ON AUGUST 27, 2009 operator WAS INVOLVED IN A BOATING ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN NEAR OCEN CREST FISHING PIER.  OPERATOR'S BOAT RAN OUT OF GAS RIGHT BESIDE THE OCEAN CREST FISHING PIER.  OPERATOR ANCHORED HIS BOAT AND DECIDED TO SWIM TO SHORE.  ONCE HE REACHED THE BEACH, HE GOT A RIDE TO THE GAS STATION AND BOUGHT A COUPLE OF GALLONS OF GAS.  WHEN HE RETURNED TO HIS BOAT, THE ANCHOR HAD DRUG AND THE BOAT WAS NOW ANCHORED NEAR THE BREAKERS JUST OFF THE BEACH.  OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO SWIM BACK TO HIS BOAT AND PUT THE TWO GALLONS OF GAS IN THE GAS TANK.  OPERATOR PULLED THE ANCHOR AND TRIED TO START THE BOAT.  WHILE TRYING TO START THE ENGINE, OPERATOR WAS THROWN OUT OF THE BOAT BY ONE OF THE BIG BREAKERS CRASHING ON THE BEACH.  ONCE THROWN FROM THE BOAT, THE VESSEL ROSE UP ON A WAVE AND CAME DOWN STRIKING OPERATOR.  OPERATOR WAS TREATED AT DOSHER HOSPITAL AND AIR LIFTED TO NEW HANOVER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.
OAK ISLAND                    