What happened
The incident occurred while N127WA was positioned at the north side of a dock, preparing for departure toward the east. At the time, N1018H was holding at the east side of the same dock. Environmental conditions were challenging, with winds from 070 degrees at 20 knots and swells ranging from 6 to 12 inches.
A deck hand cast off N127WA before the pilot started the engine. Consequently, the aircraft began to drift backward into the dock. The pilot subsequently started the engine and attempted to maneuver away from the dock structure. However, the proximity of the dock prohibited the use of sufficient power to establish steerage under the existing weather conditions.
As a result, N127WA drifted around the northeast corner of the dock and collided with N1018H. The pilot shut down the engine after the impact. N127WA sustained substantial damage from the collision. N1018H sustained minor damage, and its pilot taxied clear.
Following the initial impact, N127WA drifted back into the east side of the dock. It sustained further damage due to continued wind and wave action.