RedactedNarrative: On Saturday March 11, 2017, I, Officer of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission(FWC), was dispatched to a report of a vessel crash on the St. John's River near Astor, FL The report was of two vessels colliding and one had launched into the tree line. Unknown injuries at that time. I arrived on scene at South Moon Fish Camp, the nearest boat ramp and made contact with an occupant of Vessel 2 (V2) who had been brought back to the ramp by a Good Sam. While interviewing Montgomery, FWC Officers responded to the scene by vessel. They were able to assist both of the crashed vessels back to the ramp for further investigation. 
  
  Vessel 1(V1) was cruising South on the St. John's River, after fishing in Lake George. 
  
  Vessel 2(V2) was cruising North on the St John's River after just launching from the South Moon Boat Ramp. 
  
  I interviewed each individual and was told the same description of the crash event.
  
  Both vessels were on plane cruising 20-30 mph.
  
  While V1 was cruising South, Operator1 came around a bend in the river and was closer to the eastern side of the river bank. He would be considered the "give way" to vessel traffic and he was on the wrong side of the river. V1 was cruising North along the eastern side of the river which would give V2 a stand on definition. V2 was traveling on the East side as is expected for vessel traffic.
  
  When each operator realized they were on a collision course neither slowed or altered their heading. Operator1 stated he increased speed and attempted a heading change at the last second to avoid the collision. Operator1's direction change crossed the path of V2. V2 struck V1 sternward of the center console and ramped over the gunwale, crushing the starboard side and stern area of V1. The impact ejected both occupants of V2 into the river. V2's heading change caused it to continue toward the river bank and into the tree line, then coming to a stop. 
  
  V2's occupants were able to swim back to the V2 and reboard. Both reported no serious injuries. V2 operator reported a back strain/sprain while being interviewed. He also stated if V1 had continued straight the collision may have been avoided.
  
  V1 was able to be extracted from the river bank and was towed by the FWC vessel back to ramp. 
  
  Based on the damage to both vessels V1 was cr
  
  Operator2 stated his back was starting to tighten up from the strain of the crash. He stated he was thrown against the steering control  console as he was ejected from the vessel. He was unaware at the time of the crash of being injured, but was beginning to feel stiffness in his back approximately and hour after the crash. When asked he refused EMS response to be checked.
  