted subject2 back into the boat.  Subject2 was able to stand up in the shallow water and board the vessel with operator's assistance.  He laid down at the stern of the boat while subject1 used a towel to apply pressure to the wound.  Operator attempted to back off of the submerged object, badly damaging the boat's propeller.  

After he freed the boat from the obstruction, he drove south down the river back to the boat ramp.  Operator called 911 at approximately 20:08 pm.  Operator stated that the boat would not move but a few miles per hour due to the damaged prop.  According to operator, it took approximately 40 minutes to travel back to poe's ridge.  Ems and pittsboro fire and rescue met subject2 at the boat ramp at approximately 20:45 and transported him to unc hospital. 

I received the call from raleigh dispatch at 20:16 pm on 5/12/2018.  I called chatham county to inquire about further details.  I arrived on scene at approximately 21:00 pm.  I met operator and subject1 at poe's ridge. I inspected the vessel's safety equipment and begin the incident investigation.  

Operator stated that he and subject2 had been drinking.  I could smell a slight odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from operator.  I conducted sfsts on operator.  I saw a lack of smooth pursuit while testing for hgn, and then he made an improper turn during the walk and turn test.  I did not see any other signs or indicators of impairment.  Operator blew a .04 on my portable breath test device.  

Subject2 also admitted to drinking.  

When subject2 arrived at unc hospital, he was diagnosed with a right flank laceration and was taken into surgery.

****************end of report********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0060
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: OCEAN ISLE BEACH
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentEvent3: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
After interviewing both parties, evidence and testimony led me to believe that Operator2 was heading North on the ICW around Ocean Isle, and Operator1 and his occupants were heading south on the ICW toward South Carolina.  It is my belief that Operator2 was drifting across the ICW to his left which would put him in the path of Operator1 and his vessel.  

Once Operator2 adjusted his course, Operator1 and his occupants had already taken a hard left as an evasive maneuver to avoid Operator2.  Operator2's vessel struck Operator1's vessel on the right side.  Operator2 glanced off of Operator1's vessel at almost a 90 degree angle and traveled about 75 yards before coming to rest on the left side bank of the ICW heading North.  

After questioning both parties, Operator2 was given field sobriety tests which he did not pass.  Operator2 had an odor of an alcoholic beverage about his breath and thick speech.  Operator2 tested positive for alcohol on a portable breath test instrument and had his blood drawn at the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office to test his blood/alcohol concentration.  Operator2 stated that he had drank two beers called “The Law” which contains approximately 17% alcohol by volume and I found an empty bottle of wine that was 12% alcohol by volume. 

Operator1 - "We were traveling south near the Ocean Isle Bridge on the ICW on the right side of the waterway headed to HarbourGate Marina.  The guy in the other boat coming in the opposite direction turned in our direction and I slowed down and at least two people were waving to notify him.  As he kept coming toward us, I started to move to the other side to avoid him.   He was coming at a high rate of speed and came on us quick and I turned to avoid him but he hit the right side of the boat.  We came to stop in the middle of the waterway and he was going fast enough to end up on the bank on the right side of the waterway.  He ran up on the bank after hitting us".

****************************END OF REPORT*****************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0061
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:30:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: MOORESVILLE
County: IREDELL
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On Thursday, 6/28/2018, Operator purchased a 1981 17-foot ProCraft bass boat for $1800.  No bill of sale was acquired during this exchange.  The boat is still currently registered in previous owner’s name.   However, the title was given to the new owner upon purchase.
On Friday, 6/29/2018, Operator and his nephew left out on a fishing trip to Lake Norman around 8:00pm.  They advised family members that they would return home around midnight.
On Saturday, 6/30/2018,  Operator’s spouse contacted a family friend after she awoke to discover that her husband had not returned home.  Deputy and brother-in-law to operator went out looking for them.  They arrived at McCrary Creek boating access area on Hwy 150 at Lake Norman and discovered the SUV and boat trailer in the parking lot.  They then reported the men missing to the Iredell County Communication Center.
I (Sgt. -NC Wildlife Officer) received the report at approximately 7:45am on Saturday, 6/30/2018 and responded by patrol boat around 1 hour later.  Several Iredell County Sheriff's Office (ICSO) deputies were also present.  The vessel was approximately 30 yards from the shoreline, mostly submerged (other than the tip of the bow), and upside-down.  It was noted that the bilge pump was actively running.  One of the deputies had recovered a white Reebok shoe with light blue trim floating in the water.  The exact location that this shoe was found was not recorded.  However, it was stated that it was in fairly close proximity to the vessel.   
A quick hasty search was conducted around the area and a red ball cap was located on the shoreline in the rocks approximately 75 yards southwest of the vessel.  Fire/Rescue boats from multiple agencies began running specialized water scanning equipment in an attempt to locate the victims under the surface.  Divers from the Charlotte Fire Department Dive Team checked under the vessel and investigated points of interest associated with the specialized equipment being utilized. The search continued until approximately 8:00pm.  The large scale search was called off by incident command due to the size of the search area and there searching resources being depleted.  Not knowing exactly where the incident initially took place, the timing of it and the light winds over night made it extremely difficult to limit the search area where the specialized equipment would be effective.

The boat was recovered by Tow Boat USA and taken to their storage area.  Upon inspection of the vessel, it was noted that the entire transom had been repaired or patched numerous times.  While looking in the rear compartments, it was noted that it was dry-rotted.  The fiberglass had broken away in multiple areas and the foam floatation and plywood were exposed.  The foam floatation had dry rotted as well as was the plywood framing.  No other visible damage was noted on the vessel and it was determined that the transom was dry rotted and soaked up the water like a sponge, increasing the weight and eventually sinking the boat.  The throttle was in the neutral position.

The following morning on Sunday, 7/1/2018, Lt. and I continued to search the cove and initial search area.  We located the second shoe of V2 approximately 90 yards west of where the boat was originally found.  Later that evening at approximately 6:00pm Officers continued patrolling the search area.  The occupants of a residence just east of the cove waved them down and pointed them to the body of occupant which had surfaced approximately 30 yards east of where the boat was located.  The body was removed and transported to Davis Hospital in Statesville at the Medical Examiners request.

At approximately 11:00pm that same evening, Iredell County Deputies were patrolling the area.  They discovered the body of operator which had surfaced approximately 75 yards southwest of where the boat was located.  The body was removed and transported to Davis Hospital as well.

PLEASE NOTE:  IT IS UNKNOWN AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE DECEASED USED ANY PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES.
**********************END OF REPORT************************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0062
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 03:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: PAMLICO SOUND
NearestCityorTown: NAGS HEAD
County: DARE
WaterConditions: Calm
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Congested waters
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On Friday, June 25, 2018, operator was taking a group of friends out on his vessel, Full Choke, for an offshore fishing trip.  At approximately 3:30 am, he was navigating the channel to go out of Oregon Inlet when he veered to the right of the green channel buoy where the channel narrows near the barge moored for the Bonner Bridge construction.   Operator's vessel ran aground causing extensive damage to his propeller shafts and struts.  The area where Operator ran aground was congested with other fishing vessels and construction barges.  However, none of these vessels directly contributed to this incident.  USCG deployed out of Oregon Inlet and refloated the vessel due to the navigational hazard it presented to the other vessels in the channel.  Operator's vessel was then escorted back to Wanchese Marina where it was found to be in compliance with all safety equipment requirements.  There were no injuries involved and all occupants used their PFDS.

**********************END OF REPORT***********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0063
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: PAMLICO SOUND
NearestCityorTown: ENGELHARD
County: HYDE
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
According to the operator, on 6/30/2018 at approximately 21:30 hours, his vessel began to sink rapidly when he attempted to plane it off.  Operator and four others had been anchored near the "Dry Rocks" in the Pamlico Sound fishing for red drum.  When Operator pulled his anchor up and attempted to plane off, his vessel rapidly filled with water.  Operator, four passengers, and a dog entered the water as the vessel sank.  A small portion of the bow stayed out of the water.  As the boat was sinking, Operator yelled for someone to get the PFDs out.  

Two people put on Type III PFDS, and one person was able to hold on to a Type IV.  All five could hold on to the bow that remained partially above the surface.  A phone call for help came out from the party which initiated a response from NC Wildlife, USCG, NC Marine Patrol, Hyde Sherriff's Office and private citizens.  Two good Samaritan vessels reached the vessel in distress prior to my arrival.  All passengers were brought to shore and all refused medical treatment.  

Upon further investigation of the incident, it was determined that the engine had been mounted on the vessel earlier in the day.  It is mounted in a well that is located between the steering wheel and the transom.  Two of the motor mount bolts are located below deck on the vessel and one was determined to be loose.  It is my determination that the loose bolt allowed water to begin to fill the bilge area of the vessel while they were fishing.  When Operator went to plane his vessel off, the added water in the bilge area caused water to rapidly enter the opening for the engine well.  The use of alcohol and drugs did not contribute to this incident.

*********************END OF REPORT****************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0064
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:17:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: HIGH ROCK LAKE
NearestCityorTown: LEXINGTON
County: DAVIDSON
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On june 2, 2018, at approximately 8:17 pm, a boating incident occurred in buddle creek, high rock lake in davidson county.  Victim was a passenger on board a personal watercraft (pwc). The pwc (vessel #1) is a 1995, 8'' 4”, sea doo 5873 sp made by bombardier with a water jet, inboard engine. The pwc is registered another person. The operator of the pwc said that he was operating the pwc back to the dock because it was ‘bogged out'' and shut off when he and victim were attempting to go riding.  

Operator says that victim fell off the pwc first causing him to fall off.  Victim was not wearing a life jacket.  Operator said that the cut off switch lanyard was attached to his belt loop and did not turn off the pwc after he and victim fell off causing the pwc to circle around them during the incident.  The cut off switch lanyard was still attached to the ignition after the incident occurred.  According to operator, after falling off the pwc, he began attempting to re-board the pwc and then realized that victim was drowning and heard him call out his name for help.   

After operator tried to pull victim to shore, then on the pwc unsuccessfully, operator could no longer see victim under the water.   Operator was able to re-board the circling pwc and he and other witnesses continued to search for victim.   At approximately 9:30 pm, victim's body was recovered from the area he was last seen.  Once victim's body was identified, senior, along with davidson county sheriff's office met with victim's family to notify them that victim had drowned, and his body had been recovered.

Deputy stated that he did not notice any signs of impairment from the operator of the pwc.  Deputy told me that both witnesses were in the house.  I then took pictures of the pwc that victim had fallen off of.  The pwc was grounded ashore and showed no signs of damage. The cut-off lanyard was intact and still attached and a charged uscg approved fire extinguisher was located on board.  I then went inside the house to interview the witnesses and have them fill out witness statement forms.  Victim's personal bag was located and upon securing, officer smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the bag.  I retrieved a marijuana cigarette, a grinder containing less then 1/2 oz of marijuana, a red circular container of hash oil, and a cigarillo package with one tobacco cigarillo from victim's bag and submitted the evidence to davidson county sheriff's office evidence storage.  

Operator said that victim had gotten to the house at around 7:12pm and talked to operator about going out riding on the pwc.  Operator stated that before riding the pwc, victim had said he was going to smoke marijuana really quickly before riding.  Operator said that victim attempted to ride the pwc alone and he was having issues starting the pwc.  Then operator boarded the pwc.  Operator said the pwc was "bogged out" and shut off when the two men were attempting to go riding, so operator turned the pwc around and headed back to the dock.  Operator said that he was maneuvering the pwc near the dock when victim became unsteady and fell off the pwc.  Victim had his arms around operator's waist and caused operator to fall in immediately after victim fell in.  

Operator said that he cannot remember if he was wearing a life jacket, but he did attach the cut off safety lanyard to his belt loop and for some reason it came off his belt loop without turning off the pwc.  The cut off safety lanyard was unbroken and still attached to the pwc after the incident occurred.  Victim was not wearing a life jacket.  The pwc tightly circled the two men in the water during the incident without an operator according to operator and other witnesses.  Operator said he initially began to try to reboard the pwc and then noticed that victim could not swim and heard him call his name.  Operator said he then tried to pull victim to shore but was pulled underwater by victim.  He then tried to pull victim to the pwc unsuccessfully.  Operator stated he could no longer see victim after these attempts and was able to reboard the pwc and began looking for victim in the water from the pwc.  After operator was not able to see him, he jumped off the pwc and began searching in the water again along with other witnesses.  

It appeared that operator and victim were attempting to head back to dock the pwc, and while maneuvering the pwc, victim fell off and operator fell off immediately after.  The pwc did not turn off and continued to circle the two men during the incident.  Operator attempted to assist victim to shore then onto the pwc unsuccessfully and then began searching for victim from the pwc after he was able to reboard.  Multiple witnesses began to assist in the search for victim prior to emergency personnel arriving.

Around 9:30pm, emergency personnel recovered victim's body from the water.  The depth of the water where the body was recovered was located approximately 6' 6".  Victim was not wearing a pfd.  There were no signs of criminal activity and according to the medical examiner no other signs of trauma were present, and cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning.  No charges were filed as a result of this incident.


BARDID: NC-2018-0065
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
County: NEW HANOVER
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Excessive speed
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday, June 17, 2018, at approximately 18:24hrs I, NC Wildlife Enforcement Officer, was contacted by the NC Wildlife Law Enforcement Division dispatch informing me that there had been a boating accident at Wrightsville Beach, NC.  Dispatch advised me to contact Lt. with the US Coast Guard.  I then contacted the US Coast Guard Station at Wrightsville Beach and they advised me to contact Sea Tow.  After contacting Sea Tow, he informed me of the location and a brief description of what he had observed as he went by the scene after the incident had occurred.  I then contacted Capt. with Towboat US who advised me that he was on scene just south of Mason's Inlet on the ICW and that there were no injuries.  Subject advised me that a Yamaha PWC (Vessel 2) had collided with a 26ft Edgewater motor boat (Vessel 1) and was still lodged up on top of the Edgewater's outboard engines and canopy.  Subject sent me some pictures and advised me that he saw no signs of alcoholic beverages or impairment from either of the operators.  Subject advised me that he was towing both vessels back to Bellhart Marine in Carolina Beach, NC.  Upon arrival, he sent me the owner and operator's information.  On Monday, June 18th at approximately 1300hrs, I met with owner and operator of Vessel 1 and Operator2 at Bellhart Marine in Carolina Beach.  I then photographed both vessels and interviewed the operators.  

Upon investigation, it was found that immediately prior to the incident, Vessel 1 was cruising at a speed of approximately 30 mph heading north on the ICW just south of Mason's Inlet near marker 123 at approximately 17:45hrs.  Vessel 2 was cruising at a speed of around 25mph approximately 60 feet behind Vessel 1.  

Vessel 1 then slowed down abruptly and turned slightly to east to avoid 2 dolphins they witnessed in the ICW directly in front of them.  Immediately after Vessel 1 slowed down to under 10mph, Vessel 2 collided with the outboard engines of Vessel 1 and ramped up the stern of Vessel 1 stopping after the bow of Vessel 2 impacted the rear of Vessel 1's fiberglass canopy.  

Vessel 2 came to rest with the stern sitting on top of Vessel 1's outboard engines and the bow resting on Vessel 1's canopy.  After vessel 2 stopped, the operator jumped off Vessel 2's seat into the ICW.  There were no injuries to either operators or passengers onboard either vessel. 

 Vessel 1 sustained major damage to both of its Yamaha 200 outboard engine cowlings, a damaged fuel rail on the port outboard engine, and minor damage to the fiberglass on the center rear of the vessel's canopy.  Vessel 2 sustained severe damage to the fiberglass hull and plastic components towards the bow and underneath the front of the vessel.  No charges were made.

**************END OF REPORT********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0066
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ADAMS CREEK
NearestCityorTown: BEAUFORT
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Steering
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 11, 2018 at approximately 11:30 am, vessel 1 named Just Us collided with the shore and took on water and sank.  At the time of the incident, vessel 1 was occupied by two people.  According to the vessel operator, the vessel seemed to lose steering control and made a turn to the right colliding with the rocks in Adams Creek.  When vessel 1 struck the rocks, it caused the vessel's starboard stern to tilt causing water to start entering from the current in the Icw.  The water flow came in quick.  Vessel 1 then broke free from the shore and spun in the current until it finally took on so much water that it sank.  Vessel 1 came to rest on the opposite side of the ICW up against a dock. The operator and passenger abandoned ship with life jackets on and swam to shore.  EMS checked out both the operator and passenger and were found to be ok.

After interviewing the operator and passenger, it was made known that the steering was the cause.  I asked the passenger and operator what had caused the incident.  According to the passenger, the operator had placed the vessel on auto pilot.  When he tried to make a turn from hitting the rocks, the operator could not control the vessel.  The vessel was raised by Sea Tow and taken to Jarrett Bay boat works.

*************************END OF REPORT********************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0067
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: MAYO LAKE
NearestCityorTown: ROXBORO
County: PERSON
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Starting in gear
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On Thursday June 28, 2018, operator, his wife, and their son went for a boat ride on Mayo Lake.  They were across from the Triple Springs Boating Access area enjoying the evening.  They went to restart the motor after they had been drifting in an area for a while.  The motor would not crank and Operator thought that the battery had died. He took the top of the motor off so that he could try to pull start it.   He tried it a few times and it would not start, so he told his wife to choke it a little and when he went to pull it again, the motor was in gear.  

When it fired up, the boat lunged forward and threw him up against the top of the motor and into the water.  He fell on top of the flywheel and it tore some skin off of his right pectoral area on his chest.  He then fell into the water and both his feet hit the propeller.  

He ended up with scratches on his chest, a small cut on his right foot, a few large lacerations on his left foot, several broken bones in his left foot, and a small cut on his right forearm.  

His wife was able to turn the boat around and get back to him.   He was screaming for her to turn the motor off.  She turned off the motor and helped him get into the boat, but they were stranded again until they were able to get someone on a PWC to pull them to the dock after she had called 911.   EMS came to the dock and carried Operator to Duke Hospital.  

Operator had surgery on his foot where they reconnected the tendons that were cut from the bone in his foot. He was released on 07/02/2018.

**********************END OF REPORT****************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0068
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: MOORESVILLE
County: IREDELL
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
AccidentCause2: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 30, 2018 operator, victim, and 3 other individuals were engaged in boating in the Davison Creek portion of Lake Norman.  Around 3:30pm, Operator1 was operating the boat while Victim was being pulled on a tube behind the boat.  While the vessel was traveling at a speed of 7-10 MPH, Operator1 began to make a wide sweeping right hand turn.  Once the boat was about 3/4 through the 180 degree turn, Victim was thrown from the tube when it hit a wake from another unknown boat.  Because of the grip she had on the handles, she was unable to let go which caused her to break her right radius bone approximately 2 inches above the wrist.

************************END OF REPORT*********************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0070
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ATLANTIC OCEAN
NearestCityorTown: NAGS HEAD
County: DARE
WaterConditions: Very rough
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator of Vessel 1 was heading towards the entrance buoy going into the Oregon Inlet Channel.  He was sitting outside of the breakers watching and waiting for the best time to navigate through the breakers when a large wave broke from behind and capsized his vessel.  He stayed with the vessel as it drifted toward the bridge.  The vessel made contact with the bridge.  As he exited the boat and climbed onto the bridge, the vessel drifted away and later came to rest on a sand bar.  The Coast Guard picked up operator and brought him to the Station. He contacted Sea Tow and they towed his vessel back to the Oregon Inlet Boat Ramp.  He then trailered his boat.  Alcohol or drugs didn't contribute to the incident and no violation was issued.

****************END OF REPORT**********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0071
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE GASTON
NearestCityorTown: LITTLETON
County: WARREN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On july 1, 2018, the operator of vessel # 1 was traveling at a high rate of speed on a personal watercraft.  The operator made a sharp right turn and was thrown left off the personal watercraft.  The result of the operator being thrown from the personal watercraft caused the operator to suffer two fractured ribs on his left side of his chest.  The operator was taken to the halifax regional medical center where he was treated and released.  The operator was wearing a personal flotation  device as required by law.

********************end of report************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0072
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: WILMINGTON
County: NEW HANOVER
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday May 27, 2018 around 3:00pm, Operator2 (Vessel 2) was traveling North on the ICW near Serenity Point road when he stopped to wait for the other vessel that was traveling with him.  When the other vessel operated by Operator1 (Vessel 1) turned, so that vessel 1 was now facing South with the port side of V1 was towards the port side of V2, was lifted out of the water by the wake of an unidentified vessel (V3) traveling South and landed on the bow cowling/left side rearview mirror and on the left leg of Operator2.   Also, Vessel 1 landed on the left thigh of the passenger of Vessel 2. 

Vessel 1 did not suffer any damage from the incident.   Vessel 2 received a port side bow cowling crack and the rearview mirror on the port side was broken.

Operator2 was treated at New Hanover Regional Medical Center for a transverse left side fibula fracture.

V2 occupant refused transport by New Hanover EMS and was seen at a later time for a contusion to the left side thigh

PLEASE NOTE:  VESSEL 3 IS UNKNOWWN AND DID NOT REPORT THE INCIDENT.

*******************END OF REPORT****************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0073
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 00:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: DENVER
County: LINCOLN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel #1, a 2014 skeeter fx20 was fishing off the east side of the island directly south of marker 5.  Vessel #1 was facing to the west.  Vessel #2,  a unknown pontoon boat, was approaching from the south at an unknown rate of speed.  Vessel #2 struck vessel # 1 on the stern of the vessel causing significant damage to the outboard motor and stern of the vessel.  Vessel #2 stopped for a short period of time after the collision and then continued to the north.  The operator of vessel #2 failed to leave their name, address or vessel information with the operator of vessel #1.  At the time of this report vessel #2 has not been located.

******************end of report******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0074
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: TERRELL
County: CATAWBA
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
A 2012 bentley cr220 pontoon boat struck a stationary dock in terrell nc at approximately 22:30hours on the june 20, 2018.  The boat struck the walkway of the dock on the south east side.  The vessel knocked out approximately a 15-foot section of the dock walkway damaging two pylons.   The vessel received damage to the starboard front of the vessel and the port side, side panel, railing, and seat cushion.  After the collision, the vessel left the scene without contacting the property owner and exchanging information.   I was contacted by the property owner the following morning june 21, 2018.

Vessel operator was cited for careless and reckless operation.

**********end of report******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0075
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: MOORESVILLE
County: IREDELL
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 30, 2018, Operator1 and his family rented a pontoon boat from Lake Norman Marina.  Around lunch time the boat was docked in the northern most boat slip closest to shore in front of Apps and Taps Restaurant.  In the boat slip to the right of Operator1' boat was a docked pontoon boat.  Both boats had parked/docked bow first into the slip.  Around 2:00PM, Operator1 backed straight out of the slip then began to maneuver/turn hard right in an effort to depart from the marina.  As Operator1' boat began to turn, he realized that the stern of his boat was going to strike the stern of boat2.  In an effort to turn quickly and avoid a collision, Operator1 increased his throttle abruptly causing his boat to slam into v2 boat with great force. 

Damage to Vessel 1 (Operator1): 18"X6" dent and deep scratching along the outside portion at the back of the left pontoon. 

Damage to Vessel 2: The weld between the body and the end cap on the left pontoon was separated.  This caused the left pontoon to take on water, and begin to sink. 

Note:  Due to V2’s boat taking on water, it was inoperable and had to be towed by Tow-Boat-US.  The total bill for towing the vessel and trailering it to Long Island Marina for repairs was $4,525 (not calculated into damage assessment). 

******************END OF REPORT**************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0076
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: CORNELIUS
County: MECKLENBURG
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On 6/13/2018 at approximately 1530, a boating incident occurred on Lake Norman near marker 1A on the main channel.  The vessel was a 11''6” Bombardier Sea Doo with a 300hp jet motor.  The boat was owned and operated by subject, who was the only person on board at the time of the incident. The vessel struck a large wave at 70 mph and cut hard to the starboard side throwing Operator overboard. 

Operator and her friend had been riding PWCS on Lake Norman and decided to go eat at Port City Club located on Lake Norman.  Operator had less than one beer while she was there.  They got back on the PWCS and decided to head up the lake to go to Operator's house.  Friend was well ahead of Operator.  Operator was going 70mph trying to catch up. There was a large boat that passed Operator on her port side throwing a large wake.  Operator did not slow down and hit the wake going 70mph.  When the sea doo impacted the wave, it suddenly jerked hard to the starboard side causing operator to be ejected to the forward port side.  

Operator then impacted the water back first causing her T-7 Vertebrate to break.  Operator immediately felt extreme back pain and could not move her legs.  Friend who was well ahead of her turned around and jumped in to support Operator in the water.  Operator was properly wearing her Type 3 PFD.  Friend managed to call 911 and Cornelius FD picked Operator up and took her to the shore where she was picked up by EMS.  Operator was then transported to CMC Main in downtown Charlotte. Operator underwent X-rays, Cat scans, and an MRI on her back.  It was determined her T-7 vertebrate was broken.  Operator underwent surgery to insert screws and rods to help support the broken vertebrate.  Operator was released from CMC main after being hospitalized for 5 days. 

In Conclusion, the PWC struck a large wave traveling at 70 mph. The high-speed impact along with operator inexperience made the PWC jerk hard to the starboard side causing the operator to be ejected.  High speed and the operator having minimal experience caused this incident to occur.  No one was charged as a result of this incident.

PLEASE NOTE:  VESSEL 2 IS UNKNOWN

*************END OF REPORT***************


BARDID: NC-2018-0077
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2018-06-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: MOORESVILLE
County: IREDELL
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
MachineryFailure: Fuel
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 19, 2018 at approximately 5:00 pm, a boating incident occurred on Lake Norman.  This incident only involved one operator and one vessel.  The vessel exploded while the operator was attempting to start the motor.  

Operator is the owner and operator of a 2005 Honda Aqua Track F-12x (V1).  Operator launched (V1) off his private PWC lift at his residence on June 19, 2018 at approximately 5:00 pm.  He boarded the vessel and was attempting to start the motor.  His son was observing him from the back porch of their residence.  V1 operator's son yelled down to the operator asking what was wrong due to the difficulty that (V1) operator was having starting the motor.  

At about that same time, (V1) suddenly exploded ejecting the operator into the air causing him to land in the water face down.  He was knocked unconscious from the impact of the explosion.  V1 operator's son ran down to the water and pulled V1 operator out of the water.  After a brief period, V1 operator regained consciousness.  First responders arrived on scene and transported V1 operator to Lake Norman Regional Medical Hospital.  

There he was treated for a dislocated hip and the doctors attempted to stabilize him.  They were having trouble getting V1 operator stabilized.  The medical staff then air lifted V1 operator to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte because they thought he had internal bleeding.  V1 operator was released from the hospital several days after the incident.  

