RedactedNarrative: Upon arriving to Burlington Station for my assigned shift, this investigating Trooper was advised that there had been a hit and run accident the prior evening. New Jersey State Police Marine Dispatch advised that they had received a reported vessel accident at 10:18pm on 04/11/2020 which occurred on the Delaware River in the City of Trenton just south of Amtrak Rail Bridge that runs parallel to the Trenton-Morrisville Bridge. 
  
  The operator of Vessel #2, in this accident, made proper notification upon reaching safe haven. Marine Operational Dispatch was advised by SFCto inform Operator #2 that he would be contacted by Burlington Station personnel the following morning in order to document the accident. There was no report made by the operator of Vessel #1.
  
  Upon obtaining all of the currently known information in this vessel accident, contact was then made with Operator #2 at his residence where his vessel was also located.  Upon observation of Vessel #2 the vessel had substantial damage on the port side gunwale. The gunwale was bent inward approximately six (6) to twelve (12) inches from it's original manufactured position. The welding/rivet points in the area of impact also suffered separation/cracks due to the impact suggesting a high rate of speed combined with the weight of the other vessel.
  
  I then met with the operator of Vessel #2. Operator2 appeared to be favoring his left arm and wrist. I then asked Operator2 if he was injured? Operator2 responded to the effect, "My left arm and wrist were hit by the other boat." I then inquired why he did not request medical attention the prior evening? Operator2 stated to the effect that he was afraid to go to the hospital due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and preferred to make an appointment with his personal doctor. I then asked Operator2 to provide a statement of his account of how the accident occurred.
  
  Operator #2 Stated to the effect: My son and I were trolling north toward the rail bridge at a slow speed with our navigation lights on, I then saw a boat headed right at us at a fast speed. I began to yell "look out" as loud as I could. I then attempted to avoid being hit by the other boat by turning to starboard but it was too late. The boat hit us really hard and hit me on my left arm and wrist.
  
  Operator #1 was not known at this time due to failure to report the vessel accident upon reaching safe haven. A witness provided a vessel registration to New Jersey State Police dispatch. Upon further investigation, it revealed that the vessel's last registered owner admitted to be the current owner and the operator of the vessel at the time of the accident. 
  
  Upon locating Operator1 at his residence, I observed the vessel in his driveway met the description of the vessel described by Operator #2 and matched the vessel assigned Pennsylvania vessel registration. 
  
  Upon viewing the vessel, the investigating trooper observed that the vessel had fresh gouges in the port side bow of the vessel that match the physical evidence of the damage to Vessel #2 and impact described by Operator #2. Upon further observation, it was also observed that the vessel's registration numbering and the PA validation sticker had different letters as the final letter. The vessel had the letter "E" when the validation sticker and proper registration was an "F". This being in violation of 13:82-8.3 (Display of Numbers on Vessel). It was also noted that the vessel's registration was expired as of March 31, 2020 and this being in violation of 12:7-34.39(a)(Failure to Register).
  
  Operator1, the owner of the vessel, then walked over from across the street and then stated to the effect that he was involved in an accident yesterday. Operator1 was then asked to provide his documentation for the vessel and his boating safety certificate. Operator1 provided his Drivers License which did not have a boating endorsement on it and that he did not know he needed a boating safety certificate to operate his boat. 
  
  He was advised that he requires a boating safety certificate from either PA Boat and Fish Commission where he is a resident and where his vessel is registered or from the State of New Jersey in order to operate his vessel in shared waters between the two states. I then asked Operator1 to provide a statement of what his account of the accident was last night and how fast did he think he was operating his vessel at the time of the accident?
  
  Operator #1 Stated to the effect: I was operating my boat at about 20-25 knots and headed back to the Trenton boat ramp because we were done fishing. I did not see the other boat and we hit. My friend fell into the water but he was not hurt. I returned to get him out of the water and then we left because we thought everyone was OK.
  
  I then advised Operator1 that he had failed to observe several navigation rules which resulted in the accident.  I advised that he is required to maintain proper look out at all times when in operation of a vessel, failing to observe the other vessel is in violation of Inland Navigation Rule #5 Look-out. Also, due to him operating at night and with the current state of visibility at the time and lack of sufficient area for maneuvers, he was operating at an unsafe speed for conditions which is in violation of Inland Navigation Rule # 6 Safe Speed. Lastly, the fact that he did not observe the other vessel he made no attempt to take action to avoid collision which is in violation of Inland Navigation Rule# 8 Action to Avoid Collision.
  
  Investigation Revealed: Vessel # 1 was traveling South on the Delaware River in the City of Trenton, Mercer County, NJ which shares waters with the Borough of Morrisville, Bucks County, PA. Operator #1 was underway to return to port at the City of Trenton Municipal Boat Ramp. Operator #1 was operating at an unsafe speed for existing conditions at night and failed to maintain a proper look out by not observing Vessel #2. 
  
  Vessel #2 attempted to avoid collision by turning hard to starboard but was unsuccessful due to the rate of speed Vessel #1 was traveling at.  As a result, Vessel #1 collided into the port side bow/midship of Vessel #2. Vessel #2 sustained heavy damage to the vessel's port side gunwale and engine cowling. During the collision Operator# 2's left arm and wrist were also struck by Vessel #1. 
  
  The passenger of Vessel #1 was ejected from the vessel but did not sustain any injuries. Operator #1 retrieved his passenger from the water and departed the scene, returning to the Trenton Municipal Boat Ramp.
  
  NJSP Boarding # 04-01B was conducted on Vessel #1 and Boarding # 04-02B was conducted on Vessel #2
  
  The following addition Summons were issued to Operator #1:
  
  Failure to Register Vessel - 12:7-34(a)
  Proper Display of Numbers on Vessel - 13:82-8.3
  Operating Vessel w/o BSC - 12:7-61(b)
  Rules of the Road - 13:82-1.8 (Nav. Rule#5 - Look-Out)
  Rules of the Road - 13:82-1.8 (Nav. Rule#6 - Safe Speed)
  Rules of the Road - 13:82-1.8 )Nav. Rule#8 - Action to Avoid Collision)
  Accidents Involving Vessel - 12:7-34.46(a)
  *witness statements can not be saved ref character limits.