On august 10, 2011, i responded to a boat accident that occurred on the icw in the shallotte inlet.  I met officer of ocean isle beach pd near the wildlife boat ramp in ocean isle beach.  Officer gave me a written statement he had taken from the operator.  I then spoke with the operator of the boat.  Operator stated he was pulling his nephew on a tube behind his boat.  He stated as they were entering shallotte inlet heading south on the icw, he noticed a stationary carolina skiff fishing in the center of the channel.  Operator stated he reduced speed to maneuver around the stationary vessel.

While attempting to get around the vessel and back towards the middle of the channel, tuber being pulled behind the boat, collided with the carolina skiff.  The individuals in the carolina skiff assisted in getting tuber out of the water.  Operator brought tuber to the police ramp at ocean isle beach and ems was called.  Tuber was transported to brunswick regional medical center where he was treated for a broken vertebrae in his back.  tuber was wearing a uscg approved pfd at the time of the accident and alcohol was not a factor.  

The second vessel involved in the incident was not available at the scene with no way of making contact with the operator.  No other information is available on the second vessel.

OCEAN ISLE BEACH              