RedactedNarrative: 05/25/2022: On this date, I was notified that a vessel accident had occurred on 05/14/2022 at approximately 6:30 P.M. on Lake Hopatcong, in the area offshore from address 5 Yellow Barn Ave. I spoke with the operator and owner of the vessel that ran aground. 
  
  Operator stated in effect that he was operating a 2008 39' Lavecraft bearing NJ registration at idle speed, approximately 7mph. He was traveling away from the Silver Springs section of Lake Hopatcong. He observed the "sand bar" buoys off of his starboard bow and proceeded at idle speed to pass them, keeping roughly 50' of distance. Operator said that his boat began to abruptly bounce up and down because he had ran aground. 
  
  At this time a witness, who was on land, yelled to Operator that the hazard buoys had been moved. I printed a google earth photo of the area where Operator ran around and requested that he mark his route that he traveled. I emailed him the photo and he returned it to me with his marked travel path. The google earth photo is attached. Operator also emailed me an estimate dated 05/17/2022 from Marine Unlimited, L.L.C. which totalled $106,650.93. He claimed the estimate to be for the repairs to his vessel from the damage caused by running aground on 05/14/2022. He also emailed me photos that depicted damage to skegs and props that he claimed were caused from the same incident.
  
  On 05/31/2022 I interviewed a member of the Lake Hopatcong Racing Association who assists with various duties that pertain to running and setting up the race event. Subject1 stated to me that he set up the race course, using GPS, on Friday night the same way he has done so for the past ten years. In doing so he moved the hazard buoys, marking the sandbar, approximately 30ft. He said that he moved them because they encroach on the race course that is approved by the state. He then moved the buoys back to their original positions on Sunday at approximately 3:00 PM after the completion of the race. 
  
  Investigation revealed: Operator was operating a 2008 39" Lavecraft bearing N.J. registration in the Silver Springs Area of Lake Hopatcong, Mount Arlington, Morris County. In this area there is a hazardous location consisting of shallow waters. The area is marked with approximately six hazard buoys for safe navigation purposes. The Lavecraft ran aground causing damage to the props and skegs of the vessel. It is this investigators belief that several of the buoys were moved off station during the NJ Power Boat Races because they encroached on the race course. The buoys were moved closer to shore on Friday, before the races and returned to their proper location Sunday afternoon. There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident.
  