RedactedNarrative: On Sunday April 19, 2015, at approximately 1500 hrs, I, Officer was dispatched to a vessel accident with no injuries in the vicinity of marker 40 which occurred within the ICW in Hobe Sound, FL. Information I received was that a PWC struck the stern of a 15 foot vessel while traveling southbound in the ICW. I responded and arrived at approximately 1600 hrs. Upon my arrival, I observed a small 15 foot dinghy, anchored west of the ICW channel, bearing Florida registration numbers FL 9050 LB, occupied by two individuals, a white male and a white female. I also observed two PWC's beached on the west shoreline of the ICW close to where the dinghy was anchored. As I approached the vessel from the port side, I observed what appeared to be striking damage/crushing damage to the port and stern side of the outboard engine cowling. I also observed damage to the steering rod portion of the hydraulic steering mechanism also on the port side. Finally I observed severe damage to the pivot bracket portion of the engine mount. The damage sustained to the engine as a whole, rendered the vessel inoperable. The owner/operator of the dinghy was identified. I asked Operator1 to explain how the accident occurred and he explained he was traveling southbound in the marked channel at approximately 20 mph. He advised he was approaching some vessel congestion and took action to slow down to avoid collision. He slowed down to approximately 10 mph. At that time, he was alerted by his passenger that a PWC was approaching at a high rate of speed. Operator1 then looked behind him and before he could react, the PWC struck the stern of their vessel rendering it inoperable. Operator1 pointed to the PWC's beached along the shore nearby and advised me that the black in color PWC was the striking vessel. At that time, approximately 1630 hrs, Sea Tow arrived to assist with towing Operator1's vessel back to his residence. 
  
  I then approached the PWC's beached on the shore. The black PWC which Operator1 stated was the PWC that struck his vessel, was bearing Florida registration numbers FL 2157 SJ. I did not observe any damage to the PWC. I made contact with the operator, a white male and identified him. I asked Operator2 to explain what happened and he explained to me that he was traveling southbound in the ICW when the boat in front of him suddenly slowed down. Operator2 stated that he tried to slow down and steer away from the other vessel but his vessel steered right into the Operator1's Vessel. Operator2 explained it was his first time operating a PWC and was unfamiliar with its operation. I determined that contributing factors to the collision were off throttle steering, careless operation (following too closely), and a violation of navigational rules 5 look out, 6 safe speed, 7 risk of collision, and 8 action to avoid collision. Operator1 and Operator2 exchanged information and both parties were released. Nothing further at this time.