V1 operator's injuries consisted of fractured orbital socket, dislocated hip, lacerations to his face, arms, legs, feet along with extensive bruising.  He also suffered a concussion from the explosion.  An approved PFD was in use at the time of the incident and alcohol was not a contributing factor.

After reviewing all the evidence that has been gathered along with witness statements, I have determined that the integrity of the fuel tank became compromised which allowed gas vapors to escape into the hull of the vessel.  When operator was attempting to start the motor, a spark was created causing the gas vapors to ignite causing the vessel to explode.
  
After doing some research, I discovered that there was a recall by Honda specifically for the same make and model as V1. (2005 Honda Aqua Trax F-12x).  The USGC also has a recall listing for this make and model of PWC.  Witness stated that there was a very small flame put out by fire department when they arrived.  It was equivalent to the flame created by a cigarette lighter.  
  
The subjects were the original owners of the PWC and still lived at the original address at the time of their purchase.  Both Operator and his wife stated that they have the PWC serviced and winterized each year by the dealership where the PWC was purchased.  They also stated that they never received a recall notice from Honda, nor were they made aware of it from the dealership where is was purchased and serviced.

*****************END OF REPORT*******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0078
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: SOUTHPORT
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with floating object
AccidentCause1: Missing or inadequate navigation aids
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On Wednesday, May 30, 2018, I received a call for service in reference to a Boating Incident in Southport.  Upon arrival I learned that subject and his two passengers had struck a floating pipe that had surfaced in the ICW.  After investigation of the pipe, it was revealed that it was attached to a dredge boat that belonged to Coastal Dredging who was dredging a marina that was located a few hundred yards away.  After talking to the coastal Dredging crew, it was explained to me that the pipe was weighted so that it stays submerged. The exception to this is when the dredge is moving in reverse, a large amount of pressure is put on the pipe and sometimes causes it to float for a few moments.   I believe that this is what happened in this instance. The dredging pipe was only partially submerged when I arrived.  The pipe was black in color and could not be seen by the casual observer unless they noticed the flat water that was directly above the pipe.  Operator struck the dredging pipe with his 19' Carolina Skiff with a 140 horsepower motor and caused extensive fiberglass damage to the back hull of his vessel around where the motor is attached to his vessel.

*************************END OF REPORT***************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0079
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:50:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BELEWS LAKE
NearestCityorTown: BELEWS CREEK
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On june 29, 2018, i received a call from raleigh communications to contact a deputy with the forsth county so regarding an injury resulting from a jet ski incident involving a 6 yo child.

I spoke with corporal who was on scene in belews creek nc.  He told me he was trying to clarify whether the 6yo was on the jet ski or in the water, but he was being transported to the hospital with a head injury.  I was patrolling belews lake at the time so i responded by boat to the incident location and arrived at 20:33.  Upon arrival, deputy updated me that the boy was swimming in the water when the pwc, which was operated by Subject2, had actually struck him in the water.

After speaking with Subject2 and receiving witness statements from other family members, i was told by the operator that she had very little experience on jet skis and when she was coming back toward the dock to make a turn, a large wake pushed her into the path of the boy who was in the water.  We spoke about her losing ability to maneuver the pwc after letting off the throttle and she said that she just panicked when she realized she was going to hit him.  Subject2 was emotional and obviously upset that she had injured her nephew.

I briefly went over what information was on the mb4.1 and advised her to fill it out tomorrow after she had time to calm down from her emotional state and i would retrieve it and go over it on saturday or sunday.

As i went over the pwc safety equipment and registration with the owner, i sent officer to brenner's hospital to check on the victim.  After documenting necessary information, i cleared the scene.

At approximately 22:08 i was contacted by officer, who was at the hospital and was just made aware by the victim's mother and step-father that Subject2 was not the operator of the pwc.   They informed officer  that the other family members had lied to help protect Subject2's husband who was the alleged operator at the time of the incident.  Through communication and written statements from the boy's parents, they stated that he had been drinking alcohol and that they knew he was probably impaired and after the incident, the other family members took him into the basement bathroom and hid him.

With the new information, myself and other officers responded back to the residence at approximately 23:50 where the couple were staying in hopes to speak with Subject2 and Subject1.  Officer and myself were informed by the homeowner that the couple decided to leave and stay somewhere else for the night considering the emotional event that took place.  I tried contacting Subject2 by cell phone as well having her father and sister both text her to meet with me to clarify the discrepancies.  She would not respond to my calls and the family claimed that she was not responding to their text messages.  I informed them that if they made contact with her to tell her that she needed to contact me asap.

The next morning, i was contacted by Subject2, who agreed to meet with me that afternoon which was 6/30/18 to speak further about the incident.  Upon arrival, myself and sgt were met by Subject2 and her husband.  Subject2 apologized for lying about claiming she was the pwc operator but insisted she did so to cover for her husband.   Subject1 is currently a major in the us army air force and was worried that his career may be in jeopardy if he got in trouble for the incident.  Although witness statements suggest otherwise, subject1 stated that he had not drank any alcohol on the day of the incident and the cause of the incident was his inexperience operating a pwc.  He stated that he was coming in too fast and there was also a wake that pushed him into the dock and then causing the pwc to strike the victim who was swimming beside the dock.  The pwc struck the dock where an aluminum swim ladder was mounted.  The force of the pwc striking the ladder caused the railing to bend and needed to be replaced.  After the pwc struck the ladder, the momentum carried it forward striking the victim on the back of his head.  The victim lost consciousness briefly in the water and he was wearing a pfd.  The doctors at brenner's hospital in winston salem determined he did have a concussion and monitored him for 24 hours and then released him with his mother and step-father.

As a result of the incident investigation, the operator was charged with reckless/negligent operation of a vessel.

******************end of report***********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0080
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2018-07-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LITTLE RIVER
NearestCityorTown: ELIZABETH CITY
County: PASQUOTANK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (non-fuel)
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Electrical
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On Friday, July 13, 2018 at approximately 7:00 PM, Subjects were anchored in the Little River about 2 miles north of the Albemarle Sound.  

Subject had walked down into the cabin of the catamaran to get his cell phone.  When he entered the bedroom, he noticed black smoke and flames coming from the bed.  In just a matter of seconds the fire engulfed the vessel.  Subjects were able to exit their boat onto their dingy and make it safely to shore.  During the interview, he stated that he had left his cell phone charging on the bed and suspected that to be the cause of the fire.

******************END OF REPORT*********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0082
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: MAYO LAKE
NearestCityorTown: ROXBORO
County: PERSON
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday June 23, 2018 around 3pm, (Operator) and (Victim) were fishing by the Hwy 49 bridge on a pontoon boat. They were unable to get the boat started when they were done fishing.  There was another boat in the area that towed them to the place where Operator and his wife were staying. 

The boat that towed them in was only able to get them within about 40 to 50 yards of the shoreline because of the excessive hydrilla and lily pads on that end of the lake.  Victim volunteered to jump into the water with the bow line and swim to the shore and pull the boat in.  After Victim jumped in, he went under within a few seconds and he didn't come back up.  Operator grabbed a PFD and put it on and jumped in to try to find his friend.  The boat started floating away so he had to go back to the boat.  The call to Person County 911 came in around 3:28 pm in reference to the incident.  Victim's body was recovered by the Person County Search and Rescue at 5:16 pm.

**************END OF REPORT***********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0090
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: TAYLORS CREEK
NearestCityorTown: BEAUFORT
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 23, 2018, around 9 pm, the passenger ship, The Crystal Coast Lady, was coming in from a cruise to dock at the pier in Taylor's Creek in Beaufort.  While trying to dock, the second engine of the Crystal Coast Lady cut out. The vessel lost all power and the portside bow of the Crystal Coast Lady struck the starboard side stern gunnel of a moored sportfisher vessel, Override, that was docked on the pier across from where the Crystal Coast Lady was trying to dock.  At that time, the Captain regained control of the engine and was able to dock the vessel.  All 112 passengers were released from the vessel.  No injuries were reported.  The damage on the sportfish vessel was to the starboard stern rubber rail and gunnel and was reported to be $2,500.

*******************END OF REPORT*******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0091
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2018-07-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BOGUE SOUND
NearestCityorTown: MOREHEAD CITY
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Calm
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Congested waters
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday July 1, 2018, around 13:30, Operator1 was operating his 23' Parker.  He was traveling from Pine Knoll Shores with his friends and family heading east in Bogue Sound and had just gone under the Atlantic Beach Bridge when he saw another vessel headed toward him.  That vessel was a 25' Regulator, being operated by operator2 who was headed west toward the Atlantic Beach bridge also carrying his friends and family. 

When Operator1 saw the vessel coming toward him, he turned starboard while Operator2 turned port in order to stay in the channel.  When Operator1 saw the vessel was still heading towards him, he turned port.  At the same time, Operator2 turned starboard.  So Operator1 turned starboard and Operator2 turned port.  It's unclear the exact number of turns that were made Operator2 and Operator1's passenger reported 3 turns were made before impact while Operator1 reported 5 turns before eventually the two vessels were too close to make any more corrective turns and that's when they impacted one another.  The portside of the Parker collided with the starboard side of the Regulator. 

Three passengers on the Regulator were ejected from the vessel upon impact and avoided injury.  The passengers on the Parker vessel received numerous injuries.  There were 4 adults on board and 3 children.  One child received a laceration to her face from falling down upon impact.  The operator, Operator1, received two broken ribs on his left side.  Another passenger received a concussion and his wife received a sprained knee and ankle as well as two broken toes. 

There was $25,000 worth of damage done to the Regulator.  Operator2 reported engine damage and damage to the hull of his vessel.  There were several cracks on the starboard side of his hull and on deck as well.  Operator1 reported $3,000 worth of damage on his vessel.  There was damage to the portside bow hull and rail. The portside trim tab was damaged and there was damage to the portside stern fiberglass. The anchor was bent and the anchor pulpit was cracked.  There was also damage inside the cabin: the pilot chair arm rest was bent and there was minor damage around the windows of the cabin.  There was also suspected stringer damage. 

Operator2 admitted to drinking beer earlier that day and was put through the standardized field sobriety testing but no evidence of impairment was found.  Both operators were charged with N.C.G.S 75A-10(a): Operating a motorboat or vessel on waters of this state in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger life, limb or property of any person.

*******************END OF REPORT*************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0092
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CORE SOUND
NearestCityorTown: BEAUFORT
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Calm
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Congested waters
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 30, 2018 around 17:15, Operator2 and his son were out sailing near Cape Lookout lighthouse.  He was backing up his sailboat under power and did not realize the sail was engaged.  The sail caught wind and shifted his direction of travel and the hull drifted into a Sea Fox vessel that was anchored.  There were no injuries; no one was in the Sea Fox vessel when it was struck.  There was a small puncture wound on the starboard side of the hull of the Sea Fox along with a few scratches along the hull.  There was also minor damage on the port and starboard sides of the hull of the sailboat

**************END OF REPORT**********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0093
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: STATESVILLE
County: IREDELL
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Restricted vision
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 4, 2018, Operator1 was the operator of his 22'6” Malibu ski boat (vessel 1) on the waters of Lake Norman.  Operator1 was accompanied by 6 additional occupants within the boat and 1 individual being pulled behind the boat on skis.  Around 5:00pm, the boat became stationary between a small circular island and an elongated island closest to the west bank of the lake, about 0.90 miles downstream from Buffalo Shoals Bridge.  Once the skier got into position, Operator1 positioned his boat down the lake then accelerated the boat to a speed of 22 MPH (cruise control feature).  Note: Operator1 was seated in the operator's chair with his body facing the center portion of the boat.  Note: Operator1 and his passengers were primarily focused on their skier and were not looking forward in their direction of travel.  About 30 seconds after taking off and covering a distance of about 250 yards, Operator1 hears one of his passengers scream, he looks forward as his boat collides with Operator2's pontoon boat.  Operator1 was not able to change his speed or direction prior to impact.  Note: Operator1 did advise that wake boards attached to the left side of his boat along the role bar may have obstructed his view. 

Operator2 was the operator of his 28' South Bay pontoon boat (vessel 2) on the waters of Lake Norman.  Around 4:45pm, Operator2 traveled under the Buffalo Shoals Bridge stayed in the navigational channel, went to the east side of the elongated island then came to a stop to let a few of his passengers off at the “Rock Cliff” on the east bank of the lake.  Operator2 then idled his boat slightly back up the lake while making a wide 180 degree turn to the left.  Operator2 came to a stop once his boat was near the center of the navigation channel and perpendicular to the “Rock Cliff” at about 5:00pm.  Operator2 placed a tube in the water then two people got on the tube.  One person was seated in the central area of the stern (back) looking to the rear while another was seated in the front port (left) area of the boat and facing to the rear.  Once the tube was in position, Operator2 positioned his boat down the lake then accelerated the boat to a speed of 15-20 MPH.  Operator2 was seated in the operator's chair with his body facing the center portion of the boat while looking in his direction of travel.  As Operator1's boat was approaching Operator2's boat from the back left, it passed by the 2 occupants on the tube who were yelling to prevent a collision.  As Operator1's boat neared, another person sees the boat and yells to Operator2.  The collision occurred about 15 seconds after taking off and after covering a distance of about 65 yards. 

Operator1's boat approached Operator2's boat from the back left at a speed of 5-10 MPH faster than v2.  The impact angle was about 30 degrees.  It appears that the port (left) side bow about 2-3 feet back from the front was the primary point of impact and the bow eye was a secondary point of impact on Operator1's boat.  Operator2's boat sustained the primary impact at or just forward of the helm.  As Operator1's boat continued its momentum, it began to drive with great force into the railing of Operator2's boat, then shifted to the right as it glanced off the side while making continuous contact all the way to the bow (front) of v2.

*********************END OF REPORT*******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0094
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:35:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE TABOR
NearestCityorTown: TABOR CITY
County: COLUMBUS
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
operator was participating in an unpermitted boating race on 06/02/2018 at approximately 14:35 at Lake Tabor.  During the race, Operator gained a high rate of speed.  As a result of his excessive speed, the vessel became airborne.  Once the vessel became airborne, it flipped backwards ejecting and striking him.  He was wearing his PFD and kill switch.  Operator suffered a broken leg and was air lifted to Grand Strand Hospital in South Carolina.

**************END OF REPORT****************


BARDID: NC-2018-0095
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: FALLS LAKE
NearestCityorTown: WAKE FOREST
County: WAKE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On june 6, 2018 at approximately 11:30 pm, i received a call from dispatch stating they had been notified of a sunken vessel at falls lake.  Dispatch received information that the vessel started taking on water and eventually sinking around 7:00 pm and there were no injuries reported. The “towboat” company was notified and stated that they would retrieve the vessel the next day at approximately 10:00 am. 

I arrived on scene at approximately 10:30 on june 7, 2018 to see only the bow of the boat sticking out of the water.  Towboat arrived shortly after to start working on retrieving the vessel.  I patrolled to upper barton creek boat ramp to meet subject.  He stated they launched the boat on the evening of june 6th and drove to a cove located east of the boat ramp towards falls dam.   Subject and five other individuals were leisurely hanging out when they began to notice the vessel taking on water.  Subject tried to crank the boat but was unable to do so.  They flagged down a passing vessel and were able to safely board the other vessel while subject' vessel continue to sink.  He notified the wake county sheriff's department which put him in touch with towboat.  Upon inspection of the retrieved vessel, it was determined that the floor underneath the motor was rotten.

All the required safety equipment was on board.  There was no alcohol involved, no injuries reported and no violations detected.

****************end of report******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0096
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE CHATUGE
NearestCityorTown: HAYESVILLE
County: CLAY
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On or about 17:30 on July 4, 2018, Operator1, owner and operator of a pontoon boat was drifting in a cove on Lake Chatuge.  Operator2 was operating an inboard open boat.  Operator2  was attempting to pull up to Operator1'S port side at a 45-degree angle.  Operator1  was throwing bottles of water to the occupants in Operator2'S vessel.  Operator2 was attempting to catch a bottle of water and forgot to place his throttle in neutral.  The unreduced speed caused his bow to hit Operator1'S port side panels causing Operator2'S stern to lower and the bow to rise.  Operator1'S vessel tilted starboard and the eyelet of v2 vessel impacted the port side pontoon of Operator1'S ) vessel. The impact of the eyelet punctured and scratched the pontoon.  Operator2'S bow also damaged a panel and emblem on Operator1'S vessel.   After the impact, Operator2 reversed and moved away from Operator1'S vessel.  Operator2 stated he would pay for the damages and traveled back to his residence on the lake.  There were no reported injuries.

***************************END OF REPORT************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0097
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: JORDAN LAKE
NearestCityorTown: APEX
County: CHATHAM
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Inadequate onboard navigation lights
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
At approximately 2300 hours on 1 July 2018, Vessel #1 was traveling Northeast on B. Everett Jordan Reservoir at a speed of about 21 knots, while Vessel #2 was stationary.

Operator of Vessel #1 states he and his passenger were running Vessel #1 for the first time this boating season as they traveled out of the “S” turns and proceeded Northeast.  Operator of Vessel #1 states he did not see any navigation lights on Vessel #2, but did see the stern light just prior to the crash but was not able turn quick enough to avoid a collision.
 
Vessel #2 operator states he was located on B. Everett Jordan Reservoir with four passengers onboard waiting to watch the moon rise.  Vessel #2 operator states at the time they were drifting with the bow facing West and did not have an anchor out.  Vessel #2 operator also stated he did not have his navigation lights turned on at the time, but did have his stern light on.  As the group was sitting in the boat Vessel #2 operator states one of his passengers noticed Vessel #1 moving toward them and questioned whether Vessel #1 could see them.  Vessel #2 operator states he told the passenger they should be able to see the stern light.  Vessel #2 operator states he quickly realized Vessel #1 probably did not see them and grabbed one of his passengers who was seated near the bow pulling him away from the impact site.

The starboard stern area of Vessel #1 made contact with the bow of Vessel #2 causing significant damage to Vessel #1 and minor damage to Vessel #2.  After the impact and coming to a stop, it was determined Vessel #1 operator was unable to observe the stern light due to its obstruction caused by the bimini top of Vessel #2.  The impact occurred approximately 1 nautical mile Northwest of Ebeneezer Boating access area.

According to the operators of both Vessels #1 and #2, there was no alcohol or illicit drugs onboard and all safety equipment was onboard and serviceable.  At the time of the collision personal flotation devices were not being worn by the occupants of Vessel #1 or #2.  No injuries were reported.

********************END OF REPORT**********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0098
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:40:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: TAR RIVER
NearestCityorTown: GREENVILLE
County: PITT
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Capsizing
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 2, 2018 at approximately 7:40 pm, I received a call from Raleigh Dispatch regarding a boat incident on the Tar River.  The boat was heading west away from the Port Terminal Access Area. The incident occurred on the Tar River about one mile and a half away from the Port Terminal Access Area in Pitt County. The vessel that was in the incident was a 17ft 5in, 2006 175BR Bayliner with a 140 hp inboard/outboard motor. The vessel was operated by the owner, who was the only occupant on board the vessel.  It appears that the cause of the incident would be striking a submerged object, which led to Operator trying to control the vessel as it began to take on water from the stern resulting in the vessel being completely overturned in the water and flooding. 

Operator stated that he was heading upstream towards the Grimesland bridge while driving behind a friend who was heading in the same direction.  Operator stated that they launched the vessels around 5:45pm from the Port Terminal Access Area stating the reason they had launched the vessels was to check the other vessel's lower unit.  As both vessels were heading upstream, Subject1 was in front of Operator. Operator then struck an object which was submerged underwater when Subject1 was out of sight.  Operator immediately turned back around and started heading towards the Port Terminal Access Area.  He stated the water started to come in the vessel within seconds of striking the object and he immediately switched on the bilge pump.  He then called Subject1 to come back to help him.  Operator said he did not want to stop the vessel, he thought continuing to head back would be the smartest idea to do.  Within moments the water was by Operator's feet and he then went to the bow of the vessel for safety.  Operator said as soon as he went to the bow, Subject1 pulled up and he jumped into his vessel.  As the water continued to fill the vessel, it filled up one side and slowly rolled over. The vessel ended being hull side up where you could see a hole from the impact in the hull.  

Operator contacted 911 and explained to them what had happened.  Dispatch in Raleigh also contacted me regarding the incident.   I then continued to Pitt County Forestry Office to pick up my patrol boat and patrolled to the Port Terminal Access Area. 

Operator explained what had occurred in detail and pinpointed where the incident had occurred.  Operator said he and Subject1 did get the vessel to turn back upright long enough to float it back almost to the boat ramp.  When they were about 100 yards from the boat ramp the vessel overturned again.  They just let it float overturned back to the boat ramp to where they were when I arrived on scene.  As soon as I arrived on scene at approximately 8:30pm, I first asked if anyone was injured and needed medical assistance then I proceeded to take pictures of the vessel and secured the personal belongings that we could at the time.  Subject1, two other men and I, helped Operator load the vessel unto the trailer.  It took approximately an hour or longer to load the vessel. 

The damage to the vessel was approximately $6000 to $7000, before attempting to load the vessel on the trailer. The damage to the vessel was approximately $10000 or more after loading unto the trailer.

There were a few witnesses to the incident.  Received statements from the Operator and Subject1. After concluding all the evidence and statements, it appears the cause of the incident would be striking the submerged object.  No one has been charged as a result of this incident.

************************END OF REPORT*******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0100
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: WILMINGTON
County: NEW HANOVER
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 8, 2018 at appx 10:40, the New Hanover County Sheriff's office dispatched a Jet Ski incident near the North End Jet Ski Rentals.  Wildlife Officers, New Hanover Country EMS and Fire also responded to North Sea Breeze Road, Wilmington, North Carolina. 

Upon speaking to the Vessel 1 operator, he and his friend, Vessel 2 operator, were both heading North on the ICW appx ¼ mile North of North End Jet Ski Rental.  Vessel 2 was ahead and to the right of Vessel 1.  Vessel 2 turned to the left to do circles, when Vessel 2 turned left it crossed into the path of Vessel 1 which was heading north.  Vessel 2 turned to the right just before impact to attempt to avoid a collision. 

Vessel 2 made impact to Vessel 1 on the front right causing slight paint transfer and fiberglass damage.  Both operators were tossed into the water after impact.  

Operator1 swam to Operator2 to help him, but was unable to get him onto a jet ski because of the nature of his pelvic injury.  Operator2's and Operator1's wife took their jet skis back to the rental facility to get help.  

A passing boat saw the men struggling in the water and assisted them back to North End Jet Ski Rentals.  They were unable to take Operator2 out of the water until EMS arrived.  

Operator2 suffered a broken pelvis and has internal bleeding.
Operator1 was charged with Careless and Reckless operation of a PWC.

*********************END OF REPORT****************


BARDID: NC-2018-0101
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BANKS CHANNEL
NearestCityorTown: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
County: NEW HANOVER
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 14, 2018 at appx 19:30, the Wildlife Officers received a report of an injured person on a vessel in Banks Channel.  On July 16th Officers completed the following investigation at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

the injured person described the incident while he was in the New Hanover Regional Medical Center.  He just finished tubing behind the boat and was attempting to re-board the vessel.  While climbing up the swim platform ladder, he slipped and fell backwards into the prop causing lacerations to the back of both legs.  

The vessel took victim to a dock near N Channel Dr. in Wrightsville Beach where they were met by New Hanover County EMS and he was transferred New Hanover Regional Medical Center for treatment.

*******************END OF REPORT************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0102
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CROATAN SOUND
NearestCityorTown: NAGS HEAD
County: DARE
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper loading
AccidentCause2: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Electrical
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
Subject (Vessel 1), was at anchor and having engine trouble.  Subject went to the back of the vessel trying to pull start the engine while one passenger was at the console turning the key.  The engine tried to crank over.  The third passenger came to the stern of the vessel to lift the gas tank up onto a platform above the engine to see if that would help. That is when Subject noticed with the two of them at the stern of the vessel, water coming over the stern and into the boat.  He then had the passenger that was at the console come to the back of the vessel with a bucket to bail out the water.  When the passenger with the bucket was coming to the stern of the vessel, Subject and the other passenger started to proceed up the port side.  Subject stated as they were going up the port side of the vessel, that the water in the stern rushed forward towards the bow and then went to the port side of the vessel that they were on.  This caused the vessel to lean to the port side and capsize.  Subject and his passengers got on top of the vessel and called for help.  A Marine Fisheries Officer went to the location and put everybody on his vessel and took them to the Coast Guard Station at Oregon Inlet.  Subject went back out the next day and retrieved the vessel.   Neither alcohol nor drugs contributed to the incident and no violation was issued.

********************END OF REPORT******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0103
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE HICKORY
NearestCityorTown: BETHLEHEM
County: ALEXANDER
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 1, 2018  at approximately 12:30, a boating incident occurred on Lake Hickory at Lakeside Marina. Operator was operating the rented vessel at the time of the incident and there were five people on board.  Operator stated that he and his friends rented the boat and immediately began drinking and cruising. They decided to stop and get gas at Lakeside Marina near the HWY 127 Bridge and fill up a float with air.  Operator admitted to having been drinking at this time and that he came into the fueling area too fast.  In fact, he stated that a marina worker told him he needed to slow down.  He then struck the dock at the marina.  The marina reported no damage to their dock.  The right pontoon was bent inward on the nose, the driver's console and the table were ripped from the bolts holding them in place.  Officer and I arrived after the owner of the marina called me stating that Operator had returned the damaged rental boat to Lake Hickory Marina and left without paying for the damage.  The initial analysis of the damage is that the right pontoon will have to be repaired or replaced as the nose of the pontoon has been severely bent inward.  The driver's console and the table on board the boat were both torn from their bolts and will need to be reattached.

***************END OF REPORT***************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0104
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE GASTON
NearestCityorTown: LITTLETON
County: WARREN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On june 23, 2018, at about 2:00 pm, the operator of vessel number 1 was operating a personal water craft near the shore line.  The operator stated that the waves pushed her inward closer to the shore.  The operator then accidentally hit the throttle on her personal water craft.  This caused the personal water craft to accelerate into a near-by over-hanging limb.  This caused the operator to be ejected from the vessel.  This collision caused two of the operator's upper teeth to be knocked out, a laceration to the operator's upper lip, and a contusion to the operator's lower right leg.  She was taken to halifax regional medical center where she was treated and released.  The operator was wearing a personal flotation device as required by law.

