RedactedNarrative: On this date, August 28, 2017, Dock Master of South Jersey Marina in Cape May, Jersey contacted the New Jersey State Police, Marine Services Call Center and advised of a collision involving a sailboat, several moored vessels and a boathouse
      Upon my arrival, I met with Dock master at the marina office and he advised that a 1987, blue, 51', Bristol Sailboat, named the "Dawn Treader", had crashed into several vessels moored along Yacht Avenue in Cape May, New Jersey and a boathouse, while the sailboat was attempting to transit out of his marina from the marina's fuel dock.  
       Witness1 stated that he is a crew member of the 92', Viking Yacht, "Double Barrel." His advantage point was from the cockpit of the vessel, which was moored approximately 8' from the "Dawn Treader", on the outside of the South Jersey Marina fuel dock.  He stated that the sailboat had 5 or 6 people on board with Operator1 at the helm and he was attempting to cast off from the fuel dock using its inboard diesel for propulsion while the bow line was still attached to the dock.  He further stated that the engine appeared to be under full power while in reverse, and white exhaust was emitting from the exhaust when the line snapped.  It appeared as if the sailboat's bow thruster was on and swinging the bow to the right.  Witness1 continued by stating that the sailboat nearly struck the stern of the sport fisherman "Wanted" where it was moored at the end of the adjacent dock.  The sailboat crossed Schellenger Creek and made contact with the floating dock of the Lobster House Restaurant.  The sailboat was still in reverse and crossed Schellenger Creek in a southerly direction, nearly striking his vessel "Double Barrel". The sailboat rotated and was moving in a northerly direction, still in reverse, when it struck the bow of a 36' vessel, "Prowler", which was moored in a slip adjacent to the boathouse with the stern of the sailboat.  He watched sailboat strike the boathouse before striking a 20' Sundance Skiff, which was moored at the north end of the boathouse.  After the final collision, the sailboat continued into Cape May Harbor in reverse.
  
  He further advised that the transmission could not be shifted from reverse without the repair.  The throttle cable is in working order and could be operated in all ranges from idle to full power.
  
      The investigation revealed that the sailing vessel "Dawn Treader" had been returning from New England to its home port on Maryland and had been moored in the South Jersey Marina in evening of Sunday, August 27, 2017.  It's owner returned to Maryland on Sunday and left the vessel with subject who would continue the voyage with several friends to Maryland on Monday, August 28, 2017.  
  
      The collisions occurred when Operator1, who was operating as the vessels master, attempting to reverse from the marina's fuel dock using the 100 horsepower, diesel inboard engine.  He stated that he thought the bow line had been cast free from the fuel dock cleat when he attempted to move the vessel.  Witness accounts by professional mariners reveal that the vessel's engine was placed under heavy load while vessel was still attached to the dock.  When the bow line snapped, the vessel began to rotate and cross Schellenger Creek before coming into contact with the Lobster House's floating dock.  The Dawn Treader made its way to the south while rotating and if reverse.  
  
  It is my opinion that the bow thruster may have been activated, causing the rotation.  Eventually, the Dawn Treader struck the vessel "Prowler", which was moored at 1537 Yacht Avenue, a boathouse located at 1537 Yacht Avenue, and a Sundance Skiff, moored at 1539 Yacht Avenue, before transiting to the Cape May Harbor.  Further investigation revealed a mechanical failure which led to Operator1's inability to control the vessel's transmission.