RedactedNarrative: On 09-15-2019 at approximately 1:30pm, a boating incident occurred on belews lake, 0.5 north of nc highway 65 in belews creek, nc. The vessel was a 19-foot, 1996 maxum pleasure boat with a 135 hp mercruiser inboard/outboard motor.  The bow of the vessel struck a hard object on the shore forcing the operator to impact the console and windshield of the vessel. 
  
  The vessel was recreationally cruising belews lake at the time of the incident. The operator was heading south approximately 0.5 mile north of nc highway 65 near belews creek. While the vessel was underway, the bow struck a large rock on the western shore near the incident location. The vessel made contact with the shore before operator could stop or turn to avoid the incident.  The impact caused operator to continue forward striking the console and metal windshield frame of the vessel.  The impact with the console and windshield frame resulted in lacerations and a muscle tear to operator's left forearm.  
  
  Operator stated that he was adjusting his shoes causing him to lose his balance.  This resulted in him hitting the steering wheel with his right shoulder causing the boat to turn sharply to the right in the direction of the shore.  The vessel striking the shore resulted in impact damage to the bow.  The fiberglass hull was also split vertically on the starboard and port side of the vessel near the bow.  The windshield and metal frame were separated due to operator's body impacting the console.  Operator was wearing a type iii pfd at the time of the incident.  The operator approximated his speed at about 10-20 mph before the vessel made impact with the rock.  The air temperature was 85 degrees with a water temperature of 89 degrees.  Belews creek fire and rescue responded to the scene of the incident.  Forsyth county ems transported operator to winston salem baptist hospital where he was admitted and received surgery on his left forearm for his injuries.
  
  It appears that the damage to the vessel and operator's injuries were the result of the vessel making impact with the shore.  It appears that operator inattention and failure to keep a proper lookout were factors in causing this incident.  No one was charged as a result of this incident.  Operator is expected to make a full recovery and have no permanent effects from his injuries.
  
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