RedactedNarrative: On Wednesday September 16th, at approximately 11:30 am, a vessel struck another vessel and then sank causing damages.
  
  Vessel 1 was a 14'' airboat with a single occupant that was attempting to dock after returning to the boat ramp from a brief test run in the sound.  While turning to the port side, vessel 1 caught the east wind coming into the ramp and began taking water over the stern on the starboard side.  The operator accelerated causing the airboat to strike vessel 2 on the port side.
  
  Vessel 2 was a low-profile boat that was unoccupied and tied to the dock.  The airboat ran up the bow of vessel 2 causing the stern of the airboat to dip below the water.  The airboat sank in approximately 6'' of water with the bow remaining above the water line.  The operator of the airboat was wearing a pfd and was retrieved from the sinking boat by a nearby marine patrol officer.
   
  Vessel 2 sustained paint transfer along the port side bow rub rail, gunwale, and on the trolling motor.  The airboat engine was significantly damaged as a result of being submerged in the water.
    
  The probable cause of this incident was operator inexperience and improper type/size of vessel for the conditions.  The operator reported having less than 10 hours of experience operating a vessel and had only operated this airboat 3 times.  The airboat design is better suited for calm, shallow water.  The vessel has a low stern and the direct drive engine makes the vessel have a very high center of gravity.  The wind was causing waves of less than 6”, but when combined with the design features of the vessel, it created hazardous conditions.
  