VESSEL #1 WAS TRAVELING IN THE ICW/NEW RIVER.  ANOTHER VESSEL OVERTOOK VESSEL #1.  THE WAKE FROM THE OVERTAKING VESSEL CAUSED VESEL #1 TO VEER STARBOARD IN TO THE WAKE.  THE WAKE CAUSED A RAPID CHANGE IN DIRECTION IN VESSEL #1.

THE FATHER OF THE INJURED GIRL WAS DRIVING THE VESSEL.  THE INJURED GIRL WAS SITTING IN HER MOTHER'S LAP IN THE SEAT TO THE REAR PORT OF THE VESSEL.  THE GRANDMOTHER WAS SITTING IN THE REAR STARBOARD SEAT.  WHEN THE VESSEL CHANGED DIRECTION RAPIDLY IT THREW THE MOTHER FROM THE VESSEL.  THE INJURED GIRL WAS CAUGHT BY THE CLEAT ON THE REAR PORT SIDE OF THE VESSEL.  IT CAUSED A 12 CM ADOMINAL LACERATION.  THE LACERATION WAS ONLY THROUGH HER SKIN AND FATTIE TISSUE.  IT DID NOT PUNCTURE THE MUSCLE OR ORGANS.  SHE WAS ALSO CAUGHT ON THE CLEAT BY HER PFD.  THE CHILD WAS WEARING AN APPROPRIATE TYPE THREE PFD.  THE MOTHER DID NOT HAVE ANY INJURIES NEEDING MEDICAL CARE NOR DID ANYONE ELSE.  THE CHILD'S PFD WAS A TYPE III RATED FOR 30 LBS.  THE VESSEL WAS EQUIPED WITH ALL THE NESSESSARY SAFTEY EQUIPMENT.  THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANY ERROR IN THE OPERATOR.  THERE WAS NO VIOLATION.  ALCOHOL WAS NOT INVOLVED.  THERE WERE NO OTHER PARTIES INVOLVED.
NORTH TOPSAIL                 