RedactedNarrative: On July 2, 2018 at approximately 7:40 pm, I received a call from Raleigh Dispatch regarding a boat incident on the Tar River.  The boat was heading west away from the Port Terminal Access Area. The incident occurred on the Tar River about one mile and a half away from the Port Terminal Access Area in Pitt County. The vessel that was in the incident was a 17ft 5in, 2006 175BR Bayliner with a 140 hp inboard/outboard motor. The vessel was operated by the owner, who was the only occupant on board the vessel.  It appears that the cause of the incident would be striking a submerged object, which led to Operator trying to control the vessel as it began to take on water from the stern resulting in the vessel being completely overturned in the water and flooding. 
  
  Operator stated that he was heading upstream towards the Grimesland bridge while driving behind a friend who was heading in the same direction.  Operator stated that they launched the vessels around 5:45pm from the Port Terminal Access Area stating the reason they had launched the vessels was to check the other vessel's lower unit.  As both vessels were heading upstream, Subject1 was in front of Operator. Operator then struck an object which was submerged underwater when Subject1 was out of sight.  Operator immediately turned back around and started heading towards the Port Terminal Access Area.  He stated the water started to come in the vessel within seconds of striking the object and he immediately switched on the bilge pump.  He then called Subject1 to come back to help him.  Operator said he did not want to stop the vessel, he thought continuing to head back would be the smartest idea to do.  Within moments the water was by Operator's feet and he then went to the bow of the vessel for safety.  Operator said as soon as he went to the bow, Subject1 pulled up and he jumped into his vessel.  As the water continued to fill the vessel, it filled up one side and slowly rolled over. The vessel ended being hull side up where you could see a hole from the impact in the hull.  
  
  Operator contacted 911 and explained to them what had happened.  Dispatch in Raleigh also contacted me regarding the incident.   I then continued to Pitt County Forestry Office to pick up my patrol boat and patrolled to the Port Terminal Access Area. 
  
  Operator explained what had occurred in detail and pinpointed where the incident had occurred.  Operator said he and Subject1 did get the vessel to turn back upright long enough to float it back almost to the boat ramp.  When they were about 100 yards from the boat ramp the vessel overturned again.  They just let it float overturned back to the boat ramp to where they were when I arrived on scene.  As soon as I arrived on scene at approximately 8:30pm, I first asked if anyone was injured and needed medical assistance then I proceeded to take pictures of the vessel and secured the personal belongings that we could at the time.  Subject1, two other men and I, helped Operator load the vessel unto the trailer.  It took approximately an hour or longer to load the vessel. 
  
  The damage to the vessel was approximately $6000 to $7000, before attempting to load the vessel on the trailer. The damage to the vessel was approximately $10000 or more after loading unto the trailer.
  
  There were a few witnesses to the incident.  Received statements from the Operator and Subject1. After concluding all the evidence and statements, it appears the cause of the incident would be striking the submerged object.  No one has been charged as a result of this incident.
  
  ************************END OF REPORT*******************
  