**************************end of report******************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0105
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BLEWETT FALLS LAKE
NearestCityorTown: LILESVILLE
County: ANSON
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday July 15, 2018 at approximately 5:00 pm, a boat incident occurred on Blewett Falls Lake located in Richmond and Anson Counties.  Three people were riding a jet ski on Blewett Falls Lake heading away from the dam towards Buffalo Cove.  Operator was operating the jet ski, Occupant1 their two year old son was seated between he and Occupant2 who was the rear passenger.  Operator turned the jet ski to the left to return to the boat ramp traveling approximately 20 mph when the jet ski hit a wake from another boat and caused Occupant2 to lose balance and lean to the left.  

Operator tried to correct the unstable jet ski by leaning to the right but was unable to do so and all three occupants were ejected from the jet ski.  The three occupants were able to reboard the jetski and return to shore near the Anson County Access Area.  At that point they discovered that Occupant1 was having severe pain in his leg.  They transported him to a Hospital in Fayetteville, NC where he was diagnosed with a broken right femur.  This injury was likely caused by impact with the water, vessel or other occupant that was ejected from the jet ski.  All three subjects were wearing PFDS and there is no suspicion of impairment.

****************************END OF REPORT******************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0107
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: SWANSBORO
County: ONSLOW
WaterConditions: Choppy
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause2: People on gunwale, bow, or transom
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 8, 2018 at approximately 4:39 pm, I, Officer received a call from Officer2 stating that the Onslow County Sheriff's Office had been called to the scene of a boating incident with a drowning victim in Swansboro.  I patrolled to Casper's Marina in Swansboro to begin my investigation.  I arrived on scene at approximately 5:30 pm.  I spoke with the survivor from the boating incident and obtained written statements from the witnesses.

According to Operator, at approximately 3:30 pm, he and victim were traveling from the Cedar Point Access Area towards the Highway 24 bridge in Swansboro when their boat ran out of gas.  Operator reported that he and Victim were about fifty feet from the bridge when their motor started to sputter indicating that it had run out of gas.  Operator reported that at this time, Victim went to the bow of the boat and tried to get the electric trolling motor going.  Operator reported that the bow of the boat struck the pylon under the bridge knocking Victim off balance.  

Victim grabbed the trolling motor handle, which then broke off as he fell backwards into the water.  Operator reported that he then threw a PFD to Victim to hold on to.  Victim grabbed the PFD and floated about seventy-five to one hundred yards, according to Operator.  Operator reported that he could not help Victim any further due to the boat running out of gas. 

Another boat came by a short time later.  Operator flagged them down pointing towards where the PFD was in the water.  They then saw Victim floating face down in the water.  Subject1 jumped out of his boat to try and help Victim but could not hold his lifeless body up.  Subject1 returned to his boat.  Another vessel then eased up to the first good sam boat to assist with Victim's body.  The subjects from the first good sam boat, along with the second good sam attempted to bring Victim's body on board their boat but failed.  

At approximately 4:05 pm, Swansboro Fire and Rescue showed up and were able to retrieve Victim's body from the water.  EMS was waiting at Casper's Marina and declared time of death to be 4:08 pm.  Victim's body was transported to Onslow Memorial Hospital.  Victim's boat was brought to Casper's Marina and was docked when I arrived on scene.

*************************END OF REPORT**************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0108
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:10:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: OCEAN ISLE BEACH
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On or about 1710 on the 26th of July, two personal watercrafts were involved in an incident on the Intracoastal Waterway near Ocean Isle Beach.  Vessel 2 was following vessel 1 on the port side approximately 30 feet back.  

Vessel 1 made a sharp turn to the starboard and at the same time, vessel 2 crossed the wake of vessel 1 to its starboard side and struck the starboard bow of vessel 1 with the bow of vessel 2 causing extensive damage to vessel 1 only.  

Neither of the operators were injured, careless and reckless operation by vessel 1 is believed to be the contributing factor to the incident.  Both operators were wearing required personal floatation devises and were carrying all required safety equipment on the vessels.  Alcohol nor drugs were a contributing factor to the incident.

***********************END OF REPORT***************************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0109
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:10:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: SUNSET BEACH
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On or about 1610 on the 6th of August, two personal watercrafts were involved in an incident on the Intracoastal Waterway near Sunset Beach.   Vessel 1 operator was idling and looking for her sun glasses in the Sea-Do compartment when vessel 2 approached from the port side and struck vessel 1 in the port bow with the bow of vessel 2. 

 Vessel 2 left the scene of the accident and did not report the incident; the operator of vessel 1 was not injured.  Vessel 1 was carrying all required safety equipment.  Careless and reckless operation by vessel 2 is believed to be the contributing factor to the incident and was not determined if alcohol or drugs were a contributing factor.

*********************END OF REPORT*****************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0110
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CURRITUCK SOUND
NearestCityorTown: CAROLLA
County: CURRITUCK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On Friday, July 27, 2018, approximately 1149, I, Officer received a call from our Raleigh Dispatch that a boating incident had occurred at the Corolla Watersports rental agency.  I, Officer spoke with Deputy of the Currituck County Sheriff's Dept. Deputy stated that one female passenger was being transported via MedFlight to Norfolk General Hospital. 

Officers arrived at Lighthouse Drive, Corolla NC, approximately 1300 to speak with the operator of Vessel 1, Operator1 and the uninjured occupant of Vessel 1.  Operator1 stated she, V1 occupant1, and V1 occupant2 were riding the PWC with V1 occupant1 in the back and V1 occupant2 in the middle.  

Operator1 stated that she was operating the PWC when V1 occupant1 fell off the back.  Operator1 stated when she realized V1 occupant1 had fallen off the back of the PWC, they turned around.  When they got back to V1 occupant1, she was in the water, crying.  V1 occupant2, uninjured occupant of Vessel 1, stated that they had just switched seats.  Operator1 was operating the PWC, she was in the middle, and V1 occupant1 was on the back of the PWC.  V1 occupant2 stated they had just started to go when she felt V1 occupant1 fall off the back.  She stated they could see V1 occupant1 in the water as rental agency worker had made it to her.  The worker told them to go get help.

An employee stated that he was on safety patrol watching eleven other rented PWCS when he noticed a lady in the water not moving.  He stated he jumped in the water to hold her head above water and keep her calm.  Once he was able to calm down V1 occupant1, she was loaded onto a skiff and transported back to the dock.  He stated that V1 occupant1 was bleeding from her pelvic area. 

All parties involved were wearing PFDS. 
No Alcohol was involved.

************************END OF REPORT********************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0111
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CURRITUCK SOUND
NearestCityorTown: CAROLLA
County: CURRITUCK
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On Monday, August 13, 2018 at approximately 12:00 PM, Operator1 was operating a Personal Watercraft (PWC) in the Currituck Sound near Carolla, NC.  Operator1 was towing behind the PWC a tube carrying his sister and cousins.  Operator1 was headed south, traveling between 10 and 20 miles per hour and made a U-turn to head back north.  The tube behind the PWC swung into the dock.  

Tuber1's leg and arm came in contact with the dock and her head collided with Tuber2's head.  Tuber3 was able to jump from the tube before impact.  Subject1 jumped into the water and carried Tuber1 to the dock where Operator1 then carried Tuber1 to the house.  EMS responded to their call and transported Tuber1 to the hospital for examination.  The operator and occupants were wearing PFDS. The day was clear with light wind and choppy water.

********************END OF REPORT**********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0112
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2018-08-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: HOLDEN BEACH
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
AccidentCause3: Excessive speed
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On 8/22/18, at approximately 13:30, vessel 1 was struck by vessel 2.  Environmental conditions were calm waters, moderate winds, and light vessel traffic.

Vessels 1 and 2 were traveling west down the icw near marker 67 near holden beach, nc, along with a 3rd pwc.  Vessel 1 and 2 were following this 3rd pwc in a line with vessel 1 in the middle and vessel 2 in the back.  Operator2 stated he was approximately 100' to the rear of vessel 1 and also slightly to the starboard of it. 

While traveling down the icw, vessel 1 slowed and made a sharp turn to starboard causing the vessel to turn 180 degrees and to face vessel 2.  Immediately following this maneuver, Operator1 reduced throttle to the idling position.  Vessel 2 was traveling too closely to vessel 1 and turned to starboard and reduced throttle to the idle position in order to avoid colliding with vessel 1.  

Vessel 1 also attempted to avoid collision but by increasing throttle and turning to port.  Vessel 2's front port side struck vessel 1 at about mid-hull on vessel 1's starboard side.  After the initial collision, vessel 2's entire port side and vessel 1's entire starboard side collided.  Neither operator was hurt but vessel 1 sustained an approximately 20” crack through the starboard hull towards the front of the hull and running to midhull while vessel 2 sustained an approximately 15” crack running through the portside hull towards the back of it.  The crack in the hull of vessel 2 also took on water which caused the engine compartment to flood. 

Following the collision, both vessels were returned to holden beach jet skis which is where the vessels had been rented.  The 3rd pwc did not contribute to or witness the incident.  Both operators estimated their speed at the time of the collision to be 5 mph.  Operator2 stated he only had about 2 seconds to attempt to avoid collision with vessel 1 after it initially turned.   However, based on the damage to the vessels' hulls, the operators' statements, and lack of physical injuries, i estimate the speed of vessel 1 to be around 5 mph, the speed of vessel 2 to be around 20 mph, and the distance between vessels 1 and 2 to be about 75''. 

Vessel 1's operator contributed to this incident due to operator inexperience and by making a sudden sharp turn while traveling closely with other pwcs.  Vessel 2's operator contributed to this incident due to operator inexperience and by traveling too closely at too high rate of speed to allow sufficient time to avoid a collision. 

Vessel 1 sustained approximately $1500.00 in hull damage and vessel 2 is likely a total loss due to engine flooding and hull damage.

***************end of report****************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0113
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: WHITE OAK RIVER
NearestCityorTown: STELLA
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: People on gunwale, bow, or transom
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On May 5, 2018 at approximately 1730, vessel 1 struck an oyster bed in the White Oak River.  Vessel 1 was traveling at approximately 21 to 40 mph when the vessel struck an oyster bed.  The female passenger was thrown forward of the bow and went under the vessel striking the oyster bed.  Victim broke her right wrist and had deep cuts in her buttocks from the oyster bed.  Victim2 sustained cuts to his right leg and cuts to his back after he was ejected standing on the bow of vessel 1.  Once at the hospital, I could smell alcoholic beverage coming from the breath of Victim.  I completed Hgn on the driver.  I did not find any signs of high impairment. The driver was charged with careless and negligent operation of a motor vessel and resisting and obstructing a law enforcement officer.

******************END OF REPORT*************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0114
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BOGUE SOUND
NearestCityorTown: MOREHEAD CITY
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 17, 2018 at approximately 0815 hours, vessel 1 struck a sand bar in the Bogue sound.  Vessel 1 came to a sudden stop causing the operator's wife to fall down the stair case cutting her nose and injuring her back.  

The Coast Guard was called and transported victim to Carteret General Hospital.  Vessel 1 was driven back to Sponners Creek and a diver went down to make sure no damage was done.  Vessel 1 did not sustain any damage.  Weather was windy that morning. The operator said the sun was shining in his eyes making it hard for him to see. The operator was driving in the main channel and got off track when the incident took place.

**********************END OF REPORT***********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0115
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: BEAUFORT
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentCause1: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
AccidentCause2: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Fuel
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 19, 2018 at approximately 1800 hours, a distress call was placed by a vessel on fire and people in the water.  Vessel 1 was cruising near Carrot Island when the motor caught on fire.  The operator and passengers attempted to put the flames out with a fire extinguisher.  Their efforts were futile and they decided to abandon the vessel. T he Coast guard arrived on scene and recovered the people.  Only two of the four people onboard were wearing PFDS.  Vessel 1 was recovered by a family friend.

**************END OF REPORT******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0116
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2018-04-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CATAWBA RIVER
NearestCityorTown: CRAMERTON
County: GAST
WaterConditions: Unknown
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On 04/25/2018 at approximately 1400, operator along with a friend were kayaking on the south fork catawba river.  Several minutes after launching the kayaks, operator's friend lost control of his kayak and it floated off.  Operator paddled out to retrieve the kayak.  While trying to gain control of the unmanned kayak, operator flipped his kayak.  He tried to climb back into his kayak but was swept down steam due to the strong currents.  

Operator was swept down stream and was washed onto a pile of debris.  Three witnesses who were on the bank fishing observed this and called 911.   Fire and ems responded to assist. Charlotte fire and rescue retrieved operator from the debris.  Operator was then transported to caramont (gaston county) memorial hospital to be treated for possible hypothermia.  He was released and returned home.

**********************end of report******************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0117
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:47:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CAPE FEAR RIVER
NearestCityorTown: WILMINGTON
County: NEW HANOVER
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 4 2018 at appx 14:40, the New Hanover County Sheriff's office dispatched a Jet Ski incident off River Rd in Wilmington.  Wildlife Officers, New Hanover Country EMS and Fire also responded to the approximate location north of Carolina Beach State Park in the Cape Fear River, Wilmington, North Carolina. 

Upon speaking to the Vessel 1 operator he was heading North in the Cape Fear River at Appx. 30 MPH with his wife and his son on the back of the jet ski.  Operator attempted to make a sharp U-turn to the left when the jet ski capsized.  Operator felt all the weight on the jet leaning to one side and he attempted to correct it but was unable to before it turned over.   

People sitting on a nearby dock saw the people struggling in the water and assisted the child to the dock.
SeaTow righted the flooded and capsized jet ski and towed it back to Wilmington Jetski Rentals and Wildlife Officers returned all of the occupants back to Carolina Beach State Park.
All passengers were checked over by New Hanover County EMS and no injuries were reported.

******************END OF REPORT************************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0118
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CURRITUCK SOUND
NearestCityorTown: CAROLLA
County: CURRITUCK
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
AccidentCause3: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
operator on Vessel 1, was doing circles on the PWC. When she changed direction she hit her own wake and flew into the handle bars.  She then went back to the seat and into the handle bars again before being ejected from the PWC.  the PWC rental agency responded to the call, put her on his vessel, and took her to the dock.  Alcohol or drugs did not contribute to the incident and no violation was issued.

****************END OF REPORT***********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0119
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BROAD CREEK
NearestCityorTown: WASHINGTON
County: BEAUFORT
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Weather
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 15, 2018 at approximately 2:45 pm, I received a phone call stating that a boat had hit the dock at the boat ramp at Pamlico Plantation in Washington, NC and broke off the bumper rail that was attached to the dock and broke the aluminum ladder affixed to the end of the dock as well as a plyon. I arrived on scene at approximately 3:32 pm. 

On scene one of the witnesses explained that a male driving an older white side console boat unloaded his boat at the boat ramp, turned the boat around to jump off the boat with his truck battery.  After getting his motor started, Witness stated that the man took off and hit the end of the dock.  He stated he went to the end of the dock and noticed that the white bumper rail was missing and the aluminum ladder was bent and one of the steps was broken at the weld.  I walked to the end of the dock to assess the damage.  I noted that the aluminum ladder was broken and that the rubber bumper rail was not attached to the last pylon of the dock like the others.  I also noticed that the pylon appeared to have damage.  I then mentioned to Witness that they may want to mark off the end of the dock until they have the pylon looked at.  I then waited on the boat to return to the dock.  

At approximately 5:00 pm, the boat returned to the dock.  I asked Operator if he had realized that he hit the end of the dock.  He stated he was aware and had the white bumper rail in the floor of his boat.  He stated he was going to reattach the bumper rail once he got back onto the dock. The passenger, made the statement that he also hit the ladder at the end of the dock.  I then checked the vessel for all of its safety equipment.  All safety equipment was present and in usable condition.  I asked Operator for the boat registration.  The boat was recently purchased and the boat registration was still in the previous owner's name.  Operator then attempted to reattach the bumper rail.  I handed Operator a copy of the MB 4.1 and instructed him on how to fill it out.  I then left the scene.

*******************END OF REPORT*****************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0120
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:18:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: PAMLICO RIVER
NearestCityorTown: BATH
County: BEAUFORT
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On Friday August 17, 2018 at 1728, we received a call from the NC Marine Fisheries about two missing boaters near North Creek in the Pamlico River.  We arrived on scene around 1830 and met with Marine Fisheries.  The Coast Guard was already patrolling the area as they were notified at 1618.  We were told the boat left the dock at Potters Marina around noon on Friday.  
Around 1600 on August 17th, the boat was found drifting next to the bank 150 yards from where the subjects reside.  Subject1 was able to get in the boat and drive it to his personal dock where he secured the boat on his lift.  Subject1 stated the swim ladder was down on the boat.  Subject1 is also the one who contacted the Coast Guard.  The wind was blowing out of the South West at the time the boat was found drifting.  At 1918 Officers went to look at the boat at Subject1's residence.  The subject's clothes were laying in the back of the boat with a towel over them and their phones were in the consoles of the boat.  There were also life vests in the right console of the boat. There were two empty beer bottles in the cup holders on each side of the boat.  At 1900 Beaufort County Emergency services were dispatched.  Their Command Center was set up at Potters Marina.  Upon talking to the son and daughter of the boaters, it was determined they did not have the normal life vest they normally wear because they were found in the residence.  
The search for the missing boaters continued all night Friday and into Saturday morning on August 18th.  The GPS was taken out of the boat and used to determine where the missing boaters may have gotten in the water.  Grid patterns where then set out so each fire department/agency could search different areas for the boaters.  Sonar was also used to search.  On Sunday August 19th, at 0753 the body of the male was found.  At 0824 the body of the female was found within 400 yards of the male.  Both Bodies were found in North Creek.  The male did not have any clothes on and the female only had a bra on.  Both bodies were then turned over to Emergency services where they were transported back to Potters Marina.


BARDID: NC-2018-0121
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: HOLDEN BEACH
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On june 9, 2018 at approximately 4:00 pm, Operator1 was operating a rental pwc heading east on the intracoastal waterway.  His nephew, Operator2, was also operating a rental pwc and was following along behind Operator1.   As they were heading back to return the pwcs, operator1 motioned for his nephew to come along side of his vessel so he could give him some direction on where they needed to go.  

According to Operator1, his nephew came towards him and tried to steer away when he realized he would hit him, but was unable to due to not applying throttle to the pwc, thereby losing steering capability.  Operator1 saw that an impact was inevitable and jumped off his pwc.  Operator2's pwc struck Operator1's pwc on the port side causing damage to the hull of the pwc.  They continued on to the rental agency and explained the incident.  Pfds were worn and alcohol and drugs did not contribute to this incident.  No charges were filed in this case.

**************end of report**********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0122
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:50:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: OAK ISLAND
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
AccidentCause2: Inadequate onboard navigation lights
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On june 11, 2018 at approximately 20:40, operator1 was operating his 24 ft. Chapparal on the intracoastal waterway near 49th street in oak island.  He and three of his friends had just left josephs restaurant and were heading west back toward st james marina where he stores his vessel.  The weather was inclement and they were trying to get home before the rain and lightning became too bad.  

At the same time, operator2 was paddling a 10 ft kayak on the left of the mainland side of the intracoastal wateway with a friend who was paddling his kayak on the oak island side of the waterway.  According to operator2, they left out before sunset and had planned on being back before dark.  They paddled west down the waterway and realized it was beginning to get dark and decided to turn around and head back.  

The tide and current made the return trip take longer and resulted in the two kayakers being out past sunset.  The weather and cloud cover that day created low light/dark conditions earlier than usual.  According to operator2 and the other kayak, they heard and could see a vessel coming.  Operator2 stated that he turned to the port and began paddling towards the shoreline in an attempt to get out of the way of the oncoming vessel when he realized the vessel wasn't stopping.  

Unfortunately this maneuver was taken too late and operator1's vessel struck operator2's.  According to operator1 and his occupants, they never saw either of the kayakers and did not realize anything until they felt the impact.  Upon impacting operator2 and his kayak, operator1 fell forward onto the console/windshield and received minor injuries to his face and right leg.  Operator2 received serious injuries as a result of being struck by the large 24 ft vessel.  His right arm was severely injured and he received several broken ribs, a punctured lung and a laceration on his liver.  

Operator1 turned  around and picked up operator2 and the other kayaker called for assistance and took them to dutchman creek villas where ems responded.  Operator2 was taken to new hanover regional medical hospital and underwent surgery for his injuries.  Operator1 originally did not seek treatment but later on decided to be taken to dosher medical hospital in southport for his injuries.  Operator1 was treated and released.  

It appears that this incident was a result of the kayakers being out in low light/dark conditions after sunset without any way to signal oncoming vessels.  They had no light to create a signal.  The weather conditions on this day would have created poor visibility conditions which would lend itself to not being able to see the kayakers on the waterway.  It does not appear at this time that alcohol or drugs played a role in this incident.  Operator1's vessel was equipped with all necessary safety equipment and pfds.  He utilized pfds from his vessel to throw out to the kayakers after the impact to aid them in floatation.  Based upon witness statements and evidence from the scene, it does not appear that the operation of either vessel involved amounted to negligent or reckless operation.  As a result no charges were filed. The kayaks were not equipped with pfds or any light with which to signal approaching vessels.

***********************end of report****************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0123
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE TILLERY
NearestCityorTown: NORWOOD
County: STANLY
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On saturday june 9, 2018 around 10:30 pm, a boating incident occurred on lake tillery near willow oak rd. Norwood, nc in stanly county.  Vessel 1 is a 22 foot 2018 southbay pontoon.  The operator at the time of the incident was the owner of vessel 1.  There were three female passengers on board at the time of the incident.  The operator stated he was operating at night at a cruising speed just under 10 mph.  He was heading south near the stanly county shore line and was approximately 200 yards from his destination.   A ski boat, (vessel 2) struck vessel 1 on the left port side and deflected off to the left.  Vessel 2 did not stop and continued heading south.  Vessel 2 then turned left towards the lilly's bridge marina and turned its navigational lights off.   No one was injured on vessel 1.  

Operator1 was operating vessel 1 with his family on board.  They were heading south on lake tillery with all their navigational lights on when vessel 2 struck them from behind on the left port side.  Vessel 2 then deflected off the left side and continued to travel  away from vessel 1.  After impact, operator1 quickly noticed no one on his vessel was injured.  Operator1  observed vessel 2 flee the scene of the incident.  He stated vessel 2 never attempted to stop after the impact and turned towards the direction of lilly's bridge marina  and turned its navigational lights off.  Operator1 described vessel 2 as white in color with a red stripe and a ski tower.  Operator1 began heading towards his destination to assess the damage to his vessel.  The sheet metal on the left port corner was damaged as well as the one inch tubing that supports the sheet metal.  Part of the canopy was damage on the left side due to the top being layed back in the down position.   

Notification of the boating incident to the north carolina wildlife resources commission was delayed due to operator1 being unaware that the incident had to be reported.  The details about the boating incident came up in a general conversation with another wildlife law enforcement officer and was then reported. 

All safety equipment was accounted for on vessel 1.  There were no injuries on vessel 1 due to the boating incident.  It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were not a factor in this incident.  No one was charged as a result of the boating incident.  It is unknown of the property damage to vessel 2.  As a result of this incident property damage was over $7,500.  At this time vessel 2 is unknown and no other witnesses have came forward pertaininig to this incident.

************************end of report*******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0124
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: MOORESVILLE
County: IREDELL
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday, July 21st at approximately 4:30pm, a boating incident took place in the main channel of Lake Norman near Hager's Creek.   A personal watercraft (V2) was cruising slightly behind two pontoon boats which flanked him on both sides.  As (V2) passed between them, (V1) was on his port-side and a unknown pontoon boat was on his starboard-side.  (V2) was attempting to overtake the vessels and turned to his port-side crossing in front of (V1).  The bow end of (V1's) port-side pontoon struck the mid-section of the port-side of (V2).  The operator of (V2) was ejected and he obtained a small cut on his left arm requiring 2 stitches.  He was taken to the VA hospital in Salisbury, NC.  The bow end of the port-side pontoon was damaged on (V1).  It was bent indicating a direct impact.  On (V2) the fiberglass on the port-side gunnel was cracked, the seating above it was ripped and the rear reloading bar was snapped off in the same area.

Operator2 was operating (V2), a 10-foot, 10-inch Yamaha FX1000F personal watercraft with no passengers onboard at the time of the incident.  The operator of (V1), a 19-foot, 4-inch Bennington SX20 pontoon boat, could not be determined.  Numerous individuals were present, but no one was willing to talk to law enforcement about this incident.  The actual operator and passengers of (V1) could not be determined because they immediately fled after dropping off the vessel.  The pertinent information for the individual who rented (V1) was not obtained by the rental agency and therefore he could not be reached or positively identified.  Several witnesses said that there had been multiple operators over the course of the day, but no one would say who was operating at the time of the incident.

All the required boating safety equipment was available on both rented vessels.  It could not be determined if alcohol or drugs were  a factor in this case.

Based on the physical evidence and the interview with the operator of (V2) it was determined that (V2) was at fault.  The fact that he was overtaking (V1) would make him the give-way vessel.  The operator of (V1) should have maintained course and speed, while (V2) should have altered his course and speed to ensure clearance before cutting in front of (V1).  (V2) operated his PWC without due regard for the safety of others.  He was issued a citation for careless and reckless operation.

 (V2) worked out an agreement with the rental company to purchase the PWC from them in the amount of $3500.  This amount exceeded the total damages to the vessel.

****************END OF REPORT***********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0125
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: CORNELIUS
County: IREDELL
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday, July 21st at approximately 6:30pm, a boating incident took place in the vicinity of the area known as the "Sandbar" on Lake Norman.  This was approximately 0.6 miles northwest of Mandrain Point Drive in Cornelius, NC.  A personal watercraft (V1) circled a pontoon boat (V2) and struck it on the port-side crossing over its bow.  The exact location and direction could not be accurately determined based on the information given.  The personal watercraft was rented at CS Rentals of Lake Norman.  The pontoon boat was rented at Salt Shaker Marine.

Operator1 was operating (V1) an 11-foot Yamaha VX personal watercraft with no passengers onboard at the time of the incident.  Subject was the intended operator of (V2) a 24-foot Bentley 240 Cruise pontoon boat.  V2 was not being operated at the time of the incident and the anchor was deployed.  

(V1) was in front of (V2) when he began to travel in a large circular clockwise motion around the pontoon boat.   As (V1) completed rounding the stern of (V2), he lost control of his vessel after letting off of the throttle.  He tried to turn back to port but (V1) continued to travel in the path it was originally heading.  The bow of (V1) struck close to the middle on the port-side of (V2).  It continued to travel across the bow of (V2) at a high rate of speed damaging the metal gunwale and railing as it crossed.  The railing and associated seating on the portside bow of (V2) were torn from the anchor points on the decking and mangled up.  The molding that holds the upper and lower sections of (V1) together was ripped away from the port-side bow.  As (V1) struck the railings on (V2) it sustained scratching on the bow, port and starboard sides.  

