On saturday, 07/01/2023, at approximately 7:00pm, a boating incident occurred in masonboro inlet involving two vessels.

Upon investigation, it was determined that vessel 1 was a homemade open motorboat.  Vessel 2 was an unknown vessel.

Vessel 1 was owned and operated by v1 operator.  V1 operator was operating the vessel while standing up behind the center console.  V1 passenger was a passenger of vessel 1 when the incident occurred.  V1 passenger was seated on a cooler in front of the console facing the front of the vessel.  

V1 operator was operating vessel 1 at approximately 10 mph going west in masonboro inlet towards banks channel.  Vessel 2 was travelling approximately 50 yards away from vessel 1 going east towards the atlantic ocean.  

An unexpected wake was created by vessel 2 causing v1 operator to lose his footing and fall overboard on the left side of the vessel.  The wake was around 1-2 feet.  In result of v1 operator falling overboard, his left arm was struck by vessel 1's propeller.  

V1 passenger was able to drive vessel 1 and board v1 operator back on the vessel.  V1 passenger took v1 operator to the nearby coast guard station on banks channel.  V1 operator was transported to new hanover county hospital where he suffered from a laceration from his thumb to his elbow, nerve damage, and tendon damage.  He underwent four surgeries in result of the boat incident.

There was no damage to the vessels, and no one involved in the boat incident was charged.
There is no more information on the unknown vessel or it's owner/operator.
ATLANTIC OCEAN
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH            