RedactedNarrative: On Saturday, November 12th, at approximately 2:15pm, Operator and Occupant were headed south on the Cape Fear River coming from Black River Cove headed to Castle St. in Wilmington.  Operator was driving his bass boat and had just went under the powerlines south of the old Dupont ditch when he struck a submerged object.  
  
  Operator estimated his speed at about 60 mph, when he struck the object.  Both Operator and Occupant were ejected from the vessel at the time of impact when their vessel made a sharp turn and neither were wearing a PFD. Once in the water, they both headed towards the southern shore of the river.  After making it to land, Operator decided to re-enter the river to retrieve a cell phone that was in the vessel.  Operator swam out to the vessel using a log as a floatation device.  Operator reached the vessel and pulled himself inside where he retrieved the cell phone.  
  
  Operator dialed 911 and reported the situation before he lost service.  (witness) was also headed toward Castle St. in Wilmington when he rounded the corner where the incident occurred. Witness noticed two men in distress and immediately rendered aid and took the injured Occupant back to the boat ramp in Wilmington.  Once back on land, New Hanover EMS took Occupant to New Hanover Regional Medical Center for possible broken ribs and hypothermia.  Witness then returned to the scene of the incident and took Operator to the boat ramp.  When Operator arrived at the ramp, he was interviewed by EMS but refused to be transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center. 
  
  Operator' vessel was towed back to the ramp at Castle St. by New Hanover County Fire Department.  The motor of his vessel was underneath the hull when the fire department arrived, and during the tow back, the motor fell off the boat completely.  Also, the power pole on the port side of the motor was damaged during the incident.
  
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