No injuries occurred during this incident and all the required boating safety equipment was available on both vessels.  Alcohol or drugs did not appear to be a factor in this case.

It was concluded that the operator of (V1) was operating in a careless and reckless manner, had little experience on such a vessel and was not paying attention to his surroundings.  He operated his PWC without due regard for the safety of others and obviously was not within the lawful requirement to be at idle speed within 50 feet of another vessel.   He was issued a citation for careless and reckless operation and for not having a boating safety certification to operate.  He was not listed as a person who was allowed to operate on the rental agreement.  Therefore he was not covered under the rental exemption in the law and must complete the course to operate a vessel equipped with a motor of 10hp or greater.

*********************END OF REPORT********************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0126
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
County: NEW HANOVER
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 11, 2018 at approximately 4:55pm, I NC Wildlife Enforcement Officer was contacted by another Wildlife Enforcement Officer reference a boating incident involving a personal watercraft and minor injuries to a passenger at Wrightsville Beach north of the Wrightsville Beach Wildlife Access Area on the ICW.   

Wildlife Enforcement Officer s and I Immediately responded to the call by boat.  Officer and I arrived at the Wrightsville Beach A.A. dock at approximately 5:35pm where me met Wrightsville Beach Police Sergeant.  Sgt. informed us that the operator of Vessel 1 was in the parking lot with another W.B.P.D officer and that he had been consuming alcohol.  

I spoke with Operator1 briefly about the accident, had him perform standardized field sobriety tests, and placed him under arrest for operating while impaired.  Operator1 had a BAC of .17 according his test results from the Intoximeter EC/IR II.  

According to Operator1, at approximately 3:30pm he was operating vessel 1 and was traveling north on the ICW just south of Mason's Inlet at approximately 40 mph on the east side of the channel.  One person was onboard Vessel 1 riding passenger behind Operator1.  

According to Operator1, just before the accident, two unknown approximately 20-26' fiberglass center console type motor boats (Vessel 2 and Vessel 3) were heading south towards him on plane in the middle of ICW following very closely to each other.  Vessel 2 positioned slightly west of the middle of the channel was the first to pass Vessel 1.  Vessel 3 positioned in the middle of the channel heading south towards Vessel 1 passed within several yards of Vessel 1.  

Vessel 1 turned slightly to the west to avoid the approaching Vessel 3 but stayed in the channel to avoid the marsh.  Vessel 1 then jumped over what he described as a large wake from the combined wakes of Vessels 2 and 3.  After Vessel 1 jumped the large wake, Operator1 and V1 occupant were ejected from Vessel 1 landing in the ICW.  

Vessel I's engine shut off and the PWC drifted over into the edge of the marsh on the east side of the channel.  According to V1 occupant an unknown individual in a kayak (Vessel 4) paddling by after the incident, turned her upright while she was floating face down in the water.  Operator1 swam over to Vessel 1 and re-boarded.  He then motored over to V1 occupant, picked her up and transported her over to Palm tree island where her friends were.  V1 occupant was then transported over to the WB Wildlife access area by another vessel where she met the EMS and was later admitted to New Hanover Regional hospital.  

Operator1 suffered a laceration under his chin from possibly striking the handlebars of Vessel I and a contusion to the back of his head from V1 occupant head impacting him from the rear.  V1 occupant suffered a broken jaw, a contusion on her right thigh, 2 teeth knocked out, and 6 chipped teeth from her head possibly impacting the rear of Operator1's head and later impacting Vessel 1.  There was no reported damage to Vessel 1.

******************END OF REPORT**********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0127
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE WYLIE
NearestCityorTown: BELMONT
County: GASTON
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On the 8th day of july 2018 at approximately 2:45 pm, two vessels were involved in a collision on the south fork river of lake wylie.   It was sunny outside and 85 degrees with a light breeze blowing 0 to 6 mph.  Vessel number one was docked up on its port side at the harbor town marina filling up with gasoline. The marina is on the south fork catawba river in belmont, north carolina.  

While vessel one was docked and fueling, vessel two began to dock up on its starboard side.  Vessel two was backing up to the dock when the bow swung right and hit vessel one in the starboard side panel.  The rub rail of vessel two's starboard side bow made contact with vessel one at the operator's seat side panel.  The contact from vessel two created a large dent and scratch in the side panel of vessel one.  The gasket sealing the panel to the floor at the operator's seat of vessel one was also broken.  There was no damage to vessel two. The operator of vessel two had been consuming alcoholic beverages.  No one was injured.  There were no violations in this boat incident.

****************end of report*********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0128
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:58:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CURRITUCK SOUND
NearestCityorTown: DUCK
County: DARE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On Thursday, 7-26-18 approximately 1500 hours, Officers received a call for a PWC collision off Soundside Watersports. 

Officers made it to Soundview at approximately 1700 hours to find two PWCS on trailers out of the water, the involved parties gone, and we were informed that a 14-year-old male had been airlifted to Norfolk for possible internal injuries.  We met Duck, NC Sgt. who was first on scene, and he briefed us on the events that occurred, personal information of the parties involved, and an overview of what he did. 

Sgt. told us that Operator1, operator of vessel 1, was seated behind V1 occupant1, injured occupant of Vessel 1, with her arms around him operating the PWC.  Vessel 1 was then stuck by Vessel 2 operated by Operator2 and V2 occupant2, occupant of Vessel 2. We inspected the PWCS and took down the information we needed from the rental company. 

Officers all drove to Carova to meet the involved parties at their vacation rental and questioned them on the incident.  When we arrived, we were met by subject who acted as Operator2's translator and led us upstairs to talk to Operator2 and Operator1.  Operator2, operator of Vessel 2, told us that neither jet ski was moving and suddenly, his jet ski sped up without him doing anything and collided with Operator1 and v1 occupant1 who were also at a standstill.  As we began talking to Operator1, operator of Vessel 1, she said that both jet skis were going about 10-20 mph when they collided.  Operator1 also stated that she was in front on the jet ski, with V1 occupant1 riding behind her.  Operator2 and Translator (he was on a separate ski) all confirmed this story. 

I, Officer called V1 occupant1's mother, on 8/1/18 to follow up and check in on V1 occupant1's injuries.  V1 occupant 1’s mother told me that they had just gotten released from the hospital the day before (7/31/18) after 6 days in the trauma center.  She stated that V1 occupant1 had a broken neck, Ruptured Spleen, torn ligament in his left leg, his left arm is in a sling, and he has stitches across all his fingers on the left hand.

Based on information gathered from Sgt. of Duck Police Dept., first officer on scene, further investigation and matching the damage on Vessel 1 to the injuries sustained by V1 occupant1, occupant of Vessel 1, findings indicate that V1 occupant1 was seated in the forward position on the PWC in front of Operator1, operator of Vessel 1.
     
On Wednesday August 8, 2018 approximately 1245 we spoke to Operator1, operator of vessel 1 regarding her conflicting statements on the seating position on Vessel 1.  Operator1 stated to Sgt that V1 occupant1 was seated in front of her, but she was still operating the PWC.  The statement given to myself was that V1 occupant1 was seated behind her.  On August 8, 2018 Operator1 stated that she had gotten confused when giving her statement on the MB 4.1 and confirmed that V1 occupant1 was seated in front of her on Vessel 1 but did confirm that she was operating the vessel. 

Based on Investigation Operator2, operator of Vessel 2 violated GS 75A-10(a) by operating a motorboat or vessel on the waters of this state in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger life, limb or property of any person.  Charges are not being pursued due to operator2’s status as a Foreign National.    

No Alcohol Involved
PFDS worn by all involved

************************END OF REPORT**********************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0129
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:40:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: HAW RIVER
NearestCityorTown: GRAHAM
County: ALAMANCE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Four individuals went out on the Haw River on Sunday June 10, 2018.  They took with them a 12 pack of beer according to Subject1.  They flipped a kayak upside down and all four swam across the river holding on to the kayak.  Once across the river near the jump rock, both males flipped the kayak right side up and climbed inside.  At this point both females were on shore.  

Both Subject1 and Subject2 were on board the kayak and while playing in the water flipped the kayak back over.  Now back in the water the two continued to swim in the river for roughly 10 minutes and were not in distress.  Subject1 said he was going to pull the kayak over to the shore to empty out the water.  It was at this time Subject2 decided he wanted to swim out to a shallow area in the middle of the river.  
One of the females on shore asked Subject2 twice to take one of the life jackets that was on the kayak.  He said no, he will be fine.  Subject2 made it about 40 to 50 yards from the kayak when he began to get tired.  He began to yell he can't swim and to help.  Subject1 now back on shore emptied the water out of the kayak and made his way out to Subject2 but it was too late.  
Subject2 went under at around 17:45.  Subject1 began diving to find Subject2 and the two females went for help.  Subject1 stated that the alcohol was split evenly between the four, but it is currently unclear how much alcohol Subject2 consumed.  Blood samples have been taken by the Alamance county medical examiner to determine if alcohol or drugs were in Subject2 system at the time of the drowning and what his level of concentration was.  
It is my opinion that the kayak that was used at the time shortly prior to the incident as a swim platform did not contribute to Subject2 death.  His decision to leave the kayak voluntarily without a life jacket and the potential use of alcohol were contributing factors to his subsequent drowning.

*****************END OF REPORT***************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0130
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:50:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ROANOKE SOUND
NearestCityorTown: NAGS HEAD
County: DARE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
I spoke with Operator of Vessel 1.  Operator1 stated that he and two occupants were traveling NE with an uninvolved vessel to his left, and Vessel 2 traveling NE to his right.  Operator1 stated that he looked at the vessel to his left.  When he looked back forward, Vessel 2 had made a left turn and was traveling straight towards him.  Operator1 stated that he made a quick left-hand turn to avoid a head on collision.  Vessel 2 struck Vessel 1 on the rear right side throwing all three v1 subjects into the water.  Operator1 stated that once in the water, he heard injured occupant of Vessel 2 screaming. 

I, Officer spoke with operator of Vessel 2.  Operator2 stated that he and occupant of Vessel 2 were approaching shallow water so Operator2 made a left-hand turn.  Operator2 stated that after the turn, Vessel 1 struck Vessel 2.  Operator2 stated that after the two vessels collided, he struck the steering column and then fell into the water. 

All parties involved were wearing PFDS. 

No Alcohol was involved. 

No charges were pursued due to the age of operators of both Vessel 1 and Vessel 2

************END OF REPORT***************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0133
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:18:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BELEWS LAKE
NearestCityorTown: PINE HALL
County: STOKES
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentEvent2: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Operator inattention
OtherAccidentCause: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Throttle
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 12 August, 2018, a group of individuals on an island on Belews lake (near Lat. 36.29717 Lon. 80.04719) had been swimming.  They decided to leave the island and head back to the boat ramp at approximately 8:15 P.M.  Vessel number 2 was ahead of Vessel number 1.  During our investigation, we were told that Vessel 2 was operated by someone other than Operator2 but throughout our investigation we were given conflicting stories and Operator2 admitted to being the operator. 

 As the vessels began to leave the island, Operator1 was directly behind vessel 2.  He stated that as he took off an occupant inside the vessel had lost his balance and fallen over.  Operator1 stated that he looked down to check on the fallen occupant and when he looked up, Vessel 2 had slowed in the water in front of them.  Vessel 2 experienced throttle failure causing the vessel to slow in the water.  Operator1 stated that he turned hard to the left attempting to avoid a collision but hit the left portion of the stern.  Operator1 stated that he checked to ensure everyone was uninjured and offered to help pay for the damage.  Operator1 then stated that subject on v2 began making verbal threats about physically harming Operator1 because he had caused damage to their boat.  At that time, Operator1 stated that he left the scene fearing for his own safety.  He headed for Humphries Ridge Marina.  Vessel 2 followed vessel 1 back to the marina. 

Officer and I were conducting a vessel stop on a separate vessel near the Marina when Vessel 1 passed closely by us followed by Vessel 2 approaching us yelling.  An occupant on Vessel 2 yelled to us that Vessel 1 had just hit their boat and were running away and requested that we stop the boat.  There was noticeable damage to the stern of the vessel as they approached us closer.  We pursued Vessel 1 and conducted a vessel stop inside the no wake zone of Humphries Ridge Marina.  The Operator, Operator1, admitted that he had hit the other boat and admitted to drinking 5-6 beers.  Operator1 was 20 years of age.  I conducted standard field sobriety tests and found Operator1 to be impaired.  We charged Operator1 with BWI and negligent operation of a vessel resulting in property damage.  Vessel 2 had visible damage to the stern, port side, and lower unit estimated to be approximately 6,000.00 worth of damage.  Vessel 1 had noticeable marks and slight gouges in the fiberglass below the water line on starboard side as well as a hole in the lower unit estimated to be around $3,000.00 worth of damage.  No injuries resulted from the incident.  Both vessels had all of the necessary safety equipment on board. 

********************END OF REPORT***************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0134
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:22:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: FONTANA LAKE
NearestCityorTown: ALMOND
County: SWAIN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: People on gunwale, bow, or transom
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
This is a single vessel accident that occurred on Fontana Lake. The group of occupants that were on board this vessel had been on the lake 8 hours and had been on a work picnic and had been consuming alcoholic beverages. The vessel was a pontoon boat carrying 8 occupants on board.  This Pontoon was a rented boat from Alarka Boat Dock located on the lake. 

At the time of the accident, the boat operator was cruising at a speed not greater than 10 miles per hour and was returning back to the dock from their outing.  The driver had not been consuming alcoholic beverages and was the designated driver.  Two occupants were riding on the bow of the Pontoon Boat and had been dipping their feet into the water while it was underway. Both of these occupants had been consuming alcoholic beverages.  The occupant listed as (Victim Injured 1) in the injured section was sitting in the middle of the bow, and the occupant listed as (Injured 2) was sitting on left side of the bow.  The occupant sitting in the middle dipped her feet in the water too deep causing her to lose her balance and begin to fall forward.  At the same time, the occupant to her left reached for her and both occupants went into the water while the boat was moving forward. 

At that time both occupants disappeared under the boat and were struck by the propeller.  Victim 1 that was sitting in the middle of the boat hit her head and neck on the propeller, and victim 2 had minor lacerations caused by the propeller.  The driver heard the victims hit the propeller while she was attempting to cut the engine off.  The victims then floated out from under the boat and to the rear of the pontoon. 

All occupants on the Pontoon then grabbed life jackets and started to rescue both victims.  Victim 1 was unconcious and was floating face down in the water, and victim 2 was conscious and floating with her head out of the water.  Victim 1 was put onto the vessel, and victim 2 was put onto another Pontoon boat that was in the area.  CPR was performed on Victim 1 until she started breathing again on her own.  Both victims were then carried by the Pontoon Boats to Alarka Boat Dock where an ambulance was standing by.  They were then transported to Swain Hospital.  Victim 1 was carried by helicopter to Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC.  She was in the hospital for 5 days and had surgery to repair a skull fracture and lacerations to the back of the neck.  She has since been sent home and is improving but has no memory as to what happened. 

Victim 2 was treated and released from Swain Hospital for lacerations to both feet and right arm.  She also had a concussion and did not recall what had happened to her in the accident. 

The driver stated that both victims had been drinking alcoholic beverages and she was unsure if drugs had been taken before leaving the dock at 11:00 am.  She did see both victims fall overboard and could not react to it in time to cut off the engine.  Life jackets were used during the rescue efforts but they were not used by the victims.  They were only used by the rescuing party. 

No further investigation is needed in this incident.  No charges have been filed in this incident.


*************END  OF REPORT*********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0135
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-09-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BELEWS LAKE
NearestCityorTown: STOKESDALE
County: ROCKINGHAM
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On 09/03/2018, at approximately 7:00 pm, a boating incident occurred on belews lake 1.0 miles south of the belews lake dam.  The vessel was a 10 ft polaris personal watercraft that was pulling two people on a tube.  The vessel made a sharp turn causing slack in the rope that became wrapped around tuber1's right leg. The right femur of Tuber1 was dislocated when the slack of the rope tightened.

At the time of the incident, operator (operator) was pulling tuber1 and tuber2 on a tube just south of the belews lake dam.  Operator made a sharp turn with the pwc which caused slack in the rope that was pulling the tube.  The slack in the rope became wrapped around tuber1's right leg.  When the pwc continued moving, the slack in the rope tightened causing the rope to also tighten on tuber1's leg in a fast jerking motion.  This caused the right femur of tuber1 to become dislocated as well as flipping the tube causing tubers to be thrown into the water.  Operator then called 911.  Ems and madison/mayodan rescue squad arrived on scene at approximately 7:30 pm.  Tuber1 was then transported to carolina marina by boat with madison/mayodan resuce squad.  Tuber1 was transported to moses cone hospital in greensboro, nc by ems. Tuber1 underwent surgery to repair his dislocated femur on 09/04/18 and is expected to make a full recovery. All three individuals were wearing a personal floatation device at the time of the incident and no alcohol or drug were believed to be involved.

It appears that due to inexperience, the operator made too sharp of a turn on the pwc for the rope that was connected to the tube to stay tight.  No one was charged as a result of this incident.

************************end of report***********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0136
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BELEWS LAKE
NearestCityorTown: STOKESDALE
County: ROCKINGHAM
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On july 21 2018, operator was operating her family owned vessel on belews lake.  At approximately 1845 hours, Operator1 was maneuvering the vessel towards an island east of the pine hall ramp and north of humphrey's ridge ramp.  As she approached the north side of the island where there is a sandy beach area, she put the throttle in neutral and cut off the motor.  The boat was barely moving forward when subject1 decided to jump of the bow of the vessel to stop the vessel from running aground.  Subject1 thought the water was deeper than it is where he jumped and landing hard.  He yelled out he hurt his leg, at which time another person jumped into the water to help subject1.  Subject2 saw subject1's right shin and said it's broken.  He lifted subject1 back into the vessel.  Subject3 called ems as Operator1 operated the vessel back to humphrey's ridge where they launched the boat.  Approximately 1920 hours, ems was working on subject1 on the vessel at humphrey's ridge.

*****************end of report*****************


BARDID: NC-2018-0137
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:40:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE GASTON
NearestCityorTown: HENRICO
County: NORTHAMPTON
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
operator was "feeling out" a family member's jet ski.  Operator had not completed any boating education classes and was not familiar with operating any type of vessel.  Operator was attempting to complete a left turn in a cove with several boat docks in the vicinity.  Operator did not start to make the turn under power.  This caused operator to panic when the vessel did not respond.  Operator incorrectly added power at the wrong times throughout the prolonged turn.  The maneuver put the jet ski in line with a boat dock.  Operator jumped off the jet ski to avoid injury, and due to the momentum created throughout the turn, the jet ski collided with a boat dock.

Vessel 1 operator was issued a citation for boating safety education violation

***********************end of report********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0139
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:35:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: MOORESVILLE
County: IREDELL
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 08/12/2018 at approximately 14:30, operator of vessel 1 and his passenger along with operator v2 and her passenger were traveling in the main channel of lake norman near channel marker 17.  Both operators were traveling in a line.  Around that time, a large wake arose and caused both operators to make corrections.  

At that point, vessel 2 made a left turn thus causing vessel 1 to make corrections to avoid a collision.  Due to the wake, driver inexperience and being at a close proximity, vessel 1 struck vessel 2 on the port side at the stern of the vessel.  

At that point, Operator1 trying to avoid the collision made a sharp left turn causing vessel 1 to strike vessel 2 as well as striking vessel 2 passenger ejecting him into the water.  At that point Operator1 jumped in the water to render aid and passing boaters stopped to assist. V2 occupant1 was brought to queens landing dock in mooresville where fire and ems were on scene.  He was at that time transported to cmc hospital to be treated for broken ribs and a severely injured spleen which was later discovered.

Damage to both vessels fiberglass and molding to include fiberglass damage and damage to the seat handle, seat assembly bracket and seat stay on vessel 2.  On vessel 1, fiberglass damage to front right side as well as damage to the gunwale molding side and gunwale inner.

******************end of report********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0140
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-09-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE WYLIE
NearestCityorTown: CHARLOTTE
County: MECKLENBURG
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Other
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
OtherAccidentCause: Off throttle steering loss
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On sunday, september 02, 2018 at approximately 18:20, officer and i responded to a report of a possible boat incident from fireboat 38 of the charlotte fire department.  Two pwc' had collided with property damage only property on lake wylie. 

Vessel #1 had no damage.  Vessel #2 had damage to the port/left side, a cracked lower hull, and a broken hatch located forward of the steering controls. 

Vessel #1's operator stated that he left the shoreline behind the sandbar, on the north carolina side and traveled southwest out towards the channel and down the river.  When he saw vessel #2's port side, he let off the throttle and tried to turn to avoid a collision.  He stated  "i realized that by letting off the throttle, i lost my steering capability, but i just panicked”.

Vessel #2's operator stated he was traveling south down the river behind the sandbar at idle speed when vessel #1 hit his port/left side. 

The captain of fire boat 38, which was at the sandbar on patrol, said he jumped in the water to make sure that both operators where ok.  The captain stated both operators had on uscg approved pfds.  Two firemen on board said they saw the whole thing happen.  Both firemen stated that vessel #2 was stopped or barely moving when vessel #1 ran over vessel #2 just forward of the steering controls from the port/left side sending the pwc almost completely under water as vessel # 1 rode across the top of it.

When we arrived on scene, we observed damage to vessel #2.  We collected statements from witnesses and each operator.  The operator of vessel #1 was charged with operating a motorboat or vessel on the waters of the state in a reckless manner so as to endanger life, limb, or property gs 75a-10(a).  He operated contrary to navigational rules as he was the give way vessel. 

Both pwcs involved had their required safety equipment.  Since the operator of vessel # 1 stated he started drinking alcohol because of “nerves were tore up” immediately after the incident, it is inconclusive whether or not alcohol was a factor.


************end of report*********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0141
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 02:16:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE WYLIE
NearestCityorTown: CHARLOTTE
County: MECKLENBUURG
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Revised narrative 8/9/18 (summary includes toxicology and medical examiner results).

On sunday june 24, 2018 at approximately 2:16am, a single vessel incident occurred near the sandbar area on lake wylie in mecklenburg county. The vessel was a 21-foot tracker fishing barge pontoon with a 50-horsepower outboard motor. The vessel was owned and being operated by operator. According to the three passengers onboard at the time of the incident, operator stepped away from the steering console and went overboard while the vessel was underway. 

Mecklenburg county communications received an emergency call for assistance at approximately 2:16am. The caller told the dispatcher that an individual had gone overboard the pontoon boat on lake wylie and was missing. The individual who went overboard was the owner and operator of the vessel operator. At the time of the incident, there were four total occupants onboard the vessel.
 
Wildlife law enforcement officer received a call from the north carolina wildlife resources commission''s communication center at 3:00am.  Officer1 was advised that a boater had gone overboard a vessel and was now missing on lake wylie. Officer1 immediately notified officer 2 and began patrolling to copperhead island boating access area on lake wylie. Officer1 and officer 2 launched a patrol vessel and arrived on scene at approximately 4:40am. Once on scene, Officer1 and Officer2 met two other offficers with the charlotte-mecklenburg police department. Officers were standing by with the victim''s now anchored pontoon boat, as well as, the remaining three occupants of the vessel. Officer1 and Officer2 obtained statements from each witness.

According to all three passengers, they had been anchored on the sandbar area since the afternoon of saturday, 06/23/2018. Each witness stated that they had been drinking. Subject1 stated that he pulled the anchor.  According to Subject1 and Subject2, they began to leave the sandbar between approximately the hours of 12:30am-1:00am. Each witness stated that operator was operating the vessel as he navigated away from the sandbar heading towards southpoint boating access area. Each witness stated that operator stood up and walked away from the steering console while the vessel was underway. They described the vessel as travelling at a slow rate of speed. Subject1 described the vessel as travelling 15-20 miles per hour. Subject1 and Subject2 stated that operator went over the front port (left) side of the vessel, while Subject2 stated that operator went overboard on the back starboard (right) portion of the vessel. Subject1 was seated in a lawn chair on the front starboard (right) side of the vessel at the time of the incident. Subject2 and Subject3 were seated in the rear port (left) side of the vessel at the time of the incident. Subject1 stated that he thought operator was reaching for a rope on the front port (left) side of the boat before he went overboard. 

Subject1 described operator as doing two cart-wheels as he went overboard. Subject2 described that it almost appeared as though operator intentionally went overboard. The witnesses stated that operator was wearing swim trunks and no personal flotation device. Subject1 stated that he killed the throttle on the boat engine after operator went overboard. Subject1 stated that he could briefly see operator swimming from a distance, while Subject2 said she stood up and saw the top of operator head before he went under water. Subject3 dove in the water and searched for operator. Subject1 called 911 for assistance. Subject1 and Subject3 threw out a bow (front) an...


BARDID: NC-2018-0143
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: KITTY HAWK BAK
NearestCityorTown: KILL DEVIL HILLS
County: DARE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday August 25, 2018 at approximately 9:30 pm, operator was navigating his vessel back into the basin at the Avalon boating access area in Kitty Hawk Bay when his propeller struck a submerged rope that became entangled causing significant damage to his propeller and lower unit.  He was able to get his vessel to the dock and retrieve it from the water.  Alcohol was not involved in this incident and PFDs were available but not worn by any of the occupants of the vessel.

***************END OF REPORT*****************


BARDID: NC-2018-0145
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-09-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:50:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: HIGH ROCK LAKE
NearestCityorTown: ROCKWELL
County: ROWAN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 2nd, 2018 at approximately 6:50pm a boating incident occurred. The incident occurred approximately 100 yards to the south of the mouth of crane creek on high rock lake. The vessel was a 20-foot 2002 weeres pontoon with a 50 horse power yamaha outboard motor. The boat had a starboard-side console  and was operated by operator. There were seven passengers onboard. One of the passengers, identified as victim, voluntarily jumped overboard and went missing.

The seven individuals had been on high rock lake for a good portion of the day. They were traveling from swearing creek to tamarac marina. Everyone onboard estimated the boat was traveling between 10-20 miles per hour. The pontoon was traveling south in the main channel of high rock lake.  As the pontoon was passing the mouth of crane creek, victim jumped out of the pontoon. The passengers stated he stood up handed his hat and sunglasses to one of the passengers and stated “hey yall, watch this.” 

Victim was standing in front of the operators console on the right side of the vessel facing the left side of the vessel.  He jumped backwards out of the right side of the vessel. The operator stated that after victim hit the water he slowed the vessel and turned towards victim. Once the operator turned the vessel he stated that he saw victim''s arms and legs flailing in the water as if he was struggling to swim. The operator headed towards victim as fast as he could. Right after the vessel began to head towards victim, the operator stated that victim went under water and was not seen again. Everyone onboard the vessel stated that victim was not wearing a pfd. Several of the passengers stated that victim was a strong swimmer.

