# ReleasableAccidents

BARDID: TX-2012-0061
Date: 2012-05-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1710 SABINE PASS
NearestCityTown: Sabine Pass
County: 123 JEFFERSON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Missing or Inadequate Navigation Aids
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
(According to the operator)
  On May 20, 2012 at 10:30 am he was operating his boat in the boat lane near Dick Dowling Park in Sabine Pass, TX. He was approximately 100-200 yards Northwest of the park and struck a dredging pipeline which he claims was totally and completley unmarked. He says the pipeline was not visible to him or any of his four passengers and it was located just under the surface of the water. He says the pipline is owned/operated by Callan Marine, Inc. He says his speed was approximately 35 mph. He says the boat sustained serious damage to the motor and transom and two people on board the vessel sustained injuries.


BARDID: TX-2012-0062
Date: 2012-06-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0320 GRAPEVINE
NearestCityTown: Grapevine
County: 220 TARRANT
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On June 16, 2012, I, State Game Warden, received a call from Grapevine Emergency Dispatch (10:50pm) about a boat accident that occurred on Lake Grapevine. Upon arrival to the Dove Loop boat ramp, Vessel 1 was at the dock. Vessel 2 was not located that night but called the next day to report being in the accident. After interviewing all parties involved and all people aboard each vessel, the most consistent story was:

1> Vessel 1 was traveling south at approximately 30mph from the north beach toward Katie's Woods on the south end of the lake.
2> Vessel 2 was traveling at approximately 10mph on plane from Twin Coves Marina on the east side of the lake toward Meadowmere Park on the west side of the lake.
3> Operators on both vessels never saw the other vessel until the last second. Operator of Vessel 1 turned right as operator of Vessel 2 turned left but the collision still occurred causing substantial damage to Vessel 1 and injuring one person. The starboard bow of Vessel 2 struck the mid-port side of Vessel 1. Injuries resulted from impact.
4> After the accident occurred both vessels went to the nearest shore to assess injuries. 911 was called at this point. Each vessels' passengers stated that the other vessel was supposed to follow them in to the boat ramp. Neither vessel followed the other one and no information was exchanged.
5> Vessel 1 was interviewed that evening and the operator was to be arrested for BWI.
6> Vessel 2 operator called the next evening at 5:00pm. He was interviewed as well as his passengers. He was cited for violating Inland Navigation Rules PWC 31.093.

-Both parties stated that their navigation lights were on prior to the accident and Vessel 2's lights went out after the accident.


BARDID: TX-2012-0063
Date: 2012-06-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:46:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0566 PALESTINE
NearestCityTown: Bullard
County: 212 SMITH
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Ignition of Spilled Fuel or Vapor
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
RedactedNarrative:
On June 10, 2012 at approximately 10:46 while in Emerald Bay, Smith County, I noticed a boat adrift and on fire on Lake Palestine.  I proceeded to the boat ramp at the Emerald Bay Marina where my boat was in a slip.  I proceeded to the Northeast to the next cove towards vessel 1.  Bullard Fire Department showed up in their rescue boat and attempted to put out the fire.  After a few attempts we decided to tow the boat to shore to put out the fire.  The boat was drifting towards a boat house and was begining to sink.  After aboat 50 feet of being the towed vessel 1 sank.  I then contacted the owner and asked him questions aboat the accident.  He stated the blower was on and the fire started upon ignition.  He also stated that everyone on the boat was wearing a life jacket.


BARDID: TX-2013-0207
Date: 2013-07-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0466 LYNDON B. JOHNSON
NearestCityTown: Kingsland
County: 150 LLANO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Tuesday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
RedactedNarrative:
I was driving my 1989 MasterCraft Pro star 190 while towing a 4 person inflatable raft that is designed for towing up to 4 persons. I rented the raft (rope included) the morning of July 30, 2013 from Country Cove Cabins at about 9 AM – the place where I was renting a cabin at the time. I had already pulled 7 people riding 3 and 4 at a time without incident. At approximately 3:15 PM I was traveling downstream from Country Cove cabins on the Colorado river towing 4 adolescent males between the ages of 9 and 20 when I approached the North shoreline to prepare to make a 180 degree turn to go back towards the cabins. The boat speed was approximately 20 mph. I could see that the raft was nearing the dock and turned sharply in an attempt to pull the raft away from the dock. I misjudged the distance and the 20 year old on the right side of the raft struck the back of a boat that was in the dock, suspended from cables. Specifically, the boy’s right calf struck the propeller resulting in an approximately 6 inch cut below the knee. I stopped the boat and pulled the raft up to the boat and got the injured male off of the raft and into the boat while one of the others called 911 with my phone. I wrapped the injured leg in a t-shirt that I had on the boat and elevated the injured leg. I noticed an elderly woman standing in her back yard and asked her to call 911. I gave the 911 dispatcher my name and location relative to the cabins and nature of the injury. I also informed the 911 dispatcher that the lady in the back yard of her home could give them an address for my location. The boat drifted to the shore and 2 of the boys got off of the boat and were taken back to the cabin by the lady in the back yard. The EMT and officers arrived and removed the injured male from the boat using a back board. I tied the raft to the back of the boat and went back to the cabin. There were no drugs or alcohol involved in the accident.


