RedactedNarrative: Operator1 said he was headed down river after he had been fishing. It was dark and he was using a hand held spotlight to help navigate the river. He was having trouble with the spotlight not staying on. Operator1 said it was difficult to see where to drive the boat so he was staying closer to the shore line than normal. As he was coming around a curve in the river, he saw the green navigation buoy and turned his boat to the right to try and avoid hitting it. He struck the buoy with the front left side of his boat causing damage to the hull and trolling motor. He checked the damage and headed down river to where he launched the boat and called the Marion Co Sheriffs office to report the accident. They then contacted TWRA.