Officer and i were first on scene. We arrived at 7:00pm. As Officer and i approached the boat, the passengers on board were pointing to the north saying that he went down over there. Officer and i went to the location where the passengers were pointing and threw out a marker buoy.

After gathering all of the statements, Officer drove the pontoon to southmont access area while i followed in our patrol boat. Sergeant and officer transported the operator to southmont access area.

A search was initiated for victim by millers ferry fire department at approximately 7:30pm on september 2nd, 2018 and continued until midnight. Millers ferry fire department, rowan rescue squad, and north carolina wildlife enforcement officers resumed searching for victim on monday, september 3rd, 2018 at 07:00 am. The search continued until 7:30pm when millers ferry fire department called off the search.
On september 4th, 2018, i received a call from the rowan county communications center at 8:42 am. They stated that a private individual saw what they thought was a body floating in front of their dock on high rock lake. I responded to calvert road and found what appeared to be the body of victim on the shore at 9:36 am. The body was located at latitude 35.6982 and longitude -80.2645. The rowan county rescue squad transported the body to the salisbury medical examiners office where it was positively identified as victim by his family.

Victim jumped off of a moving vessel, was not wearing a pfd, and was under the influence of an impairing substance (alcohol).  Alcohol was a major contributing factor in this incident. According to several passengers onboard and victim''s family, he was a strong swimmer. No charges have been filed against anyone involved in this incident.


BARDID: NC-2018-0146
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE WYLIE
NearestCityorTown: STEEDE CREEK
County: MECKLENBURG
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Inadequate onboard navigation lights
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 8/25/18 at approximately 9:00pm, a boating incident occurred on lake wylie one mile south from buster boyd bridge in charlotte, nc.  Vessel 1 was a 21-foot, 2002 malibu wake setter boat with a 325hp inboard motor.   Vessel 2 was a 21-foot, 2015 sea hunt center console boat with a 150 hp outboard engine. 

Vessel 1 was heading home traveling north one mile from buster boyd bridge on lake wylie.  Vessel 1 was travelling approximately 20 miles per hour.  Vessel 1 had properly working bow lights, but not the stern light.   Vessel 2 was traveling south at approximately 8-9 miles per hour from t-bones bar and grill. Vessel 1 and vessel 2 collided resulting in damage to both vessel's rear port side.  The water temperature was 85 degrees with an air temperature of 83 degrees.

The operator of vessel 2 stated he saw an amber light approaching straight toward them.  The amber light appeared to not shift its course, so he turned to the starboard side at the last moment to avoid a collision.  The operator of vessel 1 stated by the time she saw the other vessel, it was too close.  She immediately turned the vessel to the starboard side.  Both operators operated correctly to the rules of the road by turning to the starboard side to avoid a collision.  However, both operators due to not having a proper lookout saw the vessels too late and collided. 
     
Vessel 1 had damage to the rear port side underneath the water line.  Damage included a long horizontal gouge in the fiberglass.  The damaged fiberglass is approximately three feet long and the scuff marks above the damaged fiberglass fades towards the end of the stern.  Vessel 2 has scuff marks on the chrome rub rail.  The scuff marks on the rub rail indicate paint transferred from vessel 1's hull.  The fractured fiberglass and chipped white paint were caused by impact from vessel 1's rear port side.   Hair line cracks in paint can be visible at the stern near the port side eye ring.  The most noticeable impact was toward the end of the rear port side on the gunwale.  Damage to vessel 2 was approximately fifteen inches long.

Operator of vessel 1 was charged with operating a motorboat between sunset and sunrise without exhibiting proper navigation lights. Gs 75a-6.

*************************end of report*******************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0147
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-09-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 05:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: YADKIN RIVER
NearestCityorTown: SPENCER
County: ROWAN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Collision with floating object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On wednesday september 5, 2018 at approximately 5:30 am, Operator1 launched his vessel with passenger.  They launched from yorkhill boat landing into the yadkin river to go goose hunting.  As they headed down river, they struck a log.  The log came out of the water and struck occupant in the hand and head causing injuries.

After launching from yorkhill boat landing on the davidson county side of the yadkin river, Operator1 and occupant navigated downstream on the rowan county side of the river at approximately 10-20 mph.  They were heading out to goose hunt.  The weather was clear, but visibility was low due to night time navigation.  The water was congested with debris such as log jams and brush that congregated under the i-85 bridge.  As they navigated under the i-85 bridge, Operator1 struck a log with the starboard bow of his vessel.   This warped that area of the gunwale and broke loose the trolling motor from its mount.   Occupant saw the log just prior to contact.  He was seated towards the bow of the vessel.  He threw his left hand up to block his face as he saw the vessel making contact with the log.  Once the vessel made contact with the log, a portion of it struck occupant in the left hand, left side of his face, and head knocking him unconscious.  He then fell inside the boat.  Operator1 then turned the vessel around and went back to the yorkhill boat landing.   He transported occupant to the hospital. 

Occupant suffered injuries to his left hand losing the tip of his left middle finger and ring finger.  Occupant also suffered a fractured left cheek bone and left temporal bone.  Damages to the vessel included a warped starboard bow gunwale and dismounted trolling motor.  Alcohol and drugs were not a factor in this incident.  Improper lookout and limited visibility due to night time conditions were contributing factors to the incident.  This portion of the river has a large amount of debris in it as well.


***********************end of report*********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0148
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BOGUE SOUND
NearestCityorTown: MOREHEAD CITY
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On Wednesday June 13, 2018 around 9:30 am, Operator2 was operating his 1991 Beneteau 50 Sailboat, the “Carribean”.  He was docked at Portside Marina to refuel.  When leaving the dock, he put his vessel in reverse and hit the vessel “Sushi” that was docked on the adjacent side.  The Carribean's starboard stern left a deep scratch in the starboard bow of the "Sushi".  At that point, Operator2 tried to redock the Carribean but got swept in the current.  The tide swept him into the stern of another vessel that was docked straight ahead of him, a 25'' SeaVee.  According to witnesses, the impact of that collision left a scratch along the entire starboard side of the Carribean.  Eventually, Operator2 was able to dock the Carribean across from where he was originally docked.  The damage on the Sushi was estimated to be $20,000.  No damage was found on the SeaVee vessel that was struck.  No injuries were reported.  Information about the damage to the Carribean is currently pending.

**************************END OF REPORT***************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0150
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 03:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BOGUE SOUND
NearestCityorTown: MOREHEAD CITY
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with commercial vessel
AccidentEvent2: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 11, 2018 around 3:00 am, Tow Boat US Captain was returning from Swansboro and headed east on the intracoastal waterway in Bogue Sound.  He was just passing Spooner's Creek when he saw a flashing light in the distance.  As he got closer, he could see that it was a vessel so he approached to ensure everything was ok.  As Captain approached he saw the vessel was a 21' Carolina Skiff (v2) with 4 people on board.  He and his friends had been cruising around Bogue Sound lost and were trying to find their way back to Waterway RV in Swansboro. 

According to Captain, he pulled up to the vessel and asked if they needed help.  Operator2 told Captain he was lost and trying to find his way back to Swansboro.  Captain advised him that due to hazards in Bogue sound and Operator2's mental state, (he could tell that Operator2 had been drinking) he would take them to the nearest dock and the four of them could take an uber home.  According to Captain, Operator2 became irate and started to threaten him and yell obscenities and tried to board his vessel 3 times.  At that point, Operator1 backed away and called the US Coast Guard.  While he was on the phone with the Coast Guard, Captain said Operator2 placed his vessel on plane and rammed the bow of his boat into the Captain's bow.  At that point, Captain backed away and tried to get away from Operator2.  Operator2 followed him and so Captain managed to run him aground in Bogue Sound.  Captain notified the Coast Guard of what had happened and a vessel from the Emerald Isle Coast Guard Station was sent to locate them. 

According to Operator2 and his passengers, his vessel was stuck on a sandbar during the whole interaction with Captain who stayed about 20 feet from his vessel.  After Operator2 asked Captain for directions, Captain left and Operator2’s friend pushed off and they continued west in Bogue Sound.  At no point did the vessels make contact.  They eventually wandered into Bogue Sound where they became lost again and contacted the Coast Guard for assistance.  The Coast Guard was able to locate their vessel and around 5:30 a.m. that morning, Operator2 was arrested for operating a vessel while impaired.

After investigating, Captain's vessel had damage to the hull collar on the portside and front of the bow.  However, there was no damage to Operator2's vessel.  The damage to Captain's vessel was estimated to be $20,210.00.  Operator2 was arrested and charged with N.C.G.S 75a-10 (b1)(1): operating a vessel while impaired.  Civil claims against Operator2 are pending.


******************************END OF REPORT******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0151
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: NEUSE RIVER
NearestCityorTown: NEW BERN
County: CRAVEN
WaterConditions: Calm
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Congested waters
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 5,2018 at approximately 12:00 pm, vessel 1 was struck on its starboard side sustaining damage to the fiberglass.  Vessel 1 was tied to a dock when vessel 2 struck vessel 1.  The operator of vessel 2 was trying to maneuver inside the marina when the bow of vessel 2 struck vessel 1. The dock master called New Bern PD after the operator of vessel 2 ignored the dock master's instructions that he had struck a vessel.  I went out an investigated the incident and located the operator and issued citations for the incident.

********************END OF REPORT*****************


BARDID: NC-2018-0152
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BOGUE SOUND
NearestCityorTown: NEWPORT
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On 8-24-18 at approximately 3:52 pm, i received information from raleigh dispatch that a possible boating incident had occurred near bogue sound.  At 4:02 pm, i called subject to discuss what had occurred.   Subject reported that his docked vessel was damaged due to the wake of a large yacht.  For purposes of this report, the yacht, a 52' hatteras, will be referred to as vessel one.  

Also for purposes of this report, Subject's docked 20' kencraft will be referred to as vessel two.  Subject reported that he actually saw vessel one pass by and create the large wake that caused vessel two to collide with the dock it was moored next to.  Subject reported that after his vessel collided with the dock, he boarded his vessel in order to chase down vessel one in an attempt to get the operator's attention.  

Subject reported he was able to get close enough to vessel one to see that vessel one's documented name was hay-z-dayz.  Subject reported he could not get the operator of vessel one to stop the large vessel, but he was able to take some photographs of the yacht.   I called up the us coast guard and requested their assistance in locating vessel one, which Subject had reported was headed towards morehead city.   I also drove to beaufort and put my patrol boat on the water in an effort to intercept vessel one.  While i was on the water, us coast guard staff advised me that they heard oriental marina communicating with hay-z-dayz (vessel one) over the radio.  I called up oriental marina and was advised that hay-z-dayz (vessel one) did indeed just arrive to oriental marina.  I then patrolled by vehicle to oriental marina in pamlico county.  Sgt. joined me.  Upon arrival to oriental marina, i quickly located vessel one which was docked but appeared unoccupied.  With help from oriental marina staff, i was able to locate the operator of vessel one.  

Operator1 was eating dinner along with one other individual who was a passenger of vessel one.  Operator1 reported he was the one operating when the incident occurred although he reported that he did not know anybody's property had been damaged from his vessel's wake.  He reported he was not going fast enough nor creating a wake large enough with his vessel to cause damage to another's property.  He reported he saw a man on another vessel photographing his vessel but found it unusual.  Operator1 reported he had been hired to drive vessel one from carolina beach to maryland.  He reported leaving carolina beach at 9:04 am.  On the evening of 8/26/18, i met with Subject to observe and photograph the damage to vessel two and the dock it was moored to.  I observed an area on the port (left) side of vessel two on the outside corner of the gunwale where the fiberglass was badly damaged.  I also observed damage to the rub-rail on the port side where it had separated from the fiberglass.  I also observed a fiberglass scratch on the port side of vessel two near the stern.  Subject walked me out to the dock that he reported was damaged.  I observed a 6 x 6 board that appeared to have been knocked loose from the dock.  Subject reported this was where vessel two impacted the dock.  I spoke with the carteret county da's office and he advised that i should not file any charges at this point.  Nothing further at this time.


***********************end of report************


BARDID: NC-2018-0153
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CORE CREEK CANAL
NearestCityorTown: BEAUFORT
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 8-27-18 at approximately 3:10 pm, i received information from raleigh dispatch over the radio regarding a boating incident that had occurred two days prior.  I arrived at seagate marina at approximately 3:45 pm.  Subject showed me where he reported his vessel, a 26' century, was docked when the incident occurred.  For purposes of this report, subject's vessel will be referred to as vessel one.  Subject reported that another vessel became entangled with the outrigger lines on his docked vessel and broke off the starboard (right) side outrigger.  I later found out that the second vessel was a 20' carolina skiff.  For purposes of this report, operator2's vessel will be referred to as vessel two.  Subject reported that although the incident occurred on 8-25-18, he first noticed the damage around 5:30 am on 8-26-18.  He reported that he found his broken outrigger on the dock that his vessel was moored to.  Subject reported that around 5:00 pm on 8-26-18, he spoke with seagate marina.  

Subject asked employee if she knew what had happened to his vessel.  Subject reported that employee told him that operator2 was involved in damaging his vessel.  Subject also reported that as he was loading vessel one on his boat trailer, operator2, who lives near seagate marina shouted from a distance that he was the one that did it.  After subject showed me where the incident occurred, i photographed the broken outrigger which was in the back of his truck.  While doing this, operator2 walked up to me and identified himself.  He told me that he had called and reported the incident.  I told him i would speak with him after i finished speaking with subject.  Subject then showed me his vessel which was in a nearby parking area.  I photographed the broken outrigger base on the starboard side of the t-top of vessel one.  I also observed and photographed broken outrigger lines attached to the vessel.  I then drove to operator2's camper to speak with him about the incident.  He also walked me out to the dock where the incident occurred.  From there we went to a nearby residence where he showed me his vessel on a boat-lift.  I took several photographs of his vessel.  I observed a fishing pole which was in a rod-holder attached to the t-top of vessel two.  Operator2 reported that the fishing pole was actually what came into contact with the outrigger lines of vessel one.  

Operator2 reported that he was undocking his vessel when the incident occurred.  He reported that he could feel it when the rod became entangled with the outrigger lines.  Operator2 reported that it was his opinion that subject should not have left his outriggers in the position that he did.  When the incident occurred, the outriggers of vessel one were extending beyond its stern.  Operator2 reported that there was also a steady wind from the north which was blowing the outrigger lines of vessel one towards vessel two as operator2 was undocking.  Operator2 reported that after he realized what had happened, he turned his vessel around and attempted to retrieve as much of the broken outriggers belonging to vessel one as he could.  After speaking with operator2 about the incident, i obtained a written statement from employee who was a witness to the incident.  Employee did report that she thought operator2 was operating his vessel too close to vessel one.  I spoke with carteret county da's office and he advised me to not file any charges at this point.  Nothing further at this time.


***********************end  of report*******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0154
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2018-09-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE TILLERY
NearestCityorTown: NORWOOD
County: STANLY
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On sunday september 2, 2018 around 7:30 pm, a boating incident occurred on lake tillery in the main channel.  The vessel is a 20 foot 1988 shadow bass boat.  The operator stated that they were traveling around 45 mph heading back towards the norwood access when the vessel struck a submerged object.  The vessel sank up to the bow which stayed afloat approximately 2 feet above the water line.  A passer by was able to tow the vessel to the shore line where it was tied off.

The operator and his passenger were traveling north on lake tillery on their bass boat heading towards the norwood access.  Operator stated that as they were traveling around 45 mph the vessel struck a submerged object which caused three large holes in the bottom of the vessel.  The vessel rapidly sank up to the bow which protruded approximately 2 feet above the water line.  The three holes were located in the center of the vessel ranging from 5 inches to 12 inches in diameter.  Both of the occupants had their life saving devices on and were unharmed.  A fellow boater and his wife where able to tie up to the disabled vessel and tow it to the shore line where it was tied off to a tree.  

All safety equipment was accounted for.  Alcohol and/or drugs was not a factor in this incident.  No one was charged as a result of this boating incident.  It appears that this incident was caused by the vessel striking an unseen object that was just below the water's surface which caused 3 large holes in the bottom of the vessel.  No damage was done to any other vessel or property of another.  No other witnesses came forward pertaining to this incident.


****************************end of report**********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0155
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: NORTH TOPSAIL
County: ONSLOW
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator was operating a PWC on the ICW at approximately 17:30 on August 16, 2018.  He had 2 additional passengers on board.  Operator was operating north on the ICW and was changing course to travel back south on the ICW.  Due to operator inexperience and near full capacity weight on the PWC, the PWC started to roll to the port side.   All occupants attempted to stay on top of the PWC and the PWC then capsized.  While capsized, the PWC engine compartment flooded causing property damage.


***************************END OF REPORT*************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0156
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:13:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: SNEADS FERRY
County: ONSLOW
WaterConditions: Calm
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Congested waters
AccidentCause3: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 25, 2018 at approximately 2:10 pm, Operator1 was operating a Yamaha SX210 (Vessel 1) at an estimated speed of 20-25mph, on the ICW.  He was operating his vessel southward on the ICW angling towards the starboard side (inland side) of the channel towing two passengers on a tube with a 53-foot tow rope.  While approaching a bend in the ICW, there were several other vessels operating in the same direction.  Due to the congestion, Operator1 reduced speed to an estimated 5-10mph and steered his vessel to the starboard side closer to the edge of the channel. 

Operator2 was operating a Tidewater 2000 (Vessel 2) Northbound on the ICW at the same time.  After exiting the bend, Operator2 continued operating Northbound at an estimated speed of 25mph.  When entering the congested area, he reduced his speed to an estimated 10 mph.  He was operating near the center of the channel and steered his vessel to pass Vessel 1 on his port side.  When he was parallel with Vessel 1, he observed the tube come out from behind the vessel and he immediately reduced his throttle to neutral.  

At that time, Operator2 observed he was going to collide with the tube and passengers.   Operator2 stated to me that he then pulled out the key to shut off his engine.  Immediately after that, the bow of vessel 2 struck the tube and both passengers resulting in contusions to tuber1’s left leg and lacerations to tuber2’s head and shins.  

After the impact, Operator2 immediately rendered aid.  His passenger jumped into the water to assist.  Operator1 also jumped in and one of his passengers.  The tubers were transported by ambulance to Onslow Memorial Hospital and released.  Tuber2 received stitches in the forehead and bandages to the shins.


*******************END OF REPORT************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0157
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:50:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: HIGH ROCK LAKE
NearestCityorTown: SOUTHMONT
County: DAVIDSON
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
AccidentCause3: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 8/25/2018 at approximately 3:45pm, a boating incident occurred on high rock lake.  It occurred .1 miles east of scout rd in cotton grove, nc.  The vessel was a 10-foot bombardier personal watercraft (pwc) with a 85 hp jet drive motor. Operator1 was thrown off his pwc due to crossing another vessel's wake and broke his leg.  

Operator1 was riding his pwc around in circles to burn the rest of his fuel in the cove near southmont access area on high rock lake.  He was riding at high speeds when he crossed over the wake of another pwc and was thrown off his pwc.  Operator1 was thrown off toward the front left side (port side) of his pwc.  His left foot was stuck in the footwell of the pwc causing his lower leg to twist and break near his ankle.  Operator1 then swam back to his pwc and proceeded to operate it back to southmont access area.  He then contacted 911.  Personnel from southmont fire department and davidson county emergency management services arrived shortly after to assist him.  Operator1 was taken to the hospital in lexington, nc for x-rays and was scheduled for reconstructive surgery on his left tibia on 8/31/2018.  Operator1 was wearing his type iii us coast guard approved life jacket.  He had the cut off safety lanyard attached to his life jacket which functioned properly turning the pwc off once operator1 was ejected.  He had a charged fire extinguisher on board.  There was no damage to operator1's pwc.  The water temperature was 80 degrees with air temperature of 90 degrees.

Based on operator1's statement, the incident was caused by operator1's pwc hitting a wake abruptly at high speeds after a sharp turn, which threw him off the pwc.  Operator1's left foot then got stuck in the footwell of the pwc and his left tibia was twisted and broke.  No charges were filed as a result of this incident.  Drugs and alcohol were not a contributing factor.  Operator1's daughter was riding a pwc nearby and witnessed the incident.


****************************end of report**********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0158
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: FALLS LAKE
NearestCityorTown: CREEDMOOR
County: WAKE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On saturday august 25, 2018 at approximately 1645, operator was towing a young woman behind his motorboat on an inflatable tube near the ledge rock access area on falls lake in wake county.  As he headed north, the young woman fell off the tube.   Operator turned the vessel around facing south to go back and pick up the young woman who had fallen off.  Once he turned around, he stopped the boat.  At that time, operator's grandson, jumped off the port side of the stern.   At this time, he began to swim around the stern of the vessel.  As he swam to the starboard side, his left leg was struck by the propeller.  The slowly moving vessel gradually kept circling to the north.  By the time that operator had realized grandson was injured, he was at the port side of the bow on the boat.  Once he saw victim was injured, they were able to get him aboard the vessel.  They were met at ledge rock access area by the fire department and ems.   Victim suffered a severe laceration to his upper left leg just past his knee.  He was treated at duke hospital where he received a large amount of stitches and was released on august 28, 2018. 

After investigating this incident, there were no charges brought against the operator.   We found no evidence of any foul play or alcohol and all safety equipment and boating laws were followed.  The proper pfd requirements were met as well.


*********************end of report*********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0160
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-09-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: NE CAPE FEAR RIVER
NearestCityorTown: CASTLE HAYNE
County: PENDER
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 11, 2018 at approximately 1630 hours I, NC Wildlife Enforcement Officer, received a call from my dispatch in reference to a sailboat crashing in to a powerline on the Northeast Cape Fear river near Castle Hayne, NC.  I arrived on scene in my patrol boat on the Northeast Cape Fear river adjacent to the Riverside Park located at the end of Old Bridgesite Rd at approximately 1800 hours.  Underneath the main powerline running over the river I observed 2 lines that were hanging down over the river closer than normal to the water's surface and one line that was cut and hanging down into the river.  The line that was in the water was a Duke Energy Progress neutral line, and the line that was hanging only a few feet above the water level was a Sprint fiber optic line, and the line that was hanging several yards above the water line was a Spectrum fiber optic line.  Vessel 1 was down river a few hundred yards to the north of the damaged lines anchored in the river.  

After assisting Duke Energy Progress linemen reattach the two ends of their neutral line, I patrolled over to Vessel 1 and interviewed the owner and operator.  According to Operator, He was operating Vessel 1 at approximately 1630 hours on September 11, 2018 when the accident occurred.  Operator said that he was standing at the helm of Vessel 1 cruising at a speed of less than 10 mph heading up river in a southerly direction in the middle of the channel when the approximately 60' tall mast of Vessel 1 impacted 3 lines spanning across the NE Cape Fear River from east to west.  The mast of Vessel 1 sustained minor damage including a broken stay cable.  The impact from Vessel 1's mast broke a Duke Energy Progress neutral cable line and left two fiber optic cables hanging loosely over the river's surface.   Operator sustained no injuries during the collision.  After the collision was over, Operator cruised back down river and anchored up Vessel 1 a few hundred yards away from the powerline.  Duke Energy Progress Lineman estimated the cost to repair the damage to the Duke Energy Progress neutral line to be around $5000.00.

******************END OF REPORT******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0162
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-09-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: MOYOCK CREEK
NearestCityorTown: MOYOCK
County: CURRITUCK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was on moyock creek heading downstream towards northwest river.  Vessel 2 was traveling upstream on moyock creek from the northwest river.  Vessel 1 was operating at a high rate of speed, according to witnesses, and failed to avoid a collision  with vessel 2. 

Vessel 1 impacted the port/bow of vessel 2 causing vessel 1 to turn starboard abruptly and ejected the operator into the woods on southern shore where  it came to rest.  Vessel 2 had damage to the port/bow deck and a punctured pontoon.  Vessel 2 picked up the operator of vessel 1 and carried him to shingle landing boat ramp.  Currituck county sheriffs office was contacted and responded.  Currituck county notified the ncwrc of the incident.  Operator of vessel 1 was arrested and charged with o.w.i and careless and negligent operation.

*************end of report****************


BARDID: NC-2018-0163
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: HOLDEN BEACH
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On august 17, 2018, at approximately 1:00 p.m., operator1 was operating a rented 21 ft. Carolina skiff, which he had rented from fantasea boat rentals near holden beach.   According to operator1, he was returning the vessel after his rental time had expired and was trying to dock the vessel at the rental company's docks.  A

s he was attempting to dock in one of the boat slips, he was directed to dock in a different location.  Operator1 then began maneuvering around to dock in the new location.  When he turned, the current of the waterway coupled with the wake of passing vessels caused the port stern of the carolina skiff to contact the outboard motor of another boat which was docked at the rental location.  The impact resulted in a cracked cowling on the starboard yamaha 200 outboard of operator1on's 29 ft. 2012 contender boat.  This incident occurred at slow speed and alcohol and drugs did not contribute.  The vessel was equipped with all required safety equipment.

*********************end of report*******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0164
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:50:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE JAMES
NearestCityorTown: MARION
County: MCDOWELL
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
ON JULY 21, 2018 AT AROUND 19:50 HOURS, VESSEL NUMBER 2 WAS EXITING A BOAT SLIP AT BLACK BEAR MARINA ON LAKE JAMES.  VESSEL NUMBER 2 BACKED OUT OF THE SLIP, PUT THE VESSEL IN FORWARD MOTION, THEN STRUCK VESSEL NUMBER 1 ON THE STARBOARD SIDE.  VESSEL NUMBER 1 WAS DOCKED IN THE BOAT SLIP NEXT TO VESSEL NUMBER 2 ON IT'S PORT SIDE.  VESSEL NUMBER 1 SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE SWIM PLATFORM, SWIMMER HANDRAIL AND SEVERAL DEEP SCRAPES AND GOUGES TO THE FIBERGLASS AND HULL.  VESSEL NUMBER 1 WAS UNOCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.  THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO REPORT.

*****************END OF REPORT**************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0165
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-09-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: OCEAN ISLE BEACH
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2018, THERE WAS A BOATING INCIDENT ON THE ICW NEAR OCEAN ISLE BEACH.  V1 OPERATED  COLLIDED INTO THE PORT STERN OF V2.  BOTH VESSELS WERE TRAVELING WEST ON THE ICW TOWARD OCEAN ISLE MARINA WHEN V1 ATTEMPTED TO PASS VESSEL 2 ON THE PORT SIDE.  V1 HIT THE WAKE OF A PASSING BOAT WHICH IN TURN SHIFTED HIS VESSEL TO THE RIGHT CAUSING A COLLISION WITH THE STERN OF V2.  THERE WERE NO INJURIES DURING THIS INCIDENT AND ALCOHOL WAS NOT A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

*********************
PLEASE NOTE:  THE PASSING VESSEL WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THIS INCIDENT, ONLY VESSEL 1 AND 2 WERE INVOLVED.


