On wednesday, november 2, 2011, at approximately 10:00am, a vessel struck the surf city bridge.  Operator was operating a 36 foot grand banks cabin motorboat named "satisfaction".  The vessel was traveling south on the atlantic icw near the town of surf city, nc.  As Operator was waiting for the bridge to open, other vessels started to crowd around him.  Operator maneuvered the "satisfaction" in order to avoid a collision with other vessels.  When Operator began to maneuver his vessel, he turned the "satisfaction" parallel to the bridge.  As the vessel turned sideways, it was caught by the current and pushed into the bridge.  Operator tried to power the vessel in order to avoid a collision, but it did no good.  The mast and boom on the "satisfaction" were broken, two windows were also shattered.  Operator made contact with the bridge tender who advised that an inspection was done to the bridge, but no damage occurred.  Operator also contacted the coast guard; the "satisfaction" was later boarded and passed an inspection.  The "satisfaction" is a federally registered vessel #673140, out of connecticut.  No injuries were reported.
SURF CITY                     