V1 WENT AROUND BOWDITCH POINT, CHANNEL MARKER 5, AND THE V1 OPERATOR STATED THAT HE PUT THE VESSEL ON AUTO-PILOT. HE STATED THAT HE LOOKED DOWN TO MAKE AN ENTRY INTO THE CAPTAIN'S LOG. WHEN HE LOOKED UP, THE VESSEL WAS ON A COLLISION COURSE WITH CHANNEL MARKER 3. V1 OPERATOR ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT HIS COURSE, HOWEVER HE WAS NOT ABLE TO AVOID THE COLLISION. THE VESSEL MADE CONTACT WITH CHANNEL MARKER 3 ON THE STARBOARD BOW. V1 OPERATOR REMAINED ON SCENE AND NOTIFIED USCG OF THE ACCIDENT.
FT MYERS BEACH                