RedactedNarrative: On august 24, 2016, oPerator1 rented a pontoon boat from westport marina.  Operator1 and his party of five other passengers went to dinner at north harbor club marina.  
  
  When leaving the boat slip there around 18:30 (6:30 pm), he began to back his vessel out in a left/port backing turn.  Operator1 realized he was getting close to an unoccupied vessel that was docked in the slip to the left/port of him.  Operator1 took the boat out of gear and realizing that his vessel continued to get closer to the docked vessel, quickly pushed his vessel's throttle in the forward position, and turned to the right.  
  
  Operator1 said he did this because “boats don't have brakes”.  Operator1's action caused the left/port stern of his vessel to whip, or fish tail to the left and make contact with the docked vessel.   Operator1's rented vessel received damage to the left/port gunnel along with some support railing, and seat cushion back.  The docked vessel received damage to the anchor support on the bow, scratches to the left/port side near the bow, and gouges to the stern of the vessel as it was docked in the backwards position in the slip.  The docked vessel collided with the dock from impact and caused damage to the dock as well.
   
  In conclusion, there was no personal injuries involved, nor will any criminal charges be made.  Operator1's vessel had all required safety equipment and alcohol was not a factor.  It is this officer's opinion the contributing cause of the accident was operator inexperience.