V1 was north bound in the Amelia River (1) and was turning into Egans Creek and struck V2 that was exiting Egans Creek (2). V1 operator was ejected at impact and the starboard aft hull struck the transom of V2 (3). V1, unoccupied, continued in a counter clock-wise circle until beaching itself on a nearby sandbar (4). 
	On 6/18/2023 at approximately 11:00pm,  V1 a 17' Boston Whaler operated by OP1 was north bound in the Amelia River heading into Egans Creek in Nassau Co. FLORIDA. At the same time a 25' Zodiac operated by OP2 and owned by TowBoat US, was exiting Egans Creek and was turning north bound in the Amelia River. 
	 V1 starboard bow struck the port side sponson aft of the helm of V2, the TowBoat US vessel, instantly deflating the sponson as V1 continued along the port side of TowBoat, operator initiated a hard port turn as he was ejected from the vessel. V1 continued in a port turn again striking the TowBoat transom, causing a gaping hole in the starboard aft side of the hull of the Boston Whaler below the waterline. V1 continued, operator-less in counter clock-wise circles as OP1 was in the water. OP2 contacted Nassau Co Sheriff's Office via VHF and the officers were on scene a short time after. OP1 was pulled from the water by the sheriff's office. They attempted to stop the runaway vessel by putting lines in the water to foul the propeller and manuvered their patrol vessel to create wake to gound the vessel. Eventually the vessel grounded itself on Tiger Island.  
	The damage sustained by V1 were deep rub marks under the bow flare on the starboard bow, a deep gouge/hole roughly the size of a dinner plate and approximately 6 inches deep on the port aft hull under the waterline and bent steering arm connector attached to the outboard engine.
	V2 sustained damage to the port inflated sponson (popped) and knocked the helm station loose from the deck as there were exposed screws and loose screws struined about the deck. Knocked off covers to the amber emergency lights.
	At the time of the collision TowBoat operator stated that his lights were illuminated and the operator of the Boston Whaler said that towBoats lights were off. At the time of my arrival, all lights were illuminated with the exception of the starboard green side light of the TowBoat. I could not make the determination as to whether it was inoperable at the time of impact or damaged by the collision.

Egans Creek / Amelia River
FERNANDINA BEACH              