RedactedNarrative: VHF radio traffic was being recorded and the operator of the striking vessel admitted to being away from the helm for about three to four minutes. I attempted to make contact via telephone with both vessel operators to get an accurate location of where each vessel was located. 
  
  V1 operator was unable to be reached and a voice message was left to contact me in regard to the incident. The V2 operator advised he was docked at  Rybovich Marina and was waiting to get a report of the incident. 
  
  Upon my arrival to the marina, I observed the transfer marks on the starboard side of the bow of the barge. Operator2 advised there were two deck hands on board of the barge at the time of collision. Operator2 advised he was traveling North on the ICW and observed a sailboat traveling South heading directly towards the bow of the barge. Operator2 advised he shut the engines off to stop propulsion and drifted to the far East side of the channel to avoid collision with the sailboat. He also advised that upon closer observation of the sailboat, that the helm was unmanned. I met with deckhands, and both advised they observed an unmanned helm on the sailboat prior to collision . Both deck hands and Operator2 denied any injuries or medical treatment during the time of the investigation. Photographs of the transfer marks and a sworn statement from Operator2 were taken.
  
  	On February 11, 2016, I met with the V1 operator, at the North Palm Marina. Upon arrival to the slip where the vessel was moored, I observed extensive damage to the bow of the sailboat. Operator1 advised he was the only person on the vessel at the time of collision. He denied injuries and medical care but advised his left wrist had some discomfort the day after the incident. Operator1 admitted to leaving the helm for about three to four minutes and was in the cabin at the time of collision. Photographs of the damaged vessel and a sworn written statement from the operator were taken. Operator1 was subsequently charged with a violation of Navigational Rule 33 USG 2001 ET. SEQ ( failure to maintain proper lookout ), State Statute 327.33(3)(b), and ultimately causing a boating accident.