ON AUGUST 26, 2023, AT APPROXIMATELY 0758 HRS. VESSEL 1 STRUCK A SANDBAR AT THE MOUTH OF CONTENTNEA CREEK. VESSEL 1 WAS OPERATED BY OPERATOR. ACCORDING TO OPERATOR, HE AND HIS PASSENGER WERE IN A FISHING TOURNAMENT. OPERATOR HAD LAUNCHED IN NEW BERN AT LAWSON CREEK AND DRIVEN ALL THE WAY UP TO THE MOUTH OF CONTENTNEA CREEK. VESSEL 1 STRUCK A SANDBAR DUE TO LOW WATER CONDITIONS. PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE BOAT STRUCK THE SANDBAR. DUE TO THE SUDDEN STOP PASSENGER WAS THROWN FORWARD STRIKING HIS HEAD ON THE TROLLING MOTOR. PASSENGER CUT HIS HEAD AND COMPLAINED OF PAIN AND NOT FEELING HIS TOES. EMS ARRIVED ON SCENE AND TRANSPORTED PASSENGER TO GREENVILLE. VESSEL 1 DID NOT HAVE ANY DAMAGE TO THE VESSEL. OPERATOR WAITED AT MAPLE CYPRUSS ACCESS AREA TILL LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVED.
CONTENTNEA CREEK
GRIFTON                       