***********************END OF REPORT************************


BARDID: NC-2018-0166
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-10-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:49:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE TOWNSEND
NearestCityorTown: GREENSBORO
County: GUILFORD
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Equipment failure
EquipmentFailure: Seat broke loose
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On 2 October 2018, at approximately 1300hrs, it was reported to Wildlife Enforcement Officer that there was a possible drowning/boating incident at Lake Townsend in Guilford County, NC.   Wildlife Enforcement Officers responded to the incident at that time from Butner in Granville County, NC.  Officers arrived at the Lake Townsend Marina at approximately 1445hrs to assist with the recovery and investigation.  On scene were Greensboro Police Department, North Carolina State Highway Patrol Aviation and various local and surrounding county fire/EMS departments.  Through interviews the following sequence of events were compiled. 

That morning Operator was operating his boat on Lake Townsend alone and was catfish fishing/noodling.  He met his fellow fisherman, who was operating his own boat sometime that morning and talked about fishing and meeting up at some point later.  Subject stated that Operator had almost fallen out of his vessel earlier while seated in the seat located on the starboard side, catching himself on the motor with his foot.  Subject also indicated that Operator did not have a life jacket on when he last saw him.  Subject stated he went to another area of the lake to fish and when Operator did not come he went looking for him.  Subject stated that he went to the marina and did not locate Operator there. 

While Subject was looking for Operator, another person was walking on the Blue Herron trail that runs adjacent to the lake.  Subject2 called Guilford County 911 at approximately 11:50hrs stating that he “CAN SEE A FISHING BOAT DRIFTING” and “CAN SEE SUBJ TRYING TO TREAD WATER BUT DON'T THINK HE CAN SWIM.” Goodman later stated to 911 that he “CAN NO LONGER SEE SUBJ ABOVE WATER” and then reported not being able to see Operator anymore.

At the same time Subject2 was on the phone with 911 an additional call came in from Subject3, indicating that they “HEARD SOMEONE YELLING HELP.”  She stated that her husband searched the woods around her home but did not find anything.  

Upon arrival at Lake Townsend Marina, Officer went with fire rescue and they showed him where Operator boat had been located (36.1650/-79.7763), where the incident had occurred (36.1668/-79.7803) and where the seat, shoes and hat were located. The air temperature was approximately 80-degree Fahrenheit, water temperature was approximately 77-degrees Fahrenheit, water depth an average of 5 feet and the winds were light. Officer looked at the vessel that was already trailered and observed the following: -engine switch was in the “run” position -start chord was pulled out and locked (later was told that fire/ems attempted to start vessel and then towed it to marina), throttle was in the “neutral” position, -vessel had 1 type IV PFD, 1 adult PFD and charged fire extinguisher in console on port side of vessel, seat mount pole on starboard side of vessel was broken Greensboro Police Department Detective L.D. was completing a missing person's report and had already completed death notification to the Operator family prior to our arrival. 

Based on interviews, witness accounts and examination of the vessel it is my belief that the seat on the rear starboard portion of the vessel broke contributing to Operator falling overboard.  Subject stated that the last time he saw Operator, he was not wearing a life jacket. On 4 Oct 18, the victim's body was recovered by fire/rescue personnel. 

*******************END OF REPORT*********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0167
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2018-08-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: DENVER
County: LINCOLN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
A 1996 bombardier seadoo exploded in the water on lake norman in front of his residence at approximately 1230 hours on august 25, 2018.  Operator1 operating the seadoo without a lifejacket at idle speed and was approximately 10 feet away from his dock when the jet ski exploded ejecting him off the seadoo into the air approximately 10-15 feet.  Operator1 landed in the water facedown and was rescued from the water.  Operator1 was transported to carolinas medical center in charlotte, nc.  Operator1 was diagnosed with a broken back causing temporary paralysis of the lower limbs.  Officer and i arrived at approximately 1415 where the seadoo had been pulled from the water and placed on top of operator1's dock by the denver fire department. The seadoo was burned completely to the waterline.


*****************end of report*********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0168
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-10-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: PERQUIMANS RIVER
NearestCityorTown: HERTFORD
County: PERQUIMANS
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On October 17, 2018 at approximately 6:00 P.M., Operator and subject were test driving a boat on the Perquimans River near the mouth of Suttons Creek.  With not much boating experience on the Perquimans River, Operator ran the motor of the boat onto the shoal near Suttons Creek causing the vessel to take on water from the stern.  The vessel filled with water and held to the bottom in three foot of water.  The occupants of the vessel were rescued by an onlooker who had access to a vessel and took them back to Hertford Access Area.

There were no injuries in this incident.

**************END OF REPORT******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0169
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE TILLERY
NearestCityorTown: MT GILEAD
County: MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Inadequate onboard navigation lights
AccidentCause2: Alcohol
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 7/7/18 at approximately 22:00 pm, a boating incident occurred in the main channel of lake tillery. It happened about two miles northwest of the lake tillery dam and approximately one mile east of lilly''s bridge rd access area in montgomery county, nc. There were two vessels involved in the boating incident. Vessel 1 was a red and white 20-foot 6-inch, 2008 chaparral 210 ssi with a 270 hp inboard/outboard motor.  The owner/operator was operating vessel 1 at the time of the incident. His sister-in-law was sitting in front of the operator area on the starboard side in the bow of the boat at the time of the incident. Vessel 2 was a blue and white 21-foot, 1996 chris craft 21 concept with a 235 hp inboard/outboard motor. The operator was operating owner’s vessel at the time of the incident. His wife was in the passenger area on the port side of the vessel at the time of the incident. 

It appears that the incident occurred because vessel 1 was not displaying its navigation lights. The navigation lights not being on resulted in vessel 2 impacting vessel 1 on the starboard side. During the collision, operator1 was ejected from his boat. All people involved in the boat incident were transported to stanly co regional hospital in albemarle, nc where they were treated for their injuries and then released.

Operator1 and his sister-in-law v1 occupant were on vessel 1 and were in the main channel of lake tillery. Operator1 was operating vessel 1 and was in the process of heading back to his residence at the time of the incident. Operator1 was either stationary or moving at a very slow speed at the time of the incident. While operator1 was in the operator area of vessel 1, his vessel was struck on the starboard side right behind the operator area by the bow of vessel 2. During the incident, operator1 ended up in the water. Once he was in the water, he began swimming back towards the two vessels and then got onto vessel 1. While he was attempting to get onto vessel 1, it was taking on water and starting to capsize. He left vessel 1 and went towards vessel 2 so that he could get out of the water. V1 occupant climbed from vessel 1 and got onto vessel 2 before vessel 1 capsized. They were able to get onto vessel 2 shortly after the incident.  

Operator2 and his wife v2 occupant were on vessel 2 and had just finished eating dinner at riverwild restaurant on lake tillery in montgomery county, nc. He was operating vessel 2 and was headed north in the main channel of the lake. His destination was the mouth of the uwharrie river which is where his residence was located. Operator2 was operating vessel 2 at speed greater than no-wake speed. It was up on plane at the time of the incident. Operator2 and his wife were standing up behind the windshield. As operator2 was operating vessel 2, he collided with vessel 1 in the main channel of lake tillery.  Operator2 struck vessel 1 on the starboard side directly behind the operator area with the bow of his vessel.  Neither were thrown from vessel 2 during the incident.  

After the point of impact, vessel 2 traveled across the entire beam width of vessel 1.  As vessel 2 went across the top of vessel 1, the lower unit of the motor of vessel 2 hit the port side of vessel 1.  Once the vessels came to a rest, v2 subjects assisted v1 subjects onto vessel 2.  

OFficers did an observation of the vessels and assessed the damages to both vessels.  On v1 the operator console was broken away from its original mounted position.  They found the navigation light switch located on the console in the off position.  It would not stay in the on position.  It was in the neutral position and the switch was inoperable.  With the switch being inoperable, the lights would have not been operational.  The navigation switch was the first switch to the right of the steering wheel.  When they examined the bow lights, they removed the bulb which was still in contact and it did not have any damage to it.  They were unable to locate the stern light pole in the boat and were unable to determine if the pole was placed in the socket due to the socket being damaged.  They were able to determine that v1 was hit by v2 on the starboard side directly behind the operator area and v2 traveled across to the port side of v1 which is where it rested.  They were able to determine that v1 was going at a slow speed or was sitting still when it was struck.  They concluded that v2 was moving at a faster than no wake speed.  They were able to observe that v2 launched over v1 and landed in the water on the port side of v1.

Damages to v1 was estimated at $25,000.00.  On the starboard side there was significant damage to the hull near the operator area with a large hole in front of where the operator console had been mounted.  There were multiple cracks in the fiberglass hull on the starboard side.  Both windshields on the starboard and port side were busted out and removed from their original position.  Prop cut marks started on the starboard side and transferred to the upholstery and to the port side.  There was a large crack in the port side of the hull where the lower unit of v2 had come to rest after the point of impact.

Damages to v2 were estimated at $18,000.00. The bow of the vessel had significant damage and transfer marks from v1.  There were numerous scratches and gouges in the fiberglass in the bow of the boat.  The trim around the gunnel on the port side of the vessel was torn off in the bow of the boat.  The bow lights were crushed with no lens or bulb intact.  The steering wheel was completely broken off.  There were transfer marks from v1 on the prop and lower unit.

It appears that the incident occurred because v1 was not displaying its navigation lights.  This caused v2 to collide with v1.  V2 impacted v2 and travelled from the starboard side to the port side of v1 after the point of impact.  The boat incident caused operator1 to be ejected from v1.  No one else involved was ejected from either boat.  As a result of the incident, multiple subjects sustained injuries.  

Operator1 sustained facial lacerations to the right side of his head above his right eye, a concussion, and a right upper thigh contusion.  V1 occupant had a neck and back injury.  

Operator2 sustained a left leg contusion and a sternum fracture.  V2 occupant sustained a right ankle sprain and a concussion.  All subjects were treated and released by stanly co reg hospital in albemarle nc.  All safety equipment was accounted for on each vessel and pfds were not work during this incident.  

Alcohol and/or drugs were a contributing factor in this incident.  A blood sample was collected from operator1 and is pending examination by the nc sbi.  Operator1 has been charged with boating while impaired and careless and reckless operation.

****************end of report***************


BARDID: NC-2018-0170
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-31 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: NEUSE RIVER
NearestCityorTown: ORIENTAL
County: PAMLICO
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On Friday 8/31/2018 at 8:30 pm, Vessel 1 was going to go fishing for red drum in the Neuse River.  He started to notice water begininng to enter the boat.  He knew he put the plug in the vessel.  Once he noticed how much water was in V1, he got a life jacket and put it on and jumped in the water and swam to shore.  Upon pulling V1 out of the water, there was a small quarter inch hole in the bottom of the vessel.

No injuries with this incident.

*******************END OF REPORT**********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0171
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-10-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 04:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ATLANTIC OCEAN
NearestCityorTown: SOUTHPORT
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Inadequate onboard navigation lights
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On 10/05/2018 at approximately 4:30 am, vessel2 came into contact with vessel1 outside of the Southport Channel.  Operator2 was thrown from his vessel, but no one was injured in this incident.  Operator1 was operating her sailboat under mechanical propulsion during the time of the incident, while her husband was asleep below deck.  Operator1 had been sailing all night from Charleston South Carolina.  

Operator2 was accompanied by his son who was using a spot light to help navigate the water while it was dark on their way to go off shore fishing.  Operator2 stated his son would turn the spot light on for a few seconds at a time to help spot floating debris after the recent hurricane.  As they where traveling, Operator1’s son stated they saw Operator1's vessel at the last minute and yelled “Woah Woah” and Operator2 turned left to keep from hitting her vessel, but it was too late.  Both men stated the sail boat was not displaying any navigation lights.  

Operator2's vessel came into contact with the sailboat's right side and continued down the vessel to the stern.  At the moment of impact Operator2 was thrown from his vessel and into the water.  Operator2’s son reached over and cut the vessel's engine off.   Operator1 stated she was operating her vessel at the time of impact.  Operator1 said she saw the vessel approaching and became scared that they were going to crash.  She began to yell for her husband for help.  Before he could reach the top deck, the second vessel had already made contact.  Through my investigation, I came to the determination that Operator1 was not running her navigation lights and she was the give way vessel which led to this incident.  Operator1 was cited for careless and reckless operation and failure to display her red and green navigation lights.

****************************END OF REPORT*********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0173
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-10-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:10:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: LUMBER RIVER
NearestCityorTown: FAIR BLUF
County: Columbus
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On October 22, 2018 at approximately 8:30pm, I was informed by dispatch that a white male was missing on the Lumber River in Fair Bluff.  Columbus County Sheriff's Department was the agency that notified North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.  I arrived on scene to find Columbus County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina State Parks, Fair Bluff Fire and Rescue and Chadbourn Police Department already on scene.  

Victim left his home approximately 12:00 and was to return home by 4:00pm according to his wife.  A plan was made to secure the launch area then a general direction of where he might be fishing at.  Two people and I patrolled from Causey Road, Fair Bluff which was the launch site of Victim.  We traveled downstream about a mile past the state line and into South Carolina.  We were greeted by South Carolina DNR.  Officer had put in at a boat landing near Nichols, South Carolina and traveled upstream.  Our group then turned around and worked the opposite side of the bank back towards the launch site.  After we were unable to locate Victim, we asked for suggestions about favorite fishing holes and hunting spots.  Several sites where pointed out plus a small shack in the woods he was known to frequent.  All spots where unsuccessful.  After all resources where depleted, a helicopter from a neighboring county was called in to look for Victim by Flare.  After subject was unable to be located we decided to wait till sunrise to resume looking. 

Around 8:00am the owner of the river house came by and we were able to look at the surveillance cameras.  Victim was seen putting his vessel into the Lumber river alone at 12:03pm on the 22nd.  A better idea was formed of where we might find Victim.  At approximately 8:36am on October the 23rd, 2018 Victim's body was spotted downstream from the launch site in the river.  Wildlife Officer and I took two vessels along with a group of people to retrieve the body of Victim.  His vessel and firearm were not recovered. After Victim's body was placed into the ambulance, Officer and I drove to the highway and notified the family of his death.  His wife viewed the body and thanked the group for our efforts.

************************END OF REPORT*****************


BARDID: NC-2018-0174
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-10-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE GASTON
NearestCityorTown: LITTLETON
County: WARREN
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On wednesday, october 24, 2018, i received a report of a boat incident on lake gaston.  At approximately 1900, officer and i met with operator1 at his residence.  We asked to see his vessel and for him to give his own account of what transpired.  

Operator1 stated that he was operating his pontoon boat with a 60hp evinrude, with three passengers.  Operator1 stated that he and his companions had just dropped off one of their friends at his dock.  They were leaving his dock traveling southwest when they were involved in a collision at approximately 12:30pm.  Operator1 made mention that his vessel was traveling at approximately 10mph when he noticed a blue blur on his left-hand side.  In an attempt to avoid a collision, operator1 made a sharp turn to the left and put his motor into neutral just before the impact.  The pontoon boat sustained damage on the right front portion of the pontoon boat.  There was blood on the railing and on the right side of the pontoon boat.  There was a three-foot section of railing that was peeling off because it punctured the fiberglass of the blue boat and lodged to the point that the two vessels were stuck together for a period.  When asked about injuries, operator1 said that he was alright, but one of his passengers, an elderly gentleman had been thrown into to the floor of the boat and sustained a shoulder and neck injury.  He was transported to the hospital in south hill, va, and later the trauma center at vcu.  Operator1 said that he towed the other operator's vessel and his one passenger to their dock after the incident.  Operator1 completed a 4.1 boating accident report.

The other operator was identified who showed us his vessel, a blue nitro z18 with a 150hp mercury.  Operator2's vessel had sustained damage on the right side of his vessel near the operator's seat.  The foam inside the fiberglass was exposed for approximately two to three feet.  There was a visible hole in the interior close to the throttle, blood on the helm, driver's seat, and floor.  Operator2 sustained injuries to his face.  His right eye was extremely black, blue, and swollen.  His face was swollen with stitches across the bridge of his nose.  

Operator2 stated that he and his passenger were running at approximately 40mph coming from eaton's ferry bridge into songbird creek heading back to their dock.  He said that he “never saw another vessel”, but felt the impact and was thrown into his dash.  His passenger was thrown out of the vessel and into the water about ten feet in front of his bow.  He said this occurred between 12:30pm and 1:00pm.  Operator2 recovered and was able to get into the other vessel and throw v2 occupant a rope to pull him back into the vessel.  At this time, operator2 stated that operator1 towed them back to their dock.  Operator2 completed a 4.1 boating accident report.
 
Officer and i then proceeded to the residence, we met with subject1 who was the individual dropped off at his dock just prior to the incident.  Subject1 had hearing aids in while we spoke with him.  He stated that he was walking back to his house when he heard a loud bang.  He turned to see the pontoon boat in contact with a blue bass boat.  He took a picture with his cell phone of the scene.  He also launched his own vessel and proceeded to go help with the rescue.  He took pictures of the scene once he arrived closer.  Subject1 shared these pictures with us.  He also launched his own vessel and proceeded to go help with the rescue.  He took pictures of the scene once he arrived closer.  Subject1 shared these pictures with us.  He also stated that he was dropped off at his dock at around 12:30 pm.  Subject1 witnessed the collision, took his own vessel to the scene and took pictures.

******************end of report******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0175
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: TROUTMAN
County: IREDELL
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 9, 2018, at approximately 02:00pm, a boat incident occurred in the mouth of Skippers Cove near the S1 marker on Lake Norman near Troutman, NC.  Operator1 was operating a Sea-Doo 14JA traveling East heading into Skippers Cove.  His wife and Sister-in-law were on (V2).  V2 was a matching PWC to (V1) and heading South away from Skippers cove.  (V2) was the stand-on vessel.  (V1) was the give-way vessel and cut right into (V2).  (V1) struck (V2) on the starboard side near the front of the vessel.  The momentum from the initial impact caused (V1) to rotate and strike the stern of (V2) with the stern of (V1) throwing subject from the vessel. 

(V2) was traveling South away from Skippers Cove at 0-10 mph. (V1) was traveling East toward Skippers Cove at 10-20 mph.  In this situation (V2) is the stand on vessel.  (V1) was approaching at a greater speed heading into Skippers Cove. This made (V1) the give-way vessel. (V1) maintained his speed and direction into (V2) path of travel.  (V1) struck (V2) at about a 45-degree angle on the starboard side near the front of the vessel. The passenger of (V2) was ejected into the water.  Neither operator was ejected. 

Residents assisted with helping the passenger of (V2) out of the water.  She was taken to Iredell Memorial Hospital for X-rays and treatment.  Due to the blunt force impact, she sustained injuries consisting of four fractured ribs on the right side and bad bruising.  She was treated for her injuries and released. 

After looking at the damage on both skis, it was determined that (V1) struck (V2) at about a 45-degree angle on the starboard side in the front 1/3 of the vessel.  As result of the initial impact (V1) struck (V2) again on the starboard side with the rear of vessel, also impacting the passenger of (V2) ejecting her from the vessel.  Everyone was wearing a PFD.  Alcohol was not a contributing factor. 

The contributing factors of this incident were careless and reckless operation.  None of the 3 individuals had completed a certified boating safety course due to their age.  As a result the operator of (V1) was charged with carless and reckless operation.

******************END OF REPORT***********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0176
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-09-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: TROUTMAN
County: IREDELL
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On september 30, 2018 at approximately 04:00pm, a boat incident occurred on lake norman near windermere isle rd, near troutman, nc. operator1 (v1) was operating a yamaha fx140 traveling north up the river.  (v2) was operating a yamaha fx1000-a traveling behind (v1) in the same direction. Both vessels were traveling north at approximately 40 mph.  Both vessels were rented from cs rentals of lake norman.  (v1) was traveling in front of (v2) making (v1) the stand on vessel and (v2) the give way vessel.  (v1) the stand on vessel, made a sharp right turn and slowed down.  (v2) the give way vessel remained traveling straight and did not slow down striking (v1) on the starboard side near the front of the vessel and striking operator1 the operator of (v1). 

In this situation (v1) is the stand on vessel. (v1) was traveling in front of (v2) when he made a sharp turn and slowed down. (v2) maintained his speed and direction into (v1) path of travel.  (v2) struck (v1) at about a 90-degree angle on the starboard side near the front of the vessel. The operator of (v1) was ejected into the water. The operator of (v2) was not ejected or injured. 

Operator1 the operator of (v1) was taken to lake norman hospital for x-rays and treatment.  Due to the blunt force impact, he sustained injuries consisting of a broken right arm, dislocated shoulder and a laceration on his chin.  He was treated for his injuries and released. 

After looking at the damage on both pwcs, it was determined that (v2) struck (v1) at about a 90-degree angle on the starboard side in the front 1/3 of the vessel, also impacting the operator of (v1) ejecting him from the vessel.  Everyone was wearing a pfd.  Alcohol was not a contributing factor. 

The contributing factors of this incident were careless and reckless operation.  Neither of the individuals had completed a certified boating safety course due to their age.  As a result the operator of (v2) was charged with carless and reckless operation.


*******************end of report*********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0178
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-11-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CROATAN SOUND
NearestCityorTown: MANNS HARBOR
County: DARE
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday, November 11, 2018 at approximately 10:30am, operator was operating his catamaran in the Croatan Sound as part of his journey from Rhode Island to Florida.  Operator's wife was also onboard assisting with course navigation. They consulted an online app they used for navigation and believed they were in the ICW and therefore would have sufficient clearance to travel beneath all bridges.  Their app also stated the clearance for the Hwy 64/264 bridge as being sufficient to clear the approximate 50' mast on their vessel.  When they encountered the William B. Umstead bridge between Manns Harbor and Roanoke Island, they did not see any visible clearance markings but believed they would be able to make it under the bridge since they were in the ICW.  The mast did not have sufficient clearance and struck the bridge causing it to topple over onto the boat.  Operator later learned he was in an alternate ICW route with lower clearance bridges.  There were no injuries and PFDS were available but not worn by the occupants.

********************END OF REPORT****************


BARDID: NC-2018-0179
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-11-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE GASTON
NearestCityorTown: LITTLETON
County: HALIFAX
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On November 4, 2018, at about 9:45 am, there was a boating incident on lake gaston.  The location was hamlin creek. 

The operator of vessel # 2 stated that he was motionless, fishing in the creek before the incident.  He stated that vessel #1 came toward him at a high rate of speed and just before the collision the operator of vessel #2 jumped toward the back of his vessel, which saved his life. The operator of vessel # 2 stated that the operator of vessel # 1 was probably impaired at the time of the incident.  

A short time later officer received a call from the hospital stating that the operator of vessel # 1 was leaving the hospital against medical advice.  Officer and myself arrived a shot time later near the hospital, where an officer with the roanoke rapids police department had the operator stopped at drug co.  We found the operator with a large laceration on his right hand, a bloody mouth, bruises and scratches on his face, complaining of strong pain in his back and having difficulty breathing.  I read him his miranda rights. I could smell a strong oder of an alcoholic beverage on his breath.  We tried to convince him to return to the hospital but he refused.  

We asked him what caused the accident.  He stated the sun was in his eyes and could not see the other vessel until it was too late.  We asked how much alcohol he had to drink.  He said the last time he drank a alcohol beverage was the night before.  He stated he had two glasses of wine and a few beers. Then he went to bed at about 10:30pm. He stated that he had nothing else to drink and had not taken any medication or other drugs.  

I performed horizontal gaze nystagmus on the operator.  There were six clues notices during this test.  I was unable to perform any additional tests due to his injuries.  We tried to convince him again to go to the hospital. He refused again.  We placed him under arrest.  He was taken to the intox room at the roanoke rapids police department.  He submitted to the chemical analysis of his breath.  The results on the test was a .21 bac which was three hours after the incident. He was then taken before the roanoke rapids magistrate. The magistrate found probable cause for him to be charged with operating a motor vessel while impaired and reckless and negligent operation of a motor vessel.  

I was told later by his girlfriend that he was taken to nash general hospital in rocky mount.  He was then transported to vidant medical center in greenville, north carolina.  I was told he suffered a large laceration on his right hand that required several stitches, several fractured ribs on his left side and a punctured lung.  All vessels involved had there required safety equipment and no personal flotation devices were used.


****************end of report***********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0180
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-11-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 07:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: JORDAN LAKE
NearestCityorTown: WILSONVILLE
County: CHATHAM
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Overloading
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
According to Vessel 1 Owner, he as well as Vessel 1 Operator, were on a morning hunting trip scouting for waterfowl and a location to hunt at B. Everett Jordan Reservoir. Vessel 1 Operator, as well as Vessel 1 Owner arrived at a wooded location by kayak approximately 750 yards East of Trannis Camp Road and 1120 Yards Southwest of Eagle Spur Trail where Vessel 1 Owner remained. 

Vessel 1 Operator then attempted to locate a separate location close by. As Vessel 1 Operator paddled away from the area, he noticed the kayak was quickly taking on water possibly from the excess equipment onboard. Vessel 1 Operator was unable to make it back to dry land before the kayak sank. Vessel 1 Operator called 911 from his cell phone at which time elements from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the North Chatham VFD arrived in the area. Vessels were launched, and Vessel 1 Operator and Vessel 1 Owner were recovered from the scene. Due to his submersion in the cold water, Vessel 1 Operator was transported to UNC Hospital for evaluation for hypothermia and later released.  During this investigation there were no indicators alcohol or unlawful drugs played a role in this incident. There were no Personal Floatation Devices onboard the vessel at the time of the incident.

*****************END OF REPORT****************


BARDID: NC-2018-0181
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-10-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 05:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: HAMPSTEAD
County: PENDER
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
According to 16-year-old  operator1, he was operating vessel 1 at approximately 05:30 hours on october 26, 2018 when the accident occurred.  Operator1 was positioned behind the steering wheel operating while his passenger was sitting directly beside him on the leaning post seat on the starboard side of vessel 1.  According to operator1, they were heading north up the icw at an approximate speed of between 10-20mph on plane in vessel 1.  Operator1 stated that he had the screen brightness on the gps unit located on the center console of vessel 1 turned up on high and that he was looking at it while occasionally glancing over at the edges of the marsh to stay in the middle of the icw channel.  

