AT 5:45 PM ON 5-23-2009 THE OPERATER OF VESSEL 1, WAS ENJOYING HIS DAY WITH  FRIENDS AND FAMILY ON A BOAT RIGHT OFF OF MASONBORO ISLAND.  TWO GUYS THAT RODE WITH HIM ON VESSEL 1 WHERE PARTING ON ANOTHER BOAT THAT WAS ANCHORED.  OPERATOR CALLED TO THE TWO MEN TO COME BACK TO THEIR BOAT SO THAT THEY COULD LEAVE.  SUBJECT JUMPED INTO THE WATER FROM THE ANCHORED BOAT AND STARTED SWIMMING BACK TO OPERATOR.  OPERATOR WAS MANEUVERING VESSEL 1 NC 7438 WT CLOSER TO SUBJECT.  WHILE OPERATOR WAS OPERATING VESSEL 1 IN REVERSE, SUBJECT WAS SWIMMING TO THE STERN OF VESSEL 1.  SUBJECT WAS STUCK BY THE PROP OF VESSEL 1 WHILE OPERATOR WAS OPERATING THE VESSEL IN REVERSE.  OPERATOR THEN TURNED OFF THE ENGINE TO VESSEL 1 WHEN HE HEARD SUBJECT SCREAMING FOR HELP.  OPERATOR CALLED 911.  NEW HANOVER COUNTY SHERRIFF DEPARTMENT AND USCG RESPONDED TO THE SITE.  OPERATOR PERFORMED SFST AND DID NOT COMPLETE AS I DIRECTED.  OPERATOR WAS ARRESTED AND TAKEN TO WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT.  BLOOD WAS TAKEN FROM OPERATOR AT WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT BYT NEW HANOVER COUNTY EMS AND SENT TO SBI FOR FURTHER TESTING.  IT WAS SUNNY AND CLEAR THAT DAY.
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH            