ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011, AT APPROXIMATELY 5:45AM, THERE WAS A BOATING ACCIDENT ON THE CAPE FEAR RIVER.  Operators WERE BOTH HEADING TOWARD THE MOUTH OF THE CAPE REAR RIVER WHEN THE TWO BOATS COLLIDED.  BOTH OPERATORS ADVISED THAT THEY SAW EACH OTHER AT THE LAST MINUTE AND SWERVED AWAY FROM EACH OTHER.  THE BOWS OF THE BOATS COLLIDED BEFORE THE MANEUVER COULD BE MADE.  Operator1 ADVISED THAT OPerator2 WAS PASSING HIM WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.  Operator2 ADVISED THAT Operator1 WAS PASSING HIM WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.  AFTER THE ACCIDENT, Operator2 WAS ABLE TO GET ONE ENGINE CRANKED AND MADE IT BACK TO THE BOAT RAMP.  I RECEIVED Operator2's INFORMATION ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2011.  AFTER THE ACCIDENT, Operator1 CONTINUED FISHING THE REST OF THE DAY IN THE OCEAN AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET HIS INFORMATION UNTIL SEPTEMBER 4, 2011.  NO ALCOHOL WAS INVOLVED IN THIS ACCIDENT AND NO CHARGES WERE ISSUED.

BOTH OPERATORS STATED THEY WERE DISPLAYING NAVIGATION LIGHTS AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
OAK ISLAND                    