RedactedNarrative: Based on the damage sustained to the bass boat, the interview and statements by both subjects, and questioning several witnesses to the accident, my conclusion is that the collision is a result of operator inattention. Partially due to Operator1’s limited experience with the Keaton Beach canal area, I find that in this situation his inattention to the location of the channel marker when confronted with an approaching vessel caused him to make a course correction which put him in the path of the number 18 channel marker. The speed of his vessel also contributed to a diminished timeframe to avoid the collision. 
  
  Both subjects filled provided a written statement of the collision (see attached supplements). Both individuals went on to explain that as they were coming in the Keaton Beach channel approaching the idle speed zone, they saw a large red boat heading out of the channel. Operator1 said that he believed that the red vessel was crowding him in the channel, and that he did not have enough room to pass by. Occupant explained that they were traveling approximately 20 miles per hour, and as they neared the number 18 channel marker he told Operator to steer to the right but Operator seemed to freeze up. Occupant went on to explain that he grabbed the steering wheel to correct of the approaching vessel, but was able to make only a small correction which put their vessel in the path of the channel marker.