UPON INVESTIGATION, FROM INTERVIEWS WITH OPERATORS, AND OTHER WITNESSES, AND EVIDENCE FROM BOAT DAMAGE; operator1 WAS OPERATING A 19' OPEN MOTORBOAT ON THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY, TRAVELING SOUTH (WEST) NEAR MARKER #67.  HE HAD ONE PASSENGER ON BOARD FROM TENNESSEE. Operator2 WAS OPERATING A 19' OPEN MOTORBOAT, TRAVELING NORTH (EAST) NEAR MARKER #67, ALSO NEAR SUMMERPLACE BOAT LANDING.  OPERATOR2 HAD TWO PASSENGERS ON BOARD, HIS WIFE, AND STEPDAUGHTER.  OPERATOR1 HAD TURNED AROUND FACING THE REAR OF HIS BOAT, AND HAD DRIFTED OVER TO THE MIDDLE, OR LEFT SIDE OF THE WATERWAY (INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC).  OPERATOR2 OBSERVED OPERATOR1 COMING INTO HIS PATH, AND STEERED LEFT TO TRY TO AVOID OPERATOR1.  OPERATOR1 TURNED TO THE FRONT, AND SAW THE ONCOMING BOAT AT THE LAST MOMENT, AND MADE A QUICK TURN TO THE RIGHT TO TRY TO AVOID THE COLLISION.  THE TWO BOATS COLLIDED ON THE STARBOARD (RIGHT) SIDE OF BOTH VESSEL.  OPERATOR2 CAME UP ONTO OPERATOR1, STRIKING THE METAL T-TOP.  Occupant on boat2 WAS THROWN INTO THE WATER WITH BACK INJURIES FROM THE COLLISION.  THE OPERATORS, AND OTHER PASSENGERS REMAINED INT HE BOATS WITH VARIOUS INJURIES. Occupant on boat2 WAS WEARING A PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE, AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION.  BOTH BOATS WERE FOUND TO HAVE THE PROPER SAFETY EQUIPMENT ON BOARD.  ALCOHOL WAS FOUND TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE BOATING COLLISION.  OPERATOR1'S BLOOD ALCOHOL WAS FOUND TO BE .236 AT BRUNSWICK COUNTY HOSPITAL.  OPERATOR1 WAS CHARGED WITH RECKLESS AND NEGLIGENT OPERATION, AND BOATING WHILE IMPAIRED.
HOLDEN BEACH                  