RedactedNarrative: On 8/22/18, at approximately 13:30, vessel 1 was struck by vessel 2.  Environmental conditions were calm waters, moderate winds, and light vessel traffic.
  
  Vessels 1 and 2 were traveling west down the icw near marker 67 near holden beach, nc, along with a 3rd pwc.  Vessel 1 and 2 were following this 3rd pwc in a line with vessel 1 in the middle and vessel 2 in the back.  Operator2 stated he was approximately 100' to the rear of vessel 1 and also slightly to the starboard of it. 
  
  While traveling down the icw, vessel 1 slowed and made a sharp turn to starboard causing the vessel to turn 180 degrees and to face vessel 2.  Immediately following this maneuver, Operator1 reduced throttle to the idling position.  Vessel 2 was traveling too closely to vessel 1 and turned to starboard and reduced throttle to the idle position in order to avoid colliding with vessel 1.  
  
  Vessel 1 also attempted to avoid collision but by increasing throttle and turning to port.  Vessel 2's front port side struck vessel 1 at about mid-hull on vessel 1's starboard side.  After the initial collision, vessel 2's entire port side and vessel 1's entire starboard side collided.  Neither operator was hurt but vessel 1 sustained an approximately 20” crack through the starboard hull towards the front of the hull and running to midhull while vessel 2 sustained an approximately 15” crack running through the portside hull towards the back of it.  The crack in the hull of vessel 2 also took on water which caused the engine compartment to flood. 
  
  Following the collision, both vessels were returned to holden beach jet skis which is where the vessels had been rented.  The 3rd pwc did not contribute to or witness the incident.  Both operators estimated their speed at the time of the collision to be 5 mph.  Operator2 stated he only had about 2 seconds to attempt to avoid collision with vessel 1 after it initially turned.   However, based on the damage to the vessels' hulls, the operators' statements, and lack of physical injuries, i estimate the speed of vessel 1 to be around 5 mph, the speed of vessel 2 to be around 20 mph, and the distance between vessels 1 and 2 to be about 75''. 
  
  Vessel 1's operator contributed to this incident due to operator inexperience and by making a sudden sharp turn while traveling closely with other pwcs.  Vessel 2's operator contributed to this incident due to operator inexperience and by traveling too closely at too high rate of speed to allow sufficient time to avoid a collision. 
  
  Vessel 1 sustained approximately $1500.00 in hull damage and vessel 2 is likely a total loss due to engine flooding and hull damage.
  
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