OFFICE RECEIVED A REPORT OF A BOAT ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED THURSDAY JUNE 25TH, AROUND 6AM.  THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED A VESSEL STRIKING THE OREGON INLET BRIDGE.  OFFICER MET WITH THE OPERATOR OF VESSEL #1.  OPERATOR STATED THAT HE WAS HEADING WEST OUT INTO THE OCEAN AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO NAVIGATE THREW THE BRIDGE.  THE BRIDGE HAS BEEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THIS YEAR AND THE MAIN CHANNEL IS CLOSED, SO VESSELS MUST USE THE SOUTH SPAN.  OPERATOR STATED THAT THERE WAS A BARGE TIED UP IN THE SOUTH SPAN.  HE ATTEMPTED TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THE SPAN WHEN THE CURRENT STARTED PULLING HIM TOWARDS THE BRIDGE PILE, THE VESSEL THEN STRUCK THE PILE.  THE VESSEL HAD SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT SIDE JUST ABOVE THE WATER LINE.  THE BOAT WAS ESCORTED TO WANCHESE AND PULLED FROM THE WATER FOR REPAIR.

NO CHARGES WERE FILED DUE TO HAZARDOUS WATERS.
NAGS HEAD                     