RedactedNarrative: On September 16, 2017 around 1153, the Emerald Isle United States Coast Guard received and responded to a capsized vessel distress call near Browns Inlet.  At this time the USCG was made aware of one capsized vessel with two people in the water.  
  
  USCG responding vessel 45696, arrived on scene  around 1216 and recovered  (operator) at 1221.  Upon further investigation, Operator1 advised that the passenger had been with the capsized vessel but because of the waves and current was carried to the shore.   I Officer, of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission Division of Law Enforcement was informed of the incident and began my investigation.  On September 17, 2017, I met with Operator1 and was informed of how the vessel had capsized.  
  
  He explained that he and Occupant had gone out fishing between 0600 and the time of the incident.  Operator1 explained that when they began to come back into shore that he waited for the tide to change.  At this time, Operator1 entered an unmarked Browns Inlet and advised he was surfing the waves with little to no throttle.  The vessel was then on top of what Operator1 described as a rogue wave and crested sooner than he had thought and at the same time felt a thrust of what must have been another wave pushing the vessel over the crest of the wave.  
  
  Operator1 explained that he felt the bow of the boat turn starboard and then the port of the bow went under the water and flipped.  Operator1 and Occupant were under the water and not wearing life jackets. 
  
   Operator1 then swam under the vessel and grabbed two life jackets and threw one to Occupant.  Operator1 stayed with the vessel holding on to the ladder of the vessel while Occupant was being knocked and swept away from the vessel by the waves and current.  Operator1 advised that Occupant began to float away along with several items of debris coming from the vessel toward the shore of the beach.  At this time, Operator1 began signaling for help.
  
  ****************END OF REPORT**************************