On 10/30/13 at approximately 1400 hrs on Dunn's Creek in Putnam County, FL a two vessel accident occurred involving a 16 ft Monarch (V-1) and a 17 Ft Ranger (V-2). V-1 was traveling west on Dunn's Creek and V-2 was traveling east on Dunn's Creek. Due to the maneuvers of the vessel operators, the accident resulted in property damage in excess of 2,000 dollars. The accident caused no injuries.

V-1 was heading west on Dunn's Creek and approaching a curve in the river that was on the vessel's port side. V-2 was heading east on Dunn's Creek and was approaching the same curve which was on V-2's starboard side. Both vessels were on plane and came into a head-on situation. V-1 immediately turned to starboard in an attempt to give-way. V-2 at the same time turned to port or towards the center of the river putting the vessels on a head-on situation again. V-1 turned port in an attempt to avoid collision V-2 simultaneously turned hard starboard and the vessels were on a path of collision. V-1 turned starboard again to the center of the river V-1's front port bow struck V-2's port aft side. No injuries were sustained by any of the operators or occupants.
         Damage assessment:
          V-1's bow eye struck the fiberglass and separated the top cap mold from the hull. There were stress cracks in the fiberglass from the top to the bottom of the gunwale on the port aft of V-2. V-2 was left with a hole in its shell and a large amount of stress in the hull from the flexing of the hull during impact. 
V-1 received minor damage to the bottom of its aluminum hull. The bottom of V-1 on the port front side had the aluminum impressed in approximately two inches over a 24 inch section resulting from impact. Paint transfer on the bow eye and the front port side was consistent with the impact area on V-2.
SATSUMA