ON OCTOBER 7, 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:50AM, Operator WAS OPERATING VESSEL 1 NORTHBOUND ON FIGURE 8 ISLAND CANAL WHEN HE COLLIDED INTO BOAT LIFT AND DOCK.  Operator AND HIS PASSENGER REPORTED WHILE CRUISING TO THEIR NEXT FISHING LOCATION, A PLASTIC BAG BLEW INTO Operator1's LINE OF VISION.  AS HE ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER THE BAG, HE MISTAKENLY HIT THE THROTTLE CAUSING THE BOAT TO JERK FORWARD AND PULL TO THE RIGHT AT AN INCREASED SPEED.  Subject REPORTED THAT ONCE OPerator REMOVED THE PLASTIC BAG FROM HIS VISION, HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO MANEUVER THE BOAT AWAY FROM THE BOAT LIFT AND DOCK BEFORE COLLIDING.  THIS COLLISION RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE TO BOAT # NC6926DS, THE DOCKED BOAT #NC6995DA, THE BOAT LIFT AND THE DOCK.  OPerator suffeRED MULTIPLE INJURIES TO HIS HEAD AND FACE.  HE WAS TRANSPORTED VIA EMS TO NEW HANOVER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER WHERE HE RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT.  NO CHARGES WERE MADE IN THIS INVESTIGATION.

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THE DAMAGE AMOUNT TO THE DOCKED VESSEL AND BOAT LIFT AND DOCK ARE UNKNOWN
WILMINGTON                    