Boat accident report narrative – nc-2013-0121

On thursday, july 4, 2013, at approximately 7:30pm, Operator1 was operating a 14 foot lowe aluminum jon boat, vessel 1, with a 25 hp johnson tiller drive motor on the northeast cape fear river in castle hayne, nc.  Operator1 was traveling down river toward wilmington from the castle hayne boat ramp where Operator1 had launched his vessel.  Operator1 had one passenger in his vessel, his girlfriend and mother of his children.  Operator1 was sitting in a seat mounted on the starboard side of the rear bench of the lowe boat.  Victim is believed to have been sitting on the middle bench of the port side of the vessel.

Victim’s brother, was following Operator1’s vessel.  Victim’s brother had three passengers in his vessel including his two juvenile sons and the 12 year old daughter of victim and Operator1.  Victim’s brother was operating his vessel behind and to the starboard side of Operator1’s vessel.  Victim’s brother advised that he was traveling down the center of the river, and Operator1 was operating his vessel between Victim’s brother’s vessel and the port side river bank.

Operator2 was operating a 17 foot center console trition, vessel 2, traveling up the northeast cape fear river at the same time.  Operator2’s vessel was carrying three passengers, wife, daughter; and his 12 year old grandson.  Operator2 was stand behind the center console.  Wife was sitting on the starboard side behind the center console.  Operator2’s 12 year old grandson was sitting on the portside behind the center console.  Daughter was sitting on the seat directly in front of the center console.

When Operator2 approached the sharp curve in the river just below riverside park, he viewed vessel 1 traveling in the opposite direction.  Operator2 changed the direction of his vessel and steered vessel 2 starboard toward the inside of this curve to avoid vessel 1.  Operator1 turned his vessel to the port side toward the inside of this same curve.  Operator2 advised that vessel 1 was “skipping” across the water.  Vessel 1 and vessel 2 collided near the inside of this curve.  Initial contact was with the starboard side bow of vessel 1 striking the port side bow of vessel 2.  Vessel 2 then overrode vessel 1.

Victim’s brother, who was following behind vessel1 observed what happened.  He boarded Operator1’s vessel and sat Operator1 up to keep his face out of the water and called 911.  He and v2 occupant began cpr on victim.  They floated over to the bank near wirth wells’ boat dock where emergency services met them.  victim was pronounced dead on the scene.  Operator1 was transported to new hanover regional medical center in critical condition where sergeant obtained a blood sample for testing at 9:25 pm.  In the boat there were seven unopened bud light cans and one unopened sex on the beach can.
CASTLE HAYNE