RedactedNarrative: On March 1 at approximately 0530, a vessel impacted a sand bar causing the vessel to become stranded.
  
  Vessel 1 is a 72'' steel hull vessel that had just been purchased and was travelling from Newport News, VA to southern TX.  After encountering rough seas, the Operator and Owner navigated the vessel closer to shore.  They noticed buoys on the radar and then on the GPS that indicated there was an inlet.  The Operator then attempted to navigate through Oregon Inlet when they struck a sand bar on the front starboard side of the vessel.  The Owner then took the helm and attempted to straighten the vessel and back up when they became stuck with the bow pointing towards the shoreline approximately 1.5 miles from the Marc Basnight Bridge over Oregon Inlet.
  
  After being notified by Sea Tow, USCG Oregon Inlet contacted the vessel.  At approximately 1140 USCG airlifted the occupants from the vessel as a safety precaution.  In the subsequent days, the Owner made several unsuccessful efforts to remove the vessel under its own power.  Quotes from companies to remove the vessel were very high, and the Owner and Operator decided to return to TX.  As of the time of this report, the vessel remains grounded off the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
  
  There was no alcohol involved in this incident, life jackets were available but not used by the occupants, and the Owner was not operating when the vessel struck ground as reported by Owner.
  
  The probable cause of this incident was inexperience of the Operator navigating the hazardous waters through Oregon Inlet.
  
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