RedactedNarrative: On 06/23/15 at approximately 2:19 PM, vessel 1 was traveling northeast in a canal adjacent to Knott''s Island Bay.  Vessel 1 was going around a bend in the canal.  The operator, Operator1 reported the steering malfunctioned.  He reported he attempted to turn the steering wheel to the right but was unable to turn it sharp enough to properly navigate through the canal.  He reported vessel 1 slid on the water as he attempted to turn the vessel, causing the port (left) side of vessel 1 to collide with the starboard (right) side of vessel 2.  Vessel 2 was tied to a dock unoccupied.  
   
  Upon impact with vessel 2, one of the passengers of vessel 1, Subject1 (9 years old) was thrown off of the port side of vessel 1 into the water.  Subject1 was initially sitting on the forward deck of vessel 1 with 2 other passengers.  Another passenger, Subject2, jumped into the water to retrieve Subject1.  Subject2 helped Subject1 get back in vessel 1.  Subject2 was unable to get back in vessel 1 so she went on nearby land.  
   
  Operator was still able to operate vessel 1 and it ended up at a nearby dock.   
   
  Subject2 reported she was standing to the left of Operator when the collision occurred.  She reported her injuries were the result of falling down in the boat during the collision.  Subject3 reported she fractured her tail-bone in four places.  She reported when the accident occurred she was knocked into the side of vessel 1.  Subject3 reported she went to Occupational Health in Virginia Beach to be seen for her injuries on 06/26/15.  
                                                              
  The evening of the accident, I, Officer, inspected both vessels for damage.  I also took several photos of the damaged areas.  I observed a small crushed in area on the back of the port side of vessel 1.  I observed much more damage on vessel 2 than vessel 1.  Vessel 2 received damage to both the port and starboard sides.  The damage to the port side is possibly secondary damage from vessel 2 being pushed to the dock it was tied up to after vessel 1 collided with its starboard side.  The port side of vessel 2, above the registration numbers appeared to be badly damaged and crushed in.  The back of the port side was also damaged to the point the rubrail was torn off and left hanging.  The metal rail on the back corner of the port side appeared to be crushed in.  The back corner of the starboard side appeared to be badly crushed in.  I observed scratches and scuffs along almost the entire length of the starboard side.  Additionally, there appeared to be cracks and other damage to the front compartment well where it was possibly warped from the collision.  In addition to the damaged vessels, the dock that vessel 2 was tied up to was also damaged.  I observed several loose boards on the dock.  
   
  Operator was charged with operating while impaired and careless and negligent operation.  Alcohol was a contributing factor to this accident.  PFDs were only worn by the three passengers under 13 years old.  Nothing further at this time.
   