Operator1 was leaving Sinking Creek and returning to the public boat ramp at Concord Park.  As he approached the Northshore Drive bridge he noticed there were three boats stationary/fishing under the bridge.  Two boats were to the left and one was to the right.  As he proceeded at idle speed under the middle section of the bridge a large cabin cruiser boat appeared from down river and headed toward Operator1 at a high rate of speed.  Operator1 turned his boat sharply to the right and throttled up to avoid a collision.  Both boats had navigation lights illuminated.  After the boat passed Operator1 turned his boat back to the left to avoid the bridge pillar.  At the same time the wake from the cabin cruiser pushed Operator1 boat into the bridge pillar.  Contact was made on the starboard rub rail just behind the operators seat.  The rub rail was damaged and the fiberglass was cracked, There was also induced damage from the fiberglass flexing.  Striations and cracking were visible away from the impacted area.
KNOXVILLE                     