On july 25, 2010 at approx. 2000 hrs i was contacted by kentcom about a boat accident near sharks cove marina in fenwick island, sussex county, delaware.  I contacted the victim at atlantic general hospital about some injuries she had due to another vessel wake.  She seemed very upset when i spoke with her over the phone, but stated around 1800 hrs while she was trying to get off her boat she had seen a parasailing boat come through the slow no wake zone in the fenwick ditch at a speed greater than slow no wake.  The wake caused the boat to tip, making her lose her balance and fall backwards against the side of the boat causing her to injure her back, neck, and head.  She called sharks cove marina after her husband watched the boat dock there, after it went by creating the wake, to file a complaint.  She was taken to atlantic general hospital by her husband where she was treated and released with contusions on her head, neck, and back.  

On july 28, 2010 i interviewed (victim’s husband) which stated that he had seen the parasailing boat creating a wake in the no wake zone that caused the injuries to his wife.  He also stated that he watched the boat return to the sharks cove marina dock after going by them.

On  july 29, 2010 i interviewed the suspect in this accident and violation.  He stated he was operating the vessel on july 25, 2010 at the time of the incident.  He said he remembered there were numerous boats coming through the area at the same time he was trying to beat a thunder storm that was coming.  He also stated, without being asked, that he was going faster than he normally does through the slow no wake zone at harpoon hannahs.  After i checked on the paperwork for his vessel the operator stated that he had to go faster to drive into the wind that had picked up to a speed of around 40 mph (his estimate).

Under the division regulation 99 23 3100 0062 the operator of any vessel on the waters of this state shall be legally responsible for injuries, damages to life, limb, or property caused by his/her vessel or vessel wake.

FENWICK ISLAND                