On july 29, 2011, two operators were operating pwcs in the currituck sound that they had rented from nor'banks sailing center located in duck, nc.  Nor'banks sailing center has a 1 square mile block that is marked with buoys for the operation of their pwcs that are rented.  Operator1 was operating his pwc, vessel 1, southeast at an angle from one side of the boundary for the pwc course to the other down the currituck sound.  Operator2 was operating his pwc, vessel 2, east straight down the middle of the pwc course.  While both operators were driving they did not see any other pwc or boats around them.  Both operators were traveling at speeds above 20mph.  At approximately 5:15pm Operator1 and Operator2 struck one another while operating their pwcs.  According to statements made by both operators, they did not see any other pwcs or boats around them until they hit one another.  Operator1 stated that he was riding along and all of a sudden he saw out of the corner of his eye, Operator2's pwc, and he tried to jump off of his pwc but in the process his pwc was struck on the portside of Operator2's pwc.  Operator2 stated that he did not see anybody until all of a sudden he was struck in the bow by Operator1's pwc.  When both pwcs hit one another, Operator2 was thrown off of his pwc approximately 15 feet into the water.  Operator1 had jumped off his pwc at the point of contact.  Neither Operator2 nor Operator1 were seriously injured and received no medical attention.  There were no witnesses to this accident at the time of contact.  Both Operator2 and Operator1 were wearing type iii pfds at the time of the accident.  The cause of this accident is believed to be operator inexperience, operator inattention, and improper lookout for both persons.  With the evidence that is given, it is unclear to who is at fault since both operators stated they did not see any other pwcs or boats around until they struck one another in the currituck sound.  Since it was unclear to who was at fault, there were no charges filed in this accident.  Alcohol and/or drugs were not a contributing factor in this accident.

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Please note:  the owner of the vessels is barrier island boats.  Nor'banks sailing center is the company that rents out the vessels that were involved in this accident.

DARE                          