On july 14, 2013, at approximately 2:30pm, operator was operating his aqua blue and white colored 2013 model ranger 2310 bay fiberglass motorboat, vessel 1, on the icw about one mile west of the hwy 59 bridge in emerald isle, nc.  Along with operator there were five adults and two 16 year old passengers on board the vessel.  Operator was cruising at approximately 40 mph on the icw headed west when he met an oncoming 40-45 foot yacht cruising down the icw headed east throwing a four to five foot wake.  The large yacht passed on vessel 1's port side.  Operator slowed down vessel 1 to a speed of approximately 15 mph.  According to operator, he slowed down just enough to keep his boat on plane and turned vessel 1 to the port to minimize the impact from the large wake created by the yacht.  Operator wanted to turn vessel 1 to the starboard to avoid the large wake,l but the channel was too narrow.  Upon hitting one of the -5 ft wakes created from the yacht's wake, vessel 1 came up and slammed down considerably hard.  
The impact from hitting the large wave caused occupant, who was sitting on the seat located in front of vessel 1's center console to bounce up and slam down on the edge of the seat.  Moments after the impact with the large wake, operator noticed occupant screaming in pain.  Operator continued heading west down the icw just a few hundred yards when he noticed a coast guard patrol vessel traveling towards them.  Operator and the passengers were able to flag down the coast guard vessel.  The medic on board the coast guard vessel immediately began assisting the injured passenger.  The coast guard crew attached their patrol boat to vessel 1 and began giving occupant medical assistance.  The coast guard crew was able to get occupant comfortable and escorted vessel 1 to the ncwrc boating access area located at cedar point, nc.  Ems then transported occupant to the carteret general hospital where she was examined and treated for a fractured l4 vertebrae.  There were no injuries reported from any of the other passengers on board vessel 1.
CEDAR POINT