V1 WAS APPROACHING SALTSMAN BRIDGE FROM THE SOUTH. AS THEY WERE APPROACHING, THE OPERATOR DECREASED SPEED WHILE MAKING A STARBOARD TURN TO LINE THE VESSEL UP TO PASS UNDER THE HIGHWAY 90 BRIDGE. V1 CLEARED THE FIRST SET OF PILINGS, BUT THE OPERATOR FAILED TO SEE THAT THE SECOND SET OF PILINGS WERE OFFSET FROM THE FIRST, AND THAT V1 WAS ON A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH THE SECOND SET. THE OPERATOR TOOK EVASIVE ACTIONS BY MAKING A SHARP TURN TO PORT, BUT V1 STILL MADE CONTACT WITH THE PILINGS. THE VESSEL STRUCK THE PILINGS ON IT'S STARBOARD SIDE LIFTING THE BOW INTO THE AIR EJECTING THE PASSENGER. THE JOLT OF THE COLLISION RIPPED THE TRANSOM AND OUTBOARD MOTOR OFF THE VESSEL. THE OPERATOR REALIZED THE VESSEL WAS FILLING UP WITH WATER AND DECIDED TO JUMP INTO THE WATER. THE OPERATOR AND PASSENGER SWAM TO SHORE AND RECEIVED TREATMENT FROM AN OFF-DUTY EMT.
PACE                          