August 6, 2023 - Sunday

     On the above date I was detailed to the Wildwood Waverunners rental dock located at 1001 Ocean Drive in the Diamond Beach section of Lower Township, Cape May County, in reference to a personal watercraft accident involving two rented PWCs. Upon arrival I was met by a large group of renters and employees of Wildwood Waverunners.  Detective Sergeant was already on scene and advised me that the only injured party had already been transported to Cape Regional Medical Center by Inspira EMS, and provided me with her biographical and contact information. 

     I spoke with the operator of Vessel #2, who advised that she was operating the PWC with Subject1 riding on the back of her PWC. According to Operator2 they had just completed the first turn of their first lap, and were following the PWC Rental Supervisor, when she was suddenly struck from the right rear by Vessel #1. 

      The operator of Vessel #1 was identified. Operator1 stated that he was attempting to negotiate the next turn in the course but Vessel #2 had not started to turn yet. According to Operator1 he began to turn to port and struck Vessel #2. 

     I then spoke to the Rental Zone Supervisor. Supervisor said the group had already been getting too close so he was paying attention as best he could as he led the group through the first lap. Supervisor said that Vessel #2 was following behind him while Vessel #1 took the first turn too wide. Supervisor continued that as the group approached the second turn in the rental zone Vessel #1 navigated back toward the group from the starboard side, and ultimately struck Vessel #2. 

August 7, 2023 - Monday
     On the above date I spoke via telephone with the victim. Subject1 told me that she had been riding on the back of Vessel #2 in a straight line when Vessel #1 struck her from the rear starboard quarter. Subject1 advised me that as a result of the crash she suffered a laceration to the rear of her right shoulder that required twenty stitches. 

The inexperience and inattention of the operator of Vessel #1 contributed to this crash. Operator1 was issued summons for careless operation in violation of NJSA 12:7-76.  Additionally, summons was issued to Wildwood Waverunners for renting a personal watercraft to a person less than sixteen years of age in violation of NJSA 13:64-1.1.
JARVIS SOUND
LOWER TWP                     