RedactedNarrative: Vessel 2 was heading west northwest when he saw a mark on his radar coming towards him. He backed down in reverse and changed his direction to avoid vessel 1. Vessel 1 did not observe vessel 2 until the last minute when he then changed direction to avoid collision. Vessel 1 made contact with vessel 2 with a glancing blow to the port side rub-rail. Both vessels were escorted back to Longboat Key mooring fields for further investigation. 
  I arrived at the Long Boat Key Mooring Fields at approximately 2320 in uniform and in my marked agency vehicle where I met with the owners and operators of both vessels. I first spoke to the owner and operator of the vessel (V2) that was hit, a 36’ white Carver registration. Operator 2 stated that he was driving back from the Hyatt in Sarasota to Longboat Key in the intercoastal waterway when he saw a flashing light on his radar coming at him. He said that he immediately started backing up at approximately 5 miles per hour to avoid a collision with the vessel. He said that the oncoming driver was able to swerve to the left Operator 2  had his vessel in reverse but consequently the two vessels collided. 
  I then spoke to the owner and operator of the vessel (V1) that collided with V2. The owner and operator of V1, was driving a 38’ blue Tiara. Operator 1 said that he did not see V2 until the last minute but was able to swerve to avoid a major collision. Operator 1 also said that just before the accident occurred his instrument panel at the helm of his vessel had stopped working.
  