ON JULY 19, 2013, operator CONTACTED ME AND REPORTED THAT HE HAD STRUCK AN UNDERWATER FISHING NET WHILE OPERATING HIS BOAT ON THE ICW NEAR LOCKWOOD FOLLEY INLET ON JULY 17, 2013.  HE STATED HE FELT THE ENGINE HIT SOMETHING BUT IT WASN'T VERY SOLID AND HE KEPT ON GOING.  OPERATOR SAID HE CONTINUED TRAVELING TO INLET VIEW RESTAURANT IN SHALLOTTE AND DROPPED SOME PASSENGERS OFF FOR SUPPER.  AS HE WAS DOCKING HIS BOAT, HE NOTICED HIS ENGINE WASN'T RESPONSIVE.  HE TRIMMED THE ENGINE OUT OF THE WATER AND NOTICED PART OF A FISHING NET WRAPPED AROUND HIS PROP.  OPERATOR CALLED A FRIEND TO COME PICK HIM UP AT THE RESTAURANT  HE HAD HIS BOAT CHECKED OUT THE NEXT DAY AT OCEAN ISLE MARINA WHERE THEY STATED THE NET CAUSED THE GEARS IN THE LOWER UNIT TO FAIL.  THE INITIAL ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR WAS $2,240.  NO ONE ON BOARD WAS INJURED IN THIS INCIDENT.
VARNUMTOWN