RedactedNarrative: On this date, Troopers assigned to the North Wildwood Sub-Station, were dispatched by ODU (10 Comm) to a vessel aground, Ocean side, in the area of the United States Coast Guard Training Center. The undersigned was able to approach the beach from a distance just south of the Cape May Inlet, and observe a 21' vessel aground on the beach of the USCG training facility. The vessel was starboard side to the beach and facing South. I observed USCG personnel along with the occupants standing on the beach. I made contact, via phone, with USCG Petty Officer, and learned there were no injuries. He provided me with the operators phone number and the vessel registration number. Petty Officer called back to advise one of the occupants called the USCG Station Cape May to advise he sustained a back injury. 
  
  Operator #1 initially stated to the effect: I was about 8 feet from the shore when the engine cut off. I couldn't get it started. The boat was just pushed into the beach. It all happened quickly. The operator advised he was not injured. Operator later stated: "We set off as per instructions received from the Dock-master and travelled 15 mins from the port. The weather was great we went through all of our pre-checks and set course. After 40 ruins we started swimming close to shore. Since we were very tired we yelled to the boat to get picked up about 12 feet from the shore. We boarded the boat via the stern and quickly took control of the wheel and had control shortly before getting hit with a wave that rocked the boat very hard and because the lanyard was attached the engine shut off. 
  
  I checked to make sure no one was hurt and asked everyone to move away from the front of the boat then tried to start the engine. The engine would not start and we were pushed too shallow at that point to break free of the waves. I did my best to physically push the boat out deeper, but the waves were too strong. I instructed everyone to leave the boat from the stern on the starboard side. Everyone exited and there were no injuries except some very minor bruises. Most our property was lost including my iPhone 12 Pro Max. The boat was anchored. I yelled out for assistance, subject lifted the anchor and drove the boat for 30 seconds towards the shore." 
  
  Witness (Occupant #1) stated to the effect: We were trying to get the boat underway and we were too close to the shore. We lost power and got pushed to the shore. We were trying to pick up swimmers that had left the boat already. I did hurt my back, but it was just a bruise and nothing serious. I did help operate the boat at some point.
  
  Investigation at the scene: Operator #1 had anchored the boat close to shore. The occupants exited to go swimming. Occupant #1 attempted to operate the vessel and move closer to shore to pick up the Initial operator and four other occupants. Subject took control of the helm, was then unsteadied by a wave and pulled the lanyard for the engine cut-off switch. Operator #1 was unable to start the engine again before the boat was pushed parallel to the shore. The boat subsequently was pushed aground by tile wave action and current. The secondary operator attempted to operated the vessel too close to shore and the operator failed to maintain proper control of the vessel.
  
  Victim was treated on scene by Cape May Fire Department who treated a one inch contusion to the right side buttock.  He also advised he a had prior back injury. He refused further treatment.
  
  Sea Tow was called to the scene and towed the partially submerged vessel to the Canyon Club Resort Marina.
  
  An Inspection of the vessel on land at the Canyon Club Resort Marina revealed damage to the hull including a hole and gouges midship on the port side, a gouge on the aft end of the starboard side, and scratches in the gel-coat all around the hull. The interior of the hull was filled with sand, predominantly on the port side which was to the ocean and taking on wave action.
   Summonses Issued to Operator #1: Operate a Vessel without a Boater Safety Certification; Careless Operation of a Vessel.
  