RedactedNarrative: According to statement, his boat was heading west at idle speed when it was struck by the other vessel. There were six passengers on board including the captain and no one was injured. The boat had visible scratches in the hull under the rubrail on the portside. Also it appeared to have a stress fracture in the gel coat on the portside on the inside guwale. The most noticeable damage was his antenna which was broken. He also indicated that the operator was not maintaining a proper lookout and the crew on his boat and the opposing vessel were yelling. 
  
  The captain of the striking vessel, produced a license and registration which identified himself. His vessel is a 38’ Sealine, white hull, FL8657PU (VESSEL 2). His vessel had seven occupants at the time of the accident, no one reported injuries. When we took statements from the operator, he indicated that he was on the northside of the channel going eastbound (favoring the portside) when the other vessel collided with him. There were minor gouges in the portside of his boat which we estimated at about $3000. The operator admitted to not having knowledge that his vessel was the give-way vessel in this passing situation and did not know he was supposed to steer near the outer limit of the channel on his starboard side in accordance with USCG Navigation rules. We read him the rule and informed him that he was determined to be at fault. 
  
  Conclusion 
  
  Based on the evidence and information gathered, the vessels impacted port to port (near the bow) at approximately idle speed due to failure to avoid collision on the striking vessels behalf and failure to comply with inland navigation rules. There does not seem to be any machinery or equipment failure contributing to the collision nor did alcohol/drug influence factor into this incident.