RedactedNarrative: On monday, 9/20/21 at approx 1615hrs, a boating incident occurred on the yadkin river resulting in approx $5000.00 in property damage to one vessel.  The vessel involved is owned by the operator at the time of the incident.  Operator and a passenger both sustained minor scrapes and bruises that did not require medical attention.
  
  Operator and his passenger were travelling northwest on the yadkin river at appx 25-30 mph in front of carolina sand inc when the lower unit of the outboard motor struck a dredge pipe owned by carolina sand, inc that was submerged about 4-6 inches below the surface of the water.  The impact stopped the boat almost immediately and threw both passengers into the windshield.  The operator sustained a small cut to his lip while the passenger sustained minor cuts and abrasions to both of his arms.  The impact caused the outboard motor to pivot upward on its hinges, causing the cowling to impact a raised section of the deck on the stern of the vessel.  This impact created numerous cracks to the fiberglass cowling of the outboard motor.  The impact with the dredge pipe also caused the transom to partially separate from the deck of the vessel and caused the motor mounting bolts to become recessed into the transom.  The outboard motor was also sounding an audible alarm that the operator was unable to fix on site.
  
  After impact, the operator drove his boat to a small boat ramp owned by carolina sand inc.  He was able to get the attention of two employees and told them what happened.  These employees told him that there was no way that he struck the dredge pipe and refused any type of assistance with damages.  It was at this point that the operator called ncwrc law enforcement.
  
  ncwrc law enforcement arrived on scene at approx 1700 hrs. He spoke with operator who stated that he saw the pipe only after his boat had struck it.  It was not marked in any way and was floating just below the surface.  Officer then spoke with employees at carolina sand who stated that there was no way the dredge pipe was floating like operator said.  However, one employee also stated, "this is not the first time that this has happened."  on the day of the incident, neither officer or operator were able to see any serious damage and estimated the damage to be less than $2000.00.  However, due to the possibility of unseen damages in excess of $2000.00, operator completed an mb4.1 and witness statement.  The passenger also completed a witness statement.
  
  On 11/5/21, operator called officer to inform him that the repairs to his vessel would cost about $5000.00 in damage as a result of this incident.  He also stated that carolina sand inc has taken responsibility for the incident and would be paying for all damages.  Alcohol and drugs were not a factor in this incident.