RedactedNarrative: SYNOPSIS
  On 05/29/2020, at approximately 1216 hours, upon the waters of the state located at Hillsboro Inlet, operator was inbound on his Nautic Star (recreational vessel) when he ran aground the false inlet located on the northside of Hillsboro Inlet. Operator1’s approximate speed was 10-20 miles per hour (mph).
  
  INTERVIEWS
  On 05/29/2020, I interviewed operator of vessel 1. Operator1 stated that it was only his third time operating out of Hillsboro Inlet and he misjudged where the opening was located. This caused Operator1 to run aground at the false inlet located on the northside of Hillsboro Inlet.
  
  ACCIDENT SCENE DESCRIPTION 
  The accident occurred on the northside of Hillsboro Inlet. The wind conditions were 0-6 mph that afternoon. 
  
  VESSEL DESCRIPTION
  
  Vessel 1: 2020, 25 foot in length fiberglass hull open motorboat. The hull identification number is JNT31665G920. The Florida Registration number is FL 5924 SN and is current until September 2020. The vessel is powered by 250 horsepower outboard motor.
  
  ACCIDENT ANALYSIS 
  
  PRE-ACCIDENT
  Vessel 1 was inbound headed towards Hillsboro Inlet when operator Operator1 ran aground at the false inlet located on the northside of Hillsboro Inlet. 
  
  ACCIDENT
  Vessel 1 was inbound toward Hillsboro Inlet when the operator misjudged the opening of Hillsboro Inlet. The operator was at approximately 10-20 mph when the vessel ran aground. Once the vessel was on top of the false inlet, the operator, trimmed the motor upward. This allowed the vessel to be pushed off the false inlet and drift into the bay of Hillsboro Inlet.  
  
  POST ACCIDENT
  Operator1 trimmed his motor upward which gave his vessel enough clearance to drift off the false inlet. This pushed Operator1’s vessel westward into Hillsboro Inlet. At that time, I tied off to Operator1s vessel to gather his information and further assess damage done to his vessel. The vessel had noticeable damage to the propeller. The vessel was later pulled to assess damage on the bottom of the hull. The vessel had gouges on the bottom of the hull in multiple locations.
  
  CONCLUSION
  Based on my observation, I witnessed Operator1 behind the helm of the vessel that ran aground at Hillsboro Inlet. Operator1 stated he had little knowledge of Hillsboro Inlet and little boating experience. Operator1 operated this vessel in a careless manner, which endangers or causes injury or damages to a person or another person’s property.
  
  VIOLATIONS
  FSS 327.33 (2)  Careless operation of vessel
  