RedactedNarrative: V1 while cruising east on the Anclote River struck the northwest piling of dock. The collision caused the pole to break and the boat cradle to collapse and fall in the water. V1 sustained damage to the bow area of his vessel and left the scene without immediately reporting the accident to anyone.
  
  Operator1 stated that he had a coughing attack while cruising up the river around 1000 RPM. He said he had a medical condition which caused him to start coughing and that he vomited and looked away from the helm. Operator1 stated that when he looked up he hit the piling in between the two bow pulpits on this vessel. He said he put the vessel in reverse right away but it was too late to stop the momentum of the vessel from hitting the dock. The impact of his vessel hitting the piling caused the piling to break off below the water line which resulted in the boat cradle crumpling into the water.
  
  Operator1 told me he thought the damage to the dock could be fixed for $800-$1500 and he seemed to be under the impression that he was not required to notify law enforcement right away. He said he did not see anyone around and continued up river where he put his boat back on the trailer. He informed me that he returned in a few hours by way of his personal boat but did not contact the owner at that time. He also said he could not find the location of the property by land.
  
  Operator1 was issued a citation for a violation of navigation rule 8 resulting in an accident that caused property damage. It was determined through our investigation that while Operator1 did not immediately contact law enforcement following the incident, he did eventually contact dispatch to report the accident and his intention was to contact the dock owner and make full restitution.