Owner of vessel #1 stated in effect: I was aboard my vessel sleeping when I was awakened by a big crash.  I went topside and saw a white approximately 40 foot sailboat had crashed into my port side.  I could hear his engine running.  I was standing on my deck yelling at  him when he put the engine in reverse and pulled his vessel away causing more damage.  He backed up, put his boat in forward and kept going like nothing had happened.  When I emailed he was trying to get away, I went below and hailed the Coast Guard on VHF Radio.  I watched the boat that hit me head out the inlet.
 
Operator of vessel #2 stated in effect:  I was anchored overnight (same anchorage as vessel #1) and pulled my anchor early this morning, around 4:40 AM.   headed out the inlet and was going south towards Cape May.  The Coast  Guard came and got me and directing me to this location . My boat was not involved in any accident  and I did not hit the other vessel. The marks on my boat are from hitting docks while docking in the past.
 
Investigation revealed:  Both vessels were anchored/moored in a location near Barnegat Light known as Meers Hole.  As vessel #2 was leaving the area it struck vessel #1 on the port side amidships causing damage. Vessel #2 then left the area, but was later found by the Coast Guard outside of Barnegat  Inlet.  he operator was directed to return to the area.  I first spoke To the operator of vessel #2. He was very vague when questioned about the accident continually saying he was not involved and his boat did not hit anything. He could not explain the damage to his vessel only stating it was not new and must have happened when he  hit a dock while docking his boat a previous times .
 
The Coast Guard advised  the damage was consistent with damage to vessel #1. They further advised that there were no other vessels in the area when this occurred. I then spoke to the owner of vessel #1.  He furnished the above statement. I escorted him to location of vessel #2 and he identified it as the vessel that struck his.
 
I then went to vessel #1 where it remained moored.  The damage on vessel #1 was consistent with the marking on vessel #2. The Damage on vessel #2 consisted of fresh scuff marks and gouging along the bow area above the water line. The bow railing was bent upwards on the starboard side. The anchor, which protruded from the bow area on the ort side, had a small scrape in the metal exposing bright, fresh, galvanized material.  The mark was not weather.
 
The operator of vessel #2  was issued summons for careless operation and not having  a Boating Safety  Certificate.

Barnegat Light                