Operator1 stated that he had already passed a couple of lit channel markers, but he was unable to see the icw day marker 105.  Vessel 1's bow collided with the marine pylon icw day marker 105 located on the icw at green channel.  The impact of the collision ejected the passenger, v1 occupant, from vessel 1.  Immediately after the collision, operator1 stated that vessel 1 turned around and the bow was facing in a southernly direction.  Operator1 stated he heard v1 occupant yelling from the water and that he pulled him up over the portside of vessel 1 near the bow.  Operator1 then contacted his father, and informed him that he had been in an accident and that v1 occupant was injured.  Subject side towed vessel 1 back to the dock at scotts hill marina.  At this point the passenger of vessel 1, v1 occupant, was put in a stretcher and placed in the ambulance.  Operator1 was then treated in the other ambulance for a nose bleed.  

Vessel 1 sustained major damage to the fiberglass and wood on the bow, hull, and deck of the boat and a busted windshield on the starboard side of the center console.  The leaning post was knocked loose from the floor deck of the boat and the outboard engine prop was damaged.  The icw day marker 105 marine pylon was knocked over just above the surface of the water with one of the marker signs missing and the other damaged.  Vessel 1's operator, operator1, sustained a temporary nose bleed and some minor skin abrasions to the hand.  The passenger of vessel, v1 occupant, sustained several lacerations to the forehead requiring stitches and a broken left femur from possibly impacting vessel 1's center console.  V1 occupant was hospitalized requiring surgery to repair his femur.  The operator, operator1, was treated and released the same day.


********************end of report********************


BARDID: NC-2018-0182
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: JORDAN LAKE
NearestCityorTown: PITTSBORO
County: CHATHAM
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On august 5, 2018 at approximately 6:20 pm, owner and operator of vessel, was pulling his daughter on a wake board behind their 22 foot moomba craz boat in the cove to the west of farrington road bridge on jordan lake with two people, as spectators/spotters.  The vessel was set on cruise control at 11.8 miles per hour and operator stated he was operating in a large circle to the port side of the vessel. The skiier had the extra slack from the ski rope being used to tow her on the wake board wrapped up and was holding it in her right hand while holding onto the handle with the same hand.  She fell off the wake board and the rope wrapped around her wrist causing the hand to appear to be broken.  Operator took her to crosswinds marina where she was transported to unc chapel hill hospital by ems.
Victim was released from the hospital the same day and was diagnosed with soft tissue damage and severe swelling to the hand.

******************end of report*************


BARDID: NC-2018-0183
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2018-11-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:50:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: WILMINGTON
County: NEW HANOVER
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (non-fuel)
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Electrical
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On thursday november 1, 2018, operator was headed south from rhode island to florida to deliver the vessel “lil yachty” for the owner.  Near marker 150 on the icw in wilmington, operator noticed smoke coming from the main fuse panel.  After noticing the smoke, operator used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames but was unsuccessful.  

The vessel then caught fire and operator and passenger attempted to put the flames out again with an additional extinguisher but were yet again unsuccessful. The fire spread throughout the vessel and operator and passenger abandoned the vessel and were taken to shore by a good samaritan.  Carolina beach fire department attempted to put out the fire as it burned to the water line.  Nc wildlifes responded to the incident and spoke with the operator and the passenger, as well as the fire marshall and fire department.  Once the fire was out on the vessel, tow boat wrightsville beach salvaged the remains on friday november 2nd.

*************end of report******************


BARDID: NC-2018-0184
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:50:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: HOLDEN BEACH
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 12, 2018, two vessels were involved in an incident on the Intracoastal Waterway near Holden Beach. Vessel 2 was to the stern of vessel 1 and was trying to cross the wake of vessel 1.  Vessel 2 was caught by the wake of vessel 1 and unable to turn out causing it to collide bow to stern engine of vessel 1.  

Damage to vessel 1 included fiberglass and motor damage.  There was no damage reported to vessel 2.  Careless and reckless operation was the primary cause of the incident.  Neither alcohol nor drugs were a contributing factor to the incident.  Both vessels were carrying safety equipment required by law.

******************END OF REPORT**************


BARDID: NC-2018-0185
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-12-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:03:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: FAIRFIELD
County: HYDE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On December 11, 2018, operator was operating the vessel Harmony on the ICW near Fairfield, North Carolina.  She was traveling south in the Alligator-Pungo Canal and struck an unknown submerged object causing one of the engines to cut off.  Operator put the vessel in neutral to check and see if there was water in the bilge.  She noticed the bilge was full and the auto-switch was not functioning correctly, so she manually emptied the bilge.  She returned to the helm and moved down river with one engine.  Operator went below deck again to check the bilge and manually emptied the bilge for a second time before returning to the helm and finding the vessel had run aground.  

After the grounding, Operator contacted Towboat U.S.  Once Towboat U.S. realized the vessel was taking on water they contacted the USCG, whom contacted Sgt. with the NCWRC.  On December 12, 2018, the Harmony was towed to Belhaven Shipyard and Marina in Belhaven, North Carolina, where officers were able to inspect the vessel after it was brought to shore.  Upon inspection of the vessel, both props had been damaged and the rudder system had been bent. There was also damage done to the rudder shaft.

************ END OF REPORT*********


BARDID: NC-2018-0186
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-11-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:13:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: ATLANTIC OCEAN
NearestCityorTown: AVON
County: DARE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On November 19, 2018, approximately 11:15 AM, victim reportedly left out of the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center and did not return.  His family contacted the Coast Guard approximately 5:00 PM the same day to report him missing. The Coast Guard searched through the night but were limited to boat searches due to heavy fog. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission was contacted the next day at approximately 7:00 AM.  Sergeant and I (Officer) responded to Oregon Inlet Fishing Center at 8:00 AM to meet the Coast Guard Captain, the search crew, and the family of victim.  Coast Guard, Marine Fisheries, and NCWRC continued to search for the rest of the day by plane, by foot, and by boat.  boat was located unoccupied the following morning (November 21, 2018) at approximately 1:41 AM, 41 miles SE of the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center parking lot. The search for victim has continued, however no further discoveries have been made to this point (11/29/2018).

Vessel 1 was recovered with the key in the on position, throttle fully engaged, and approximately three gallons of fuel remaining in the tank.

*************END OF REPORT**********


BARDID: NC-2018-0187
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2018-07-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: HOLDEN BEACH
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On or about 1630 on the 22nd of July, two personal watercrafts were involved in an incident on the Intracoastal Waterway near Holden Beach.  Vessel 1 operator was idling and was trying to assist a passenger who fell into the water from another vessel when vessel 2 approached from the starboard bow side and struck vessel 1 in the starboard bow with the bow of vessel 2. 

 Vessel 1 and 2 were carrying all required safety equipment. Careless and reckless operation by vessel 2 is believed to be the contributing factor to the incident.  

Neither alcohol nor drugs were a contributing factor.  Due to the age of the operator of vessel 2 no charges were filed and the operator was warned of his actions and recommended to attend a boater safety course in the state where he resides.


********END OF REPORT********


BARDID: NC-2018-0188
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CAPE FEAR RIVER
NearestCityorTown: SOUTHPORT
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent2: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On the evening of June 07, 2018, at approximately 1830, operator and three other passengers were involved in a boat incident in Southport, North Carolina. The vessel and all the occupants were traveling south on the Cape Fear River.  The vessel hit a wake from a larger vessel traveling north and ejected the operator and passengers out of the vessel (27'' Sea Hunt). The boat still in forward gear continued its course toward the mainland side of Southport.  It ran through three docks causing extensive damage to property and came to rest on the beach at the waterfront of Southport.  Good samaritans on two different vessels retrieved the survivors.  All the occupants were examined by EMT and released except for one person who was transported to New Hanover ER for injuries.  He was treated and released the same night.  The operator was charged with BWI (.08) and careless and reckless operation of a motor vessel.  He was later admitted to New Hanover Reginal Medical with complaints of chest pain.  The occupants were not wearing personal flotation devices at the time of the incident. The vessel was equipped with all the required safety equipment.

PLEASE NOTE:  THE SECOND VESSEL IS UNKNOWN.

*************END OF REPORT**************


BARDID: NC-2018-0189
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: DISMAL SWAMP CANAL
NearestCityorTown: ELIZABETH CITY
County: CAMDEN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
VESSEL 1 WAS HEADED SOUTH IN THE DISMAL SWAMP CANAL AT A VERY LOW SPEED.  VESSEL 1 THEN MADE A U-TURN TO HEAD BACK NORTH.  AS VESSEL 1 STRAIGHTENED BACK OUT, THE VESSEL BEGAN TO ROLL OVER AND CAPSIZE LEAVING BOTH OCCUPANTS IN THE WATER.  IT IS UNDETERMINED EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED THE VESSEL TO CAPSIZE AND THEN FLOOD.  THERE WERE NO WITNESSES AND THE OPERATOR WAS UNSURE IF THEY POSSIBLY HIT SOMETHING OR THE VESSELL STARTED TO TAKE ON WATER WHILE THEY WERE TURNING AROUND CAUSING THE VESSELL TO CAPSIZE.  PFDS WERE BEING USED AND BOTH OCCUPANTS COULD SWIM.  THERE WAS NO SUSPICION OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL BEING A FACTOR. THE INJURED WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL TO BE CHECKED OUT BECAUSE OF A COPD AGGRIVATION THAT WAS TRIGGERED BECAUSE OF THE INCIDENT.

************END OF REPORT************


BARDID: NC-2018-0190
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:08:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: SWANSBORO
County: ONSLOW
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 7, 2018 at approximately 10:08 AM, Vessel 1 was travelling North on the Onslow County part of the ICW just outside of Swansboro.  V1 had just been fishing in the Hammocks Beach Ferry Channel and decided to fish in the White Oak River.  V1 stated that approximately 75 to 100 yards in front of the vessel was West Channel.  

At this time V1 observed Vessel 2 heading toward the mouth of the channel coming into the ICW.  At this time V1 stated that V2 began a course of heading straight across the channel when all of a sudden turned left into V1's path.  V1 stated that V2 made a left hand turn into the path of V1 and could only turn hard left to avoid a collision.  V1 stated that both vessels hit bow to bow but that because both had turned hard left, the collision was a glancing blow.  V1 stated that all passengers were accounted for and that no one was hurt while V2 approached V1 to exchange information.  

V1 sustained scrapes, cracks and hull damage to the fiberglass and estimated $2800 to fix the hull.  

V2 stated that on the date and time above, V2 had just dropped some passengers off on a sandbar in West Channel and was making his return to Shell Rock Access Area to retrieve more passengers.  V2 stated that approximately 200 yards to his left was V1 travelling North toward Swansboro.  V2 stated that while between idle and plowing speed, he thought that V1 would have passed in front of him by the time he decided to turn left into the ICW.  V2 stated that because of a known sandbar, V2 had made a slight right turn to miss the bar and then a left into the ICW.  V2 stated that while making his left turn and coming onto plane that he had made his left turn and that V1 was “on top of me” and turned hard left in hopes of avoiding a collision.  V2 stated that he had approximately $25 worth in paint damages.

*********** THERE WERE NO INJURIES***********  END OF REPORT***********


BARDID: NC-2018-0191
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-11-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALBEMARLE SOUND
NearestCityorTown: EDENTON
County: CHOWAN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday, November 17, 2018 at approximately 1745 PM, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission dispatch received a call about an overdue boater on the Albemarle Sound. The search for the boater began from Midway boating access area extending back towards Edenton Bay. Around 2130 PM, the 20-foot missing pontoon boat was in Edenton Bay by a USCG helicopter approximately 500 yards from day marker #7.  After accessing the boat, the operator was not on board. There was a pair of jeans, a tan button up shirt, pair of glasses, silver watch, and a brown wallet.  There was also evidence that victim tried to re-enter the boat after going overboard.  There was also fishing gear and fishing rods on board the boat. After an extensive search for the missing operator, the search was suspended until the next day. At approximately 1700 PM on November 13th, the body of the operator was found in the middle of the Albemarle Sound (GPS Coordinates 35.990955, -76.622465). At the time of the incident the wind was blowing ENE 6 MPH with an air temperature of 44 degrees, and water temperature of 51 degrees. The conditions were clear and less than 6' waves.

*****END OF REPORT*****


BARDID: NC-2018-0192
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-12-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:05:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE HICKORY
NearestCityorTown: BETHLEHEM
County: ALEXANDER
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with floating object
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday December 8, 2018, at roughly 09:05 am, Operator was traveling east on Lake Hickory going roughly 40 miles per hour. He was driving in the main channel of the lake.  As he approached the mouth of Snow Creek, Operator struck a floating railroad tie that he suspects came from someone’s bulkhead on the lake.  The gelcoat on the bottom of his boat was scratched, and the lower unit and keel of his outboard motor snapped from the transom. The collision also caused several scratches in the fiberglass transom of the boat. Operator was shaken up but unharmed.

*************END OF REPORT**********


BARDID: NC-2019-0003
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-02-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:07:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: CASHIE ROANOKE THOROUGHFARE
NearestCityorTown: WINDSO
County: BERTIE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
At 17:42 on February 3, 2019, I received a call from Officer that there was boating incident on the Roanoke/Cashie Throughfare.  Officer had been contacted through NCWRC Raleigh dispatch at 17:25. I responded to the San Souci Ferry Landing with a patrol boat. Upon my arrival, the Bertie county medical examiner was leaving with the deceased, Victim. I met Officers, who had been handling the incident prior to my arrival. Officer was interviewing the son of Victim and was the only passenger aboard the vessel operated by Victim during the boat incident. 

Son completed the MB4.1 once ashore the San Souci Ferry Landing.  Son stated that he and his father were coming back from fishing on the Roanoke River and traveling on the Throughfare headed to the Cashie River.  Victim was operating a fiberglass 17-foot Ranger bass boat powered by a 175 horsepower Johnson outboard motor.  He stated they were traveling at what he considered to be a high rate of speed down a straight-away.  As they approached a sharp turn, the boat couldn't turn sharp enough and they continued toward the outside bank of the turn before striking an overhanging tree with the vessel. The damage to the vessel was confined to the starboard side.  The overhanging tree removed the navigation light and broke the front pedestal seat from the bow. The starboard side console of the boat received impact damage to the windshield, gauge cluster and steering wheel.  

Victim who was operating from the side console experienced blunt force trauma to the upper right portion of his skull from contact with the tree as well as broken ribs, deep lacerations to the right forearm, and broken/evulged fingers. Victim succumbed to these injuries at the scene of the incident.  The overhanging tree removed the rear pedestal seat from the stern and damaged the starboard side of the outboard's cowling.  Following the impact with the tree, Son tried to start the motor of the vessel but was unable to get it to run.  He proceeded to the San Souci Ferry Landing by power of the bow mounted trolling motor.  It was at the Ferry Landing that Victim was pronounced dead by the Bertie County Medical Examiner.  Victim was transported to Martin General Hospital.  Son was uninjured in the incident and left the San Souci Ferry Landing in possession of the vessel with family members.  

Officer and I patrolled the Roanoke/Cashie Throughfare by boat on the night of the incident.  We found what we concluded to be the site of the incident.  No debris was found at the scene.  The damage to the impacted tree was deep abrasions to the bark, broken and twisted limbs, as well as a limb that appeared to have been clipped by a skeg or propeller.  The site of incident was marked, photographed and recorded by GPS.  The following morning, February 4th, 2019, Officer and I patrolled the Roanoke/Cashie Throughfare by boat to examine the scene of the incident in daylight.  No additional debris was found.  However, deposition of paint and fiberglass on the impacted tree was found.  Those findings were documented and photographed.  No alcohol or drug use is suspected, and no charges were filed.


************END OF REPORT*********


BARDID: NC-2019-0004
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-02-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: FALLS LAKE
NearestCityorTown: CREEDMOOR
County: WAKE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On february 2, 2019 at approximately 1400 hrs, two individuals in a 15ft canoe with a trolling motor overturned on beaver dam lake near creedmor, nc.  The accident occurred just north and east of the boat ramp located on falls lake.  The owner and operator of the canoe suffered from hypothermia and the other individual was able to escape uninjured. 

According to operator1, the two individuals had been fishing that day and were headed back to the boat ramp when the canoe hit something in the water.  Neither of the individuals were able to identify what it was they actually hit.  It was at this time the bow of the canoe dipped down into the lake deep enough for the trolling motor to come out of the water.   The canoe tipped to the port side ejecting both of the individuals.  Subject1 stayed with the overturned vessel while operator1 started to swim to the shore.  Another vessel noticed the situation and was able to assist both operator1 and subject1to the shore.  Emergency services was notified and arrived at the boat ramp along with park ranger.  Operator1 was transported to wake med to be treated for hypothermia and subject1was able to leave uninjured.

It appears that operator inattention may have been the primary contributing factor that could have avoided the collision with an unidentified object in the water.  There were no personal floatation devices onboard the vessel and no alcohol involved in this accident.  There were no charges filed to either of the individuals.

*************end of report************


BARDID: NC-2019-0005
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-02-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: SOUTHPORT
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Shift
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On february 2, 2019, at approximately 13:30 hrs, operator1 was attempting to leave his slip on dock “a” at the southport marina which is located on the intracoastal waterway near southport, nc.  His vessel is a jefferson rivanna, 57' in length and is powered by twin inboard diesel engines (1200 total hp). 

As operator1 pulled his vessel forward out of the slip, his glendinning engine control system's alarm sounded and the system failed.  This caused him to lose the abiltiy to control the engine throttle or to shift the engines into neutral or reverse.  The engines were stuck in forward gear at low throttle. Operator1 immediately shut both engines off and attempted to use his bow thrusters to avoid colliding with the dock which was located in front of his vessel and across from his slip.   However, due to the tight quarters inside the marina's docks, his forward momentum carried his vessel at an approximately 30 degree angle at less than 5 mph into the dock. 

The collision with the dock caused the dock to splinter along an approximately 10' section and also knocked a cleat off of the dock.  Damage to operator1's vessel included fiberglass damage to the front of his keel and a through-hull puncture near the front keel slightly to the starboard side of the keel line. This puncture appears to be the result of the bow striking a cleat on the dock. 

No one was injured.  There was no other vessel traffic, no environmental conditions contributed to the incident.  This incident appears to be due to the failure of the glendinning engine control system.


*****************end of report************


BARDID: NC-2019-0006
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2019-02-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: PEE DEE RIVER
NearestCityorTown: MT GILEAD
County: MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On february 9, 2019 at approximately 4:30 pm, a boat incident occurred on the pee dee river approximately three tenths of a mile south of the clarks creek access area. The vessel that was involved was a 14-foot dura craft jon boat. The vessel was an aluminum jon boat with a 65 lb thrust trolling motor attached. The vessel was occupied by the owner. 

Subject stated that the incident occurred due to the vessel getting stuck on some rocks and caused her to exit the vessel in attempt to get the vessel off the rocks.  Subject stated that after she exited the boat, she noticed the hydro dam was releasing water and lost her grip on the boat.  While standing in the water, she then lost her footing on the rocks and was taken down river.  As she was floating down river wearing her personal floatation device, she was able to grab a tree limb and hold on until stanly and montgomery county rescue arrived by boat.  Stanly county ems arrived and transported her to stanly regional hospital where she was treated for hypothermia and released.

Subject stated while she was fishing, she noticed the water was starting to rise and wanted to get closer to shore and head back to clark's creek boat ramp.  Subject was close to shore when her boat trolling motor located on the back of her boat started getting weak and was not able to travel up river.  At this time her boat became stuck on some rocks and she exited the boat to free it from the rocks.  After exiting the boat and standing in the water, she said the current from the river and the water being released from the dam was too strong and made it difficult for her to hold onto the boat.  She contacted 911 and her husband for help.  Due to the strong current of the water, she lost her footing in the water and let go of the boat.  She began floating down river along with the boat.  Subject floated by her pfd approximately a mile down river before grabbing a tree limb and holding on until first responders arrived.  Pfds were on board and used during the incident.  At this time the vessel has not been recovered and a report has been filed with the montgomery county sheriff's office.  The estimated value of the vessel, trolling motor, and fishing equipment located onboard is around $800.00.

All safety equipment required for the vessel was located on board.  Alcohol and/or drugs were not a contributing factor.  It appeared the incident occurred due to the strong current of the river/dam and the subject's inability to safely make it to shore.  Subject was treated for hypothermia then released from the hospital. There were no charges as a result of this incident.


************end of report***********


BARDID: NC-2019-0007
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2019-03-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:15:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: ATLANTIC OCEAN
NearestCityorTown: TOPSAIL BEACH
County: PENDER
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On march 10, 2019 at approximately 11:15 hours, operator was operating vessel 1 just south of topsail inlet approximately 50-100 yards off of the beach of the northern end of lea island.   Immediately prior to the incident, operator was standing at the helm of vessel 1.  Subject1 was standing on the starboard side of the center console beside operator, and subject2 was standing on the starboard side mid-ship beside the t-top post.  According to operator, vessel 1 was cruising just east of the breaking waves looking at a brown spot under the water which he believed to be a school of red drum.  

Vessel 1 was heading southwest at a speed under 10mph when a large wave impacted the port side of vessel 1 causing it to roll and capsize.  The operator and both passengers fell overboard when vessel 1 capsized.  According to subject2, sometime immediately after the three men entered the water, a wave hit vessel 1 causing subject1 to impact vessel 1's outboard motor.  According to operator and subject2, passenger subject1 was unresponsive and weak after vessel 1 capsized.  Operator and subject2 were able to assist subject1 up onto the top of the hull of vessel 1 several times, but the three men were repeatedly knocked off by the incoming waves.  Subject2 called 911 at approximately 11:16 hours while the men were still with vessel 1.  The current and waves eventually grounded vessel 1.  Operator and subject2 had to physically pull the unresponsive subject1 through the surf.  Bystanders on the beach who didn't witness the incident saw operator and subject2 struggling in the surf.  They came over and assisted pulling the unconscious subject1 up on the beach.  Cpr was administered on subject1 but was unsuccessful.  Witnesses stated that subject1 had no pulse when they began cpr.  Pender ems/fire personnel pronounced subject2 dead upon their arrival.  

On march 10, 2019 at approximately 12:05 hours i, nc wildlife officer was notified by the ncwrc dispatch of an overturned vessel south of topsail inlet on the north end of lea island.  Nc wildlife officer and i arrived on scene at the northern end of lea island by boat at approximately 13:16 hours.  Officer and i then patrolled on foot to the beach where pender ems and fire personnel were standing by with the deceased passenger of vessel 1, subject1.  Officer and i began interviewing witnesses and photographing the scene.  The operator of vessel 1, operator and another passenger, subject2, had already been transported by pender ems to new hanover regional medical center north to be treated for mild hypothermia.


*************end of report*********


BARDID: NC-2019-0008
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-01-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: DENVER
County: LINCOLN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On january 27, 2019 at approximately 1415, a 2007 stratos 19 foot 294 pro xl bass boat owned and by operator1 with one person as a passenger, was struck by a 2016 lowe 16 foot model rough neck john boat owned by operator2.  The two boats collided near mile marker 3 on lake norman in lincoln county.  Operator2 was leaving beatties ford access area headed north towards davidson creek going approximately 25 mph when he collided with operator1, who was headed north up the lake towards pinnacle access area going approximately 35 mph.  

The starboard side bow of the 2016 lowe john boat struck the port side of the 2007 stratos bass boat behind the passenger area causing the fiberglass hull of the stratos to crack open at the area of impact.  

Operator2 was thrown out of the stern of his boat into the water, as well as some tackle and chairs.  Operator2 was not wearing a pfd.  All were uninjured.  Operator1 stopped and helped operator2 collect his property that was floating.  They both then headed to beatties ford access area to wait on law enforcement.  

Officer and i arrived at beatties ford access area at approximately 1530.  Operator2 had pulled his boat from the water, and operator1 was waiting on subject to get back with the trailer for his boat.  There was a significant hole and fractures in the port side of the hull of the stratos as well as scrapes going down the gunwale on the port side.  The hole in the fiberglass hull was on the port side of the stratos just above the waterline.  

The damage on the 2016 lowe rough neck john boat was a large dent on the starboard side of the bow with scrapes in the paint.  The lip of the starboard side gunwale was bent in near the bow of the boat. There were scrapes on the hull below the damaged gunwale as well as scrapes on the hull under the dent in the starboard side of the bow.  There were small shavings of blue fiberglass on the 2016 lowe rough neck in the large dent on the starboard side bow as well as small bits of fiberglass on the bent part of the gunwale.  Operator2 stated that he could not retrieve some of his tackle because it sank and that some of his rods were damaged.


*************end of report********


BARDID: NC-2019-0009
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-04-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: PAMLICO SOUND
NearestCityorTown: OCRACOKE
County: HYDE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
According to the operator, He was coming back into Quork Hammock from setting nets around 8:00 pm on Friday April 5, 2019.  Operator1 stated that the tide was extremely low at the time he was coming back in.  Operator1 said that he was cruising at approximately 10 miles per hour when his motor either hit something on the bottom or struck the bottom itself.  Operator1 had his hand on the throttle and when his motor hit something which threw him forward causing the boat to accelerate.  Operator1 said that the no feedback steering on his vessel was not working and whenever his motor hit, it caused the boat to turn to the right.  Due to the vessel quickly turning and increasing speed, Operator1 was unable to avoid colliding with a vessel which was tied to a nearby dock.

Upon inspecting Operator1's vessel for damage, there was no apparent damage to the lower unit from the incident.  I inspected the propeller and the skeg of Operator1's vessel and the only visual damage was normal wear with missing paint on the skeg.  Based upon the damage to vessel, it appears that Operator1 was traveling at a higher rate of speed than he claimed.  On the day of the incident sunset was around 7:33 pm and it would have been dark by the time it occurred around 8:00 pm.  Due to the low light conditions, low water levels and the fog that Operator1 described, a careful operator would have greatly reduced speed.  In order to safely navigate through the narrow channel, especially knowing there to be vessels tied up in the area, along with the environmental factors, slowing to idle/no wake speed would be the most appropriate course of action.  After looking at all factors, it appears that a combination of operator inattention and excessive speed contributed to this incident.


PLEASE NOTE:  VESSEL ONE OPERATOR WAS CHARGED WITH CARELESS AND RECKLESS OPERATION.

**************END OF REPORT***********


BARDID: NC-2019-0011
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2019-05-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ATLANTIC OCEAN
NearestCityorTown: NAGS HEAD
County: DARE
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On Wednesday May 8, 2019 at approximately 4:00 p.m., Operator1 was returning from an off-shore fishing trip with two of his friends onboard.  When navigating his vessel across the sandbar outside Oregon Inlet, a wave approximately 3' tall came over the stern of the vessel.  The vessel turned, and another wave came over causing the boat to capsize.  All three occupants were ejected into the water.  One of the occupants was able to locate and put on a PFD once in the water.  Another vessel was able to retrieve the occupants from the water but required the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard to safely navigate across the bar into Oregon Inlet.  None of the occupants were injured, and the vessel was unable to be retrieved.


