RedactedNarrative: V1 was traveling south in the South Fork of the Saint Lucie River and struck an unknown object with the starboard side bow. 
  
  The operator believes the object was a red channel marker on a stationary pole approximately 100 - 200 yards south of the Palm City Bridge. The only red channel marker in that area is floating buoy number 30. 
  
  There are private aids to navigation on the east side, far outside the channel, that do not appear to have been struck and there does not appear to be any that are missing. I observed damage to the vessel's starboard side bow and the steering wheel was bent. The operator stated he was thrown forward by the momentum of the vessel when the object was struck, bending the steering wheel in the process. I observed minor abrasions to the operator's hands. I photographed the damaged vessel and injuries.