V1 WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON THE ICW, JUST SOUTH OF THE SOUTHERN BLVD BRIDGE IN PALM BEACH.  V1 WAS DOING APPROXIMATELY 6 KNOTS, BEFORE COMING TO NEUTRAL 50 YARDS BEFORE THE BRIDGE.  THE TIDE WAS AN OUTGOING TIDE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 3 KNOTS.  V1 OPERATOR DRIFTED TOO CLOSE TO THE BRIDGE BEFORE THE BRIDGE HAD OPENED.  V1 OPERATOR REPORTED TO THE BRIDGE TENDER THAT HE WAS HAVING ENGINE TROUBLE.  V1 CONTINUED WITH THE CURRENT AND MOMENTUM OF THE BOAT AND STRUCK THE EAST SIDE BRIDGE FENDER ON THE FORWARD STARBOARD BOW.  V1 THEN VEERED TO PORT STRIKING THE UPPER STRUCTURE OF THE VESSEL CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.
PALM BEACH                    