RedactedNarrative: On 07-02-20 O-1 had rented a PWC from RENTAL COMPANY at sharks cove just west of Fenwick Island located just north of the Maryland Line on the Fenwick Ditch. Upon arrival RENTAL COMPANY the owner of the PWC rental operation showed me the damage to the PWC which was on the side in the port stern area just behind the operators left leg. Upon interviewing the operator and witnesses I found that O-1 was operating the PWC northbound on the fenwick ditch into current at a slow no wake speed in a line following the rental employee. O-1 looked back and the current pushed him sideways and he throttled up hitting the Rt 54 bridge piling. 
  I asked RENTAL COMPANY to see his Delaware rental paperwork which he showed me Maryland rental paperwork and said he thought that was good. I advised him that it was not that when he operates out of Delaware he must comply with Delaware law which requires the full safe boating course to have been completed prior to being allowed to operate. O-1 had not completed the approved course to operate in Delaware but was operating under the assumption that he was ok because the rental agency advised him he was good with the Maryland course. The cause if this accident was a collision with a fixed bridge piling due to operator inexperience and knowledge. RENTAL COMPANY was cited for one count of for failing to provide proper paperwork and follow the Delaware PWC safety procedures and paperwork and given a verbal warning for allowed use of a non-compliant vessel. O-1 was not cited for the incident.
  