RedactedNarrative: Operater #1 stated to the effect:  "I was using the Axius stick to pull into the dock to tie up. . .It was working fine. . .All the sudden it accelerated in reverse and I hit the piling.  I got on the throttles and steered forward out into the lagoon.  I tried to turn around I think then I hit the small boat (V#2) and then the Grady (V#3).  The system was showing a mechanical indicator light but I'm not sure what happened."
  
  Investigation revealed:   V#1 was making way in the lagoon toward its mooring.  The operator was using his vessel's Axius system for docking.  This system uses technology to electronically control the vessels engines and drives to maneuver the vessel with a joystick rather than using the throttle sticks and steering wheel.  V1 approached the dock at slow speed when for an unknown reason the vessel suddenly accelerated to the rear and struck a piling with its swim platform.  In an attempt to avoid collision Operator #1 utilized the throttle and steering wheel which overrides the Axius system.  He steered out into the middle of the lagoon an attempted to regain control.
  
  While in the middle of the lagoon Operator#1 stated he went back and forth from the joystick (Axius) to the throttle and wheel.  While attempting to turn around and re-appoach his dock he again lost control and struck V#2 ( 20' Sea hunt).  V#1 then struck bow first into V#2's Port side.  After impact, V#1 over rode V#2 and pushed it into the bulkhead causing crushing damage on both gunnels.  V#1 turned sharply to its starboard while backing off V#2 at which time its swim platform impacted the bow stem of V#3.  
  
  This crash was witnessed by the above listed witnesses 2 who were on board V#1 and 2 on land who all provided accounts that were consistent with operator #1's account.  
  
  Operator #1 initially alluded to possible mechanical issues which he stated he would have checked.  It is the opinion of this investigator that the Axius system is not at fault in this crash.   Once control was regained V#1 was able to be operated normally.  The Axius system uses electronics to put the out drives into positions not normally possible in standard vessels.  Once the operator overrides the system by using the throttles the vessel will respond abnormally until the outdrives return to their normal positions that correspond with the steering wheel.  Operator #1 advised that the system is new to him and further advised that his total boating experience is under 20 hours.  Operator inexperience combined with a powerful performance vessel were the primary factors that lead to this crash.
  
   