On sunday august 20th, 2023 at 1645 a center console vessel struck a tree causing two occupants to be injured and severe damage to the vessel.

The vessel and its 5 occupants were returning to the shingle landing boating access area from the northwest river through shingle landing creek.  The vessel successfully navigated through several turns in the winding creek when it made a sudden turn to the starboard.  The operator attempted to make an avoidance maneuver turning to port when they struck a tree.  

The three occupants seated in the bow area were ejected from the vessel.  Two of the occupants were transported to the hospital where they were treated and released with minor injuries.  The vessel sustained serious damage to the hull along the starboard bow section, including hull cap separation and a large fracture with a missing hull section extending from the gunwale to the chine.

The operator stated the steering system failed, but it was operational when the investigating officer arrived on scene.  The likely cause of the starboard turn was from an excessive build up of torque in the mechanical steering system in conjunction with the natural torque of the motor.  The operator could not recall if they had loosened their grip or taken their hands off the steering wheel prior to the incident. 
The creek was approximately 85' wide at the point of the incident and while the exact speed of the vessel is unknown, it is estimated to be between 10-20 miles per hour as the vessel was slowing but still on plane.  The operator had also been drinking prior to the incident.  Each of these factors may have also contributed to the incident.
N WEST RIVER
MOYOCK                        