RedactedNarrative: DEM officers were dispatched to the area of Sandy Pt. Warwick for a report of a diver that was struck by a boat. When officers arrived at the vicinity they came upon the victim who was on his boat and appeared to be injured.  Owner/Victim was holding a towel on his head. Owner/Victim’s wife was also on the boat.  Officer1 boarded Owner/Victim’s boat and assisted Owner/Victim holding gentle pressure to the towel to control the bleeding from his head.  Shortly thereafter Warwick Fire arrived and took over with medical assistance.  He was subsequently transported to RI Hospital. Passenger gave a written statement and reported that she was in their cabin reading when she heard a boat coming close to their boat.  
  
  Owner/Victim was actively diving for quahogs while the compressor was running and supplying air to Owner/Victim.  The Dive Flag was mounted above the compressor and was likely visible from any direction.  
  
  Another (commercial) shellfisherman boat was close by with a dive flag also visible, as well as a small dive flag on a basket with someone digging on shore. A 21’ Grady White operated by Operator2 passed within 30’ of Owner/Victim’s boat.  Owner/Victim was underwater when he heard the boat approaching.  He then dove for the bottom.  Passenger stated that as the boat passed them, the airline attached the Owner/Victim surfaced and appeared to be cut.  As Owner/Victim then surfaced, his wife observed a large amount of blood in the water.  Owner/Victim was able to make it back to his boat and get back on board.  Operator2 stayed at the scene and called 911.  Officer1 reported that Owner/Victim suffered multiple injuries:  a large laceration to the back of his head with a depression in the center, a laceration to his right shoulder, a concussion, and a broken skull.  Officer1 concluded that the Skeg of the outboard motor of Operator2’s Grady White first hit Owner/Victim’s shoulder and then the back of his head.  
  
  LT1 responded to East Greenwich Yacht Club to assist Officer2 who was taking a statement from boat operator, Operator2.  After gathering details of the incident with DEM officers, LT1 issued Operator2 a RITT for failure to maintain a proper lookout, failure to avoid a collision, operating within 50’ of a Dive Flag, and expired visual distress signal.