EPO followed up on an boating accident that occurred on October 8, 2013 in Block Island Sound. There were 2 vessels involved, Vessel 1 was a 30’ catamaran  and Vessel 2 was a 63’ F/V , "Virginia Marise".  Both vessels collided while the F/V was engaged in fishing activity.  Operator2 (operator of f/v) stated that they had just brought in their nets and were culling fish and headed back to Pt. Judith at 4 knots.  He recalled seeing the sailboat at a safe distance.  While on the deck Operator2 felt the collision, looked up and saw the catamaran’s starboard ama had struck the port bow of the F/V, pivoted off the bow and slid to the starboard side of F/V striking the bow with its port ama.  (operator of the catamaran) told Off. that he was down below in his cabin and that his boat was on auto pilot.  He said that he did not remember 1 to 3 minutes prior to the collision. Operator2 of the F/V Virginia Marise was on the deck sorting his catch and not in the wheelhouse at the time of the collision. It appears neither operators had maintained a proper lookout as Operator was below deck and Operator2 was aft on his deck sorting fish.
PT. JUDITH