RedactedNarrative: On Saturday, August 6, 2016 at approximately 1130 hours, I, RFC received information regarding a vessel that had struck the #1 Green Day Marker in the Frederica River at St. Simons Sound in Glynn County Georgia.  The initial information that was given, was that that day marker had been struck but no information for the vessel that hit it was obtained.  At approximately 1400 hours I was able to obtain information for the individual whom had struck the day marker and make contact with him by phone.  The vessel operator, advised that he had hit the day marker early in the morning while preparing to go offshore for a fishing trip.  I made sure he nor his passenger, had received any injuries nor required any medical attention, in which they did not.  I was able to set up a time to meet subject at Morningstar Marina on St. Simons Island, Georgia and investigate the incident further.
  
  	At approximately 1700 hours I met Operator to obtain information regarding the incident.  Black advised that around 0415 hours he was returning to Morningstar Marina from McKay River where he went to get bait for the offshore fishing trip.  As he was negotiating the turn (at approximately 22-24 knots) to come back into the Frederica River he briefly looked down to adjust his chart plotter and radar screens.  When he looked up he saw the silhouette of a piling or marker and quickly made a turn (1/2 turn to 3/4 turn) to port and struck the Green #1 Day marker on the starboard side of the vessel.  Although shaken by the incident, he and his passenger sustained no injuries and returned to Morningstar Marina where they terminated their trip due to the damage to the vessel.  
  
  	Operator and I went to the vessel and surveyed the damage, which coincided with his statement.  The starboard bow sustained damage both inside and out with visible cracks and separations, especially inside the gunwale wall.  There were markings approximately midship and starboard quarter from what appeared to be where he was trying to avoid collision with the day marker.  The skeg on the starboard motor was bent and the propeller drive shaft had a wobble from where the motor/propeller likely struck the submerged portion of the day marker.  
  
  	I photographed the visible damage to the vessel and requested that Operator give me a written statement pertaining to the incident, in which he did.  The photographs and written statement are included in the case file.  It should also be noted that low tide on the morning of August 6, 2016 was approximately 0419 hours at the St. Simons Bar in Glynn County, Georgia.
  
  	On Thursday, September 8, 2016, Operator contacted me regarding the insurance estimate for the vessel.  The estimate was $17,200.00.
  
  End of Report.