********END OF REPORT*******


BARDID: NC-2019-0012
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-04-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:35:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: WACCAMAW RIVER
NearestCityorTown: PIREWAY
County: BRUNSWICK
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On April 8, 2019 at approximately 19:33, I received a call from Raleigh Communications advising me of a Boating incident with a possible drowning on the Waccamaw River at Pireway Access area.  I arrived on scene at 2014 where Brunswick County Sheriffs Office briefed me on the situation.  

I learned that two individuals had been out on a 16ft Lowe boat fishing and boating. Subject1 dropped Subject2 off on the boat ramp to get their truck backed into the boat ramp to load their vessel. Subject2 stated that after being dropped off on the ramp, he saw Subject1 headed toward the Pireway bridge in the vessel. Subject2 stated that he saw Subject1 give the vessel throttle where the vessel stood strait up and threw Subject1 out of the back starboard side of the vessel. The vessel circled the right piling of the hwy 904 bridge twice before striking the piling. At this time, Subject2 attempted to rescue Subject1 by swimming to him but was unable to reach him because of distance and water temperature being too cold. Once Subject2 reached land he saw that Subject1 had gone under the water. Subject2 attempted to use the vessel that had now drifted to land to rescue Subject1 to no avail.  Subject1 was last seen above water at approximately 1835.  Rescue efforts by the Brunswick County Sheriffs Office, Sunset Fire and Rescue as well as multiple Volunteer Fire Department ensued at approximately 1915. 

Alcohol was present on the vessel as well as on Subject2's person. The vessel registration had lapsed.  Life jackets were not used but were on the vessel in a storage compartment. 


*********END OF REPORT******


BARDID: NC-2019-0013
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2019-04-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: YADKIN RIVER
NearestCityorTown: ADVANCE
County: DAVIE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Dam/lock
AccidentCause3: Hazardous waters
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On april 6, 2019, operator1 launched his 14' jon boat on the yadkin river.  Operator1 was the operator and he was accompanied by two people.  The group traveled up the river to a spot about 40 yards below idol's dam. They used a bow rope to tie to a tree that extended out from the forsyth county bank of the river.  

The group then proceeded to fish.  As the group was preparing to depart, subject1 pulled the boat by the bow rope back to the tree.  During this time, operator1 cranked the outboard motor.  Subject1 untied the rope, then operator1 began to back away.  Moments after the boat was untied, the motor went dead and could not be restarted.  The current produced by the low head dam and the topography of the river caused the drifting boat to be pulled towards the cascading waters of the dam.  As the boat approached the dam, it turned sideways, then filled with water as it was pulled into the overflow of the dam.  The boat filled with water then capsized sending everyone into the river.  Subject1 was caught in the back-roll of the dam while the other two narrowly escaped and was picked up by nearby boaters.  Subject1 inhaled a significant amount of water and suffered numerous scrapes and bruising all about his body. Because of subject1's injuries, he was taken to baptist hospital where he was admitted for observation.

*******end of report*****


BARDID: NC-2019-0014
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-04-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:53:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BUCKHORN RESERVOIR
NearestCityorTown: KENLY
County: WILSON
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Other
OtherAccidentCause: unfamiliar with area
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On april 6, 2019 around 20:38, i received a text message from sergeant regarding a boating incident on buckhorn reservoir involving one boat that struck a submerged object ejecting one individual. The operator of the vessel was transported to wilson medical center to be x-rayed for a possible broken right leg.  The passenger drove himself to the emergency room later that same night complaining of a badly bruised right arm.

On april 7, 2019, around 14:30, i reached out to a sworn wilson police officer that works buckhorn reservoir.  Subject stated he was informed of the boating incident on saturday april 6th around 17:00.  By the time he arrived on scene, the boat was at the dock and operator had been transported to wilson medical center.  Occupant was still on scene and loaded and transported the vessel back to operator's home.  Around 14:30 on april 7th, sergeant and i  patrolled to residence to interview operator.  Sergeant and i inspected the damage to the vessel.  The damage consisted of an approximately 8 inch wide by 24 inch long gash to the underside starboard side rear pad of the carolina skiff.  The fiberglass was completely torn away with multiple stress fractures to the immediate area surrounding the gash.  Operator informed us that during the collision with the unknown submerged object, he was thrown into the center console striking his right upper thigh.  He was on crutches when we arrived and had severe swelling to his upper right leg, but informed me that his leg was not broken.  During the encounter, i had operator fill out a mb 4.1 to give an account of the incident.  I also met with occupant later on april 7th to record his account of the events that transpired.  He informed me that he did not remember much except being thrown overboard and being in the water.  I took pictures of his bruised right arm and had him fill out a mb 4.1 to provide an account of the event.


*****end of report****


BARDID: NC-2019-0015
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2019-05-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:43:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ATLANTIC OCEAN
NearestCityorTown: TOPSAIL BEACH
County: PENDER
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Weather
AccidentCause3: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On may 2, 2019 at approximately 13:40 hours, operator1 was operating vessel 1 from the helm of the center console in the atlantic ocean just west of topsail inlet.  Operator1 was accompanied by subject1 who was sitting beside him on the starboard aft seat and subject2. Who was sitting on the seat located in front of vessel 1's center console.  

According to operator1, they had been cruising just off shore of topsail beach and decided to come back inshore via topsail inlet.  Operator1 said that he was cruising in a north westerly direction in vessel 1 at a speed of less than 10mph approaching topsail inlet when he looked over his right shoulder and saw a good size wave approaching his stern from the southeast.  

According to operator1, he then gave vessel 1 some forward throttle to avoid the wave crashing over the stern, but the wave turned vessel 1's bow to the southeast.  Vessel 1 then rolled to the starboard side and capsized.  

The operator and both passengers entered the water immediately after vessel 1 capsized.  Passenger subject1 was wearing a type iii pfd when she entered the water and was later able to sit in the transom outboard engine area of the capsized vessel 1.  Operator1 and passenger subject2 remained near the overturned vessel 1 swimming and occasionally holding on to vessel 1's bow eye.  Subject2 called 911 on his cellular phone at approximately 13:43 hours.  Pender county ems boat marine 14 responded to the scene and recovered vessel 1's operator and passengers approximately 30 minutes later.  Vessel 1's operator and passengers were checked out by pender co. Ems onshore at topsail beach and released.  No injuries were reported.

According to the owner and operator operator1, after reviewing the damage to vessel 1, the insurance company ruled it a total loss.


******end of report*****


BARDID: NC-2019-0016
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-05-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE GASTON
NearestCityorTown: HENRICO
County: NORTHAMPTON
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On may 17, 2019, at about 11:30 p.m., the neighbors heard a crash, but they did not see a vessel.  The next morning, may 18th, subjects saw that there was damage to their boathouse and the pontoon boat in the boathouse.  

The owners contacted the north carolina wildlife resources commission to report a hit and run incident involving their boathouse.  I talked to the owners and they described the damage to their boathouse and pontoon boat.  I thought someone may have been injured due to the amount of damage that was described, so i contacted halifax regional medical center in roanoke rapids, north carolina, virginia commonwealth university (vcu) health community memorial hospital in south hill, virginia, and southern virginia regional medical center in emporia, virginia.  All of these hospitals reported that they did not have anyone come to their emergency department nor did they admit anyone with any injuries that could have came from a boating incident.  I met with the owners of the property, and documented the damage to the boathouse, dock, and pontoon boat.  During this time, i found metal under some of the screws that held a board down to the dock. This may indicate that the vessel that hit the dock was of aluminum construction.  I took the board, and i took photos of all the damage.  This incident is still under investigation.

This report will be updated upon completion of this investigation.

*****end of report*****


BARDID: NC-2019-0017
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-05-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: SWANSBORO
County: ONSLOW
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Fire/explosion (non-fuel)
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On monday may 20, 2019 around 6:30 pm, operator1 and his wife were cruising in their 32' sportfish boat on the icw just past swansboro, heading south.  When they got near banks channel,they were approached by a coast guard vessel who stopped their vessel and warned them that they were in a live fire military zone.  

During the vessel stop, operator1' boat had drifted on a shoal and became stuck.  They decided to wait until high tide to try to move the vessel.  A few hours later, they felt the boat beginning to break loose from the shoal, so they started the engine and pulled away from the shoal. That's when operator1 noticed smoke coming from the engine room.  So he called the coast guard for assistance.  By that time, smoke had filled the cabin, so he and his wife abandoned ship, put on their life vests and jumped into their lifeboat.  The coast guard and tow boat us both arrived on scene about 30 minutes later.  The vessel was eventually towed back to town creek marina in beaufort. The cause of the fire is thought to be the result of debris getting stuck in the intake valve, causing the engine to overheat and catch fire. The fire damaged the alternator on the portside engine. No injuries were reported. The estimated property damage is $2,000.

*******end of report***


BARDID: NC-2019-0018
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-05-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:20:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: ICW
NearestCityorTown: SWANSBORO
County: ONSLOW
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On thursday may 23, 2019, Victim and subject were sailing the “levre” a 34 foot sailboat belonging to Victim. The two men had picked up the sailboat from hampstead where it had been repainted and they were sailing it back to swansboro where their home port was. Victim was operating the vessel and occupant was rigging the sails. According to occupant, the entire trip they had been under power because the wind was very light less than 5mph. When they came into swansboro, the wind had picked up 10 to 15 mph. Victim wanted to sail around the waterfront to advertise his sailing business. The wind blew Victim's hat off his head and into the water.  He turned the wheel hard to the left causing the sailboat to jibe.  The boom swung around and hit Victim in the forehead.  He then was knocked into the water.  He was semi-conscious and face up in the water when occupant saw him.  

Occupant told him he would swing back around and get him.  Occupant had to drop all the sails and it took him several minutes to do this.  Then he made two passes and he still was not able to get close enough to Victim.  He saw that Victim was face down in the water, so he jumped into the water to rescue him.  Occupant gave rescue breaths to Victim and supported him in the water, but he was not able to get him back into the boat because the ladder would not drop.  Occupant screamed for help and was passed by two vessels.  

The third vessel stopped and rendered assistance.  A female passenger aboard the boat that stopped to help jumped into the water to help rescue both men. They were able to get Victim into the boat and immediately started cpr.  The female wrote in her statement that she believed Victim was already deceased at this point.  He had foam coming out of his mouth and his lips were blue.  Occupant also stated that he had blood coming out of his left eye socket. Victim was taken to the nearest dock, the saltwater grill.  Ems had already been called but was not on scene yet.  When they got to the dock, the coast guard took over chest compressions.  When ems arrived, they applied an aed to try and revive Victim.  This attempt was unsuccessful.  

Time of death was 17:51. I spoke with the medical examiner who stated that Victim died from drowning due to blunt force trauma to his head.  After interviewing occupant, he stated that he had been drinking that day.  I asked him if Victim had been drinking and he stated no.  I am waiting on a blood report from the medical examiners office.

******report will be updated when the medical examiner's report is received*****


BARDID: NC-2019-0019
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-05-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:26:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE GASTON
NearestCityorTown: LITTLETON
County: WARREN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentCause1: Failure to vent
AccidentCause2: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On saturday, may 25, 2019, operator1 was operating his boat on lake gaston.  He traveled to the morningstar marina to fuel his vessel.  Upon arriving at the dock at 4:26pm, one of the attendants began to fuel his vessel.  The attendant did spill a small amount of fuel to top the gas tank off.  Operator1 admitted to not turning his blower on or venting his vessel before during or after the refueling process.  When he turned his key to start the motor, he heard a loud pop followed by fire throughout the engine compartment.  He activated his fire extinguisher but that did not put out the blaze.  Marina workers were able to move the vessel out into open water and used two more fire extinguishers to extinguish the fire.  No one was injured.


*****end of report*****


BARDID: NC-2019-0020
State: NC
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2019-05-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ROANOKE SOUND
NearestCityorTown: WANCHESE
County: DARE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday May 25, 2019 at approximately 9:30am, Subject1 and his son Subject2 were refueling their newly purchased boat at OBX Marina in Wanchese.  After refueling, the pair stated they ran the blowers on the vessel for approximately 15 to 20 minutes at which point the vapor alarm stopped sounding and Subject2 started the engines.  

Shortly after the engines started the port side engine cut off.  Subject1 said the vapor alarm did not go off, so his son attempted to restart the engine.  Upon turning the ignition key, there was an explosion that caused Subject1 to fall onto the then exposed engine.  The halon fire suppression system immediately came on in the engine compartment and prevented any further fire.  Subject2 pushed his dad onto the dock and then jumped into the water off the stern of the vessel.  Subject1 was airlifted to Norfolk Hospital where he was admitted for burns on this right arm and the back side of his right leg and foot.  Subject1 stated he had the port engine replaced in Wanchese after purchasing the vessel and this was the first time refueling the vessel since the repair.  PFD's were available onboard the vessel but were not worn at the time of this incident.

******END OF REPORT*****


BARDID: NC-2019-0021
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-06-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 06:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE WYLIE
NearestCityorTown: CHARLOTTE
County: MECKLENBURG
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 06/01/2019 at approximately 6:15am, a boating incident occurred on lake wylie in the area of copperhead island. The incident involved two bass fishing vessels inside of a marked no wake zone.  Vessel one was a 21-foot triton owned by operator1.  Vessel two was a 20-foot javelin owned by operator2.  Operator1 was fishing at the bow of vessel 1 when vessel two struck it on the right-side causing property damage to his vessel. 

Operator1 was fishing in a bass tournament and had stopped to fish a point inside of the no wake zone at mcdowell park/copperhead island.  He was standing at the bow of his vessel operating the trolling motor and fishing.  He stated that he saw another bass boat further into the cove also fishing.  Operator1 had been there approximately five minutes when he noticed the other vessel coming out of the cove using its outboard motor.  He then noticed that the other vessel's bow was up and was coming right for his vessel.  He attempted to use the trolling motor to avoid a collision but was unable to do so.  Vessel number two struck vessel number one on the right side in the area of the operator's position.  The impact caused significant fiberglass damage, damaged both consoles, broke the steering wheel, and tore the operator's chair from its mount in the floor. 

Operator2 stated that he was fishing for pleasure inside the no wake zone.  He stated that he had saw the other vessel while he was fishing.  He decided to move to another area.  He stated that when he started his outboard motor and “gunned it”, he noticed that his bow went up and that his outboard motor was trimmed up.  He stated that he was focused on getting the motor trimmed down and not where he was going.  He stated that he knew he was in a no wake zone.  After the collision, operator2 put his boat in reverse and was able to get his vessel off vessel number one.  There was no damage to vessel number two.  There was only a contact mark on the keel of the vessel approximately 48 inches from the point of the bow.  The mark was able to be removed by hand and the location of the contact mark indicates that the bow of vessel number two was up at the point of contact.  This evidence corroborates both operators' accounts of the incident.  Operator2 exchanged information with operator1.  Operator1 continued to fish in the tournament and law enforcement was not notified until approximately 4:00pm. 

It is apparent that vessel number two failed to give way to vessel number one as the overtaking vessel.  Operator2 admittedly was operating without proper lookout and not paying attention to where he was going.  He also was operating at greater than no wake speed inside a marked no wake zone.  As a result, operator2 was issued citations for both careless/negligent operation and a no wake zone infraction. 

No witnesses were present at the time of the incident. 

No persons were injured during this incident.

*********end of report********


BARDID: NC-2019-0022
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-05-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BOGUE INLET
NearestCityorTown: EMERALD ISLE
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause2: Equipment failure
EquipmentFailure: Auxiliary
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On friday, may 10 , 2019 around 15:30, operator1 was out fishing with his friend in bogue inlet with his 19' challenger.  As they were packing up to head back to shore they noticed water in the back of the boat.  They started the bilge pump, put on life vests and started bailing water with a bucket but couldn't keep up because the boat was filling with water fast.  So they called mayday on channel 16.  Towboat captain, was near bogue inlet heading to a call in hammock's beach when he heard the call and turned around and started heading that way.  

Meanwhile, operator1's vessel was quickly filling with water until it eventually capsized in bogue inlet, putting both men in the water.  Two by-standars saw what happened and headed toward the vessel.  One of the by-standars also called mayday on channel 16 and said he saw a boat flipped over and that two people were in the water.  

When towboat captain fuller arrived on scene both men had already been pulled out of the water by the good samaritans.  Captain then got a line on the vessel that had capsized and started towing it toward deeper water and then was able to flip the vessel right side up.  The vessel had to be towed back to beaufort because the current in the inlet was too rough to tow the vessel back to dudley's like Operator1 had requested.  Operator1 and occupant were taken to the coast guard station emerald isle to be checked out by emerald isle ems and then were released.  No one was injured during this incident and the estimated damage to the vessel was $5,000 along with $2,500 in other property damage such as fishing equipment, coolers, and gps unit.

********end of report******


BARDID: NC-2019-0023
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-05-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:24:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: NEW PORT RIVER
NearestCityorTown: BEAUFORT
County: CARTERET
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator1 stated that he was cruising in his cabin vessel down the newport river when the vessel grounded on a shoal located between the newport river and harlowe creek.  Operator1 stated the cause for the incident was due to following charts that were out of date and that the channel he was following was no longer the same channel on the charts he was looking at.  Operator1 stated that he believed the vessel was taking on water at the shaft, starboard rudder was bent,  starboard end of prop was bent, port drive shaft slightly bent and had also stated that he expected the damage total to be more than two thousand dollars in cost. 

(still under investigation)

*****this report will be updated upon completion of the investigation*********


BARDID: NC-2019-0024
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-04-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE GASTON
NearestCityorTown: HENRICO
County: NORTHAMPTON
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Weather
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator left pinewood acres in a canoe.  Operator was accompanied by her children subject1, and subject2.  Both children were initially in their own kayaks. The wind was blowing up to and possibly exceeding 15 mph.  Operator had difficulties steering the canoe.  Subject2 tied his kayak to subject1's kayak (diagram b), and then crossloaded into operator’s canoe to assist in paddling (diagram c).  Operator and subject2 were unable to steer the canoe in the wind.  

Waves began swamping the canoe.  Subject1 was able to land on the rocks just north of the dam gates where she beached the kayaks and ran for help.  Operator and subject2 were pushed up against the concrete wall just south of the dam gates where they held onto a buoy until rescue arrived (diagram d).  All three individuals were transported to halifax regional hospital for possible hypothermia and released the same day.


*******end of report******


BARDID: NC-2019-0026
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ROANOKE SOUND
NearestCityorTown: MANTEO
County: DARE
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday May 28, 2019 at approximately 5:00 PM, operator along with his three children were traveling Northeast out of Shallowbag Bay staying within the channel markers.  Operator1 was traveling 10 to 15 miles per hour, plowing through the water, not yet on plane.  Operator1 turned his vessel north to stay within the channel markers when a large sport fishing boat was approaching from the north following the channel.  

Operator1 did not want to cross the path of the vessel because it was moving at a higher rate of speed.  When the large fishing vessel came past Operator1 on his starboard side, he turned around to look at the boat knowing that a large wake was soon to follow. When Operator1 turned back around, he saw the channel marker G-31 in front of the boat and began to turn the wheel sharply to the right.  While turning the wheel to the right, he shifted into neutral trying to stop the vessel, but the momentum kept the vessel moving forward. 

 At the same time the wake hit the vessel and the vessel impacted the channel marker on the port side of the bow, punching a hole in the fiberglass and ripping the fiberglass as the channel marker slid down the side of the vessel.  Operator1's son was sitting in a seat at the point of impact but was uninjured and never shifted from his seat.  All children were wearing appropriate PFDs and all required safety items were on board.


******END OF REPORT*****


BARDID: NC-2019-0027
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: MOUNTAIN ISLAND LAKE
NearestCityorTown: HUNTERSVILLE
County: MECKLENBURG
WaterConditions: Calm
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Congested waters
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday, May 26, 2019 at approximately 5:30 PM, a vessel was traveling upstream on the Catawba River portion of Mountain Island Lake in Mecklenburg County. The vessel in question is a 1994 23' Four Winns 230 Horizon. Subject was towing a tube with two persons onboard at the time of the incident.

The vessel at the time of the incident had 7 total passengers onboard including the two passengers on the towable device. Subject was cruising North at approximately 18MPH when the incident occurred. The water temperature at the time of the incident was 80 degrees F and the air temperature was 94 degrees F. Subject cruised through the wakes created by another vessel. The wakes caused by this vessel were approximately 4 feet tall. The towable device occupied by the victim was outside of the wake of Subject's vessel and hit the 4ft swells. Victim, who was wearing a PFD, was thrown from the towable device at this time. Victim complained of neck pain and dizziness when he was recovered from the water. 

 In conclusion, Victim was taken to the hospital and given X-rays which were negative. He had a sore neck for two days. The large wakes from the oncoming wake boat were the direct cause of this incident. Subject had consumed a small amount of alcohol earlier in the day but alcohol was not a contributing factor in this boat incident. There were no charges filed against any party in this incident.

*******END OF REPORT*******


BARDID: NC-2019-0029
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-06-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE TILLERY
NearestCityorTown: MOUNT GILEAD
County: MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Choppy
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Congested waters
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On june 1, 2019 at approximately 1745 hours, a boating incident occurred in mount gilead, nc on lake tillery in montgomery county. The incident occurred on lake tillery in the mouth of the lily's bridge cove, just out from peninsula road in fairway shores. The vessel involved was a 22 foot, 2016 mastercraft nxt (vessel #1), ski boat with a 300 hp inboard motor. The boat has a starboard side console was operated by the owner. Operator1's wife was sitting in the front of the vessel at the bow. There were four other juvenile passengers on board during the time of the incident. The incident occurred when vessel #1, hit the wake of an unknown vessel causing occupant1 to bounce up and out of her seat. She then landed back in her seat impacting the seat and the gunwale. 

Operator1 and his family and friends were traveling back towards lily's bridge access area on lake tillery and had just entered the cove, traveling closer to the fairway shores community side. Upon entering the cove, traveling approximately 20 mph, operator1 recognized that there was a significant amount of boat traffic and that the waters were congested. There were several personal watercrafts maneuvering up ahead in the cove. Operator1 was in the process of passing or overtaking a pontoon boat that was traveling in the same direction on his starboard side. While overtaking the pontoon boat, operator1 was passed by another vessel on his port side that was traveling the opposite direction exiting the cove and entering the main channel.  At this time, vessel #1 struck a wake, from an unknown vessel that caused the vessel #1's bow to rise and forced occupant1 up and out of her seat. Vessel #1''s bow then lowered back into the water and occupant1 struck the seat she had just left, and the impact resulted in her injury. Occupant1 was immediately taken to shore at river wild restaurant and treated for an apparent back injury. She was then airlifted to carolina medical center-main in charlotte, nc. Occupant1 was hospitalized for a total of 5 days and required a spinal fusion surgery to correct the fractured l2 vertebrae, sustained from the incident.

It appears that this boating incident was a result of congested waters caused by increased boating activity, at the mouth of lily''s bridge cove. Occupant1 was the only occupant on board that sustained any injuries. All required boating safety items were on board vessel #1 and it appears that alcohol and drugs were not a factor in the incident. No one was charged as a result of this incident.


BARDID: NC-2019-0030
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-06-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 03:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: TUCKERTOWN RESERVOIR
NearestCityorTown: DENTON
County: DAVIDSON
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On june 1, 2019, at approximately 03:00 am, a boating incident occurred on tuckertown reservoir. The incident occurred south of the wildlife boating access area off bringle ferry rd near the davidson county shorline in denton, nc. The vessel is a 16-foot, 1987 glassstream bass boat with a 50 hp outboard motor. The boat had a starboard-side console and was owned by operator. His two friends were passengers onboard the boat when the incident occurred. The boat struck submergerd rocks and operator1 was unable to maneuver out of the rocks. After the boat struck submerged rocks the motor cut off.  Operator1 was unable to start the motor again. 

The three friends had been fishing on tuckertown reservoir near the high rock dam the night before. They decided to move to a new location early saturday morning and headed south past the bringle ferry rd. Bridge and the wildlife access area where they had launched the boat. Operator1 estimated that the boat was traveling under 10 mph when the boat struck submerged rocks.  Operator1 attempted to maneuver the boat out of the rocks when the motor cut off.  They attempted to rock the boat to get the boat out of the rocks without success.  Subject1 stated she then called 911 for help since the boat motor would not turn on, and the dam generated current was strong causing water to fill the back area of the boat.  Local fire departments arrived at the wildlife access area off bringle ferry rd. To assist. A fire department boat safely towed the vessel back to the access.

I arrived on scene to investigate this incident at approximately 04:20 am. Upon arrival, wildlife officer was already gathering information from the three passengers onboard the boat and photographing the damage to the underside of the boat. There are multiple scratches, dents, and chunks of fiberglass missing from the underside hull portion of the boat.  I asked each passenger to fill out a witness statement form.  Operator1 also filled out a mb 4.1. I asked the group if they were wearing life jackets and they all stated they were.  Operator1 also stated his navigation lights were functioning and they were turned on.  Officer walker performed a safety check on the boat and operator1 did not have a type iv (throwable) cushion onboard. 

This incident took place due to operator1's boat striking submerged rocks.  Drugs and alcohol were not factors contributing to this boating incident. Operator1's boat was equipped with an approved fire extinguisher and the appropriate number of type iii life jackets. I issued operator1 a warning ticket for not having a type iv pfd.

**********end of report*******


BARDID: NC-2019-0031
State: NC
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-06-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE NORMAN
NearestCityorTown: MOORESVILLE
County: IREDELL
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On june 22, 2019 at approximately 2:00 pm, a boating incident occurred on lake norman 0.4 of a mile-southwest of mccrary creek access area in mooresville, nc.  The vessel was an 11-foot, 2019 bombardier personal watercraft with a 300 hp inboard motor.

operator1 (operator) launched the vessel at mccrary creek access area. Operator1 and occupant (occupant) were on the vessel traveling towards the hwy 150 bridge to the blue parrot (restaurant).  As they passed the no-wake zone for the access area, operator1 increased the acceleration to over 60 mph. 

Occupant stated that she asked operator1 to slow down twice, which he did.  The third time she asked him to slow down he didn't.  He jumped a wake and as they landed on a second wake, occupant and operator1 both were ejected off the vessel.  They both got back on the vessel and proceeded to the restaurant.  

While at the restaurant, occupant was having problems breathing and had a swelling ankle.  They went to lake norman regional medical center where she was diagnosed with a sprained ligament of her left ankle, contusion of her left front wall of thorax, sprains on both middle fingers, and a strain of muscle, fascia and tendon at neck level.  The next day, occupant went to novant health for a second opinion of her injuries.  This opinion noted a muscle strain and herniated cervical disc.

*****end of report*****