end


BARDID: TX-2013-0208
Date: 2013-07-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:46:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0587 PLACID
NearestCityTown: Seguin
County: 094 GUADALUPE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On July 14, 2013 at approximately 7:46 pm, operator2 was operating a personal watercraft on Lake Placid.  Operator2 had his nephew sitting in front of him.  At the same time, Operator1 was getting ready to pull a wakeboarder behind his boat.  Operator1 had just taken the slack out of the ski rope when operator2 drove the PWC between the skier and the ski boat.  The ski rope caught v2occupants in the mouth.  V2occupant was transported to the hospital by ambulance and operator2 was air lifted to San Antonio.


BARDID: TX-2013-0209
Date: 2013-07-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 02:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0466 LYNDON B. JOHNSON
NearestCityTown: Horseshoe Bay
County: 150 LLANO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: None
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Inadequate onboard navigation lights
AccidentCause2: Restricted vision
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was traveling in a south easterly direction from Light House Point when it collide with an unoccupied and unlit vessel 2 which had drifted away from its moorings.  V1 operator was injured upon impact.


BARDID: TX-2013-0210
Date: 2013-05-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Lago Vista
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
Op stated he was driving V1 down river between Mile Marker 15 and 16 by Dink Pearson Park in high winds and rough water when  his vessel ran aground.  Op said V1 hit a tree stump which punctured the hull near the port bow and damaged his propellers and outdrives.  Op of V1 said V1 was being repaired at Lakeway Marina.  This Officer responded to Lakeway Marina and inspected V1.  The damage that is outlined on V1 is consistent with a grounded vessel collision.  Cause of grounding is excessive speed and failure to keep a proper lookout.  OP did not obtain a weather report prior to leave mooring.


BARDID: TX-2013-0211
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2013-06-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:16:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Volente
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Equipment failure
EquipmentFailure: Other
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (non-fuel)
RedactedNarrative:
On 6/14/13 at approximately 1736 hours this Officer with the Lower Colorado River Authority, received a dispatched call for service of a boat fire at Bob Wentz Park located at 7144 Comanche Trail, Austin, Tx. Once on scene, it was noticed that a party boat, displaying TX 8708 AW, known as Flagship of Texas docked and secured, was fully engulfed in flames and Lake Travis Fire was attempting to extinguish the fire.  According to witness 1 and 2, they were preparing for an evening dinner cruise and were cooking the evening meals.  While witness 1, the cook was cooking the food, he heard an explosion and observed fire coming out of the lower oven in the gallery and vessel quickly became engulfed in flames.  Witness 1 then attempted to us a on board fire extinguisher, but was unable to put out the fire.  Witness 2, a on board waitress, heard the explosion in the galley and saw witness  1 attempting to put out the fire.  Both witness1 and 2 then exited the vessel and called 911.  Witness 1 and 2 suffered no apparent injuries in the fire.


BARDID: TX-2013-0212
Date: 2013-07-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:20:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0590 POSSUM KINGDOM
NearestCityTown: Graford
County: 182 PALO PINTO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: People on gunwale, bow, or transom
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Several vessels were moored together inside Hells Gate.  Two rolls of boats were transom to transom approximately 20 to 25 feet apart.  Victim had jumped from vessel #1 and swam to vessel #2. Victim spoke to witness #2 in vessel #2. Victim was resting on the swim dock, at the rear port side of vessel #2.  Witness #2 stated that was at the swim deck for approximately 3 to 4 minutes after they had spoken to each other.  Witness #2 had walked away, when she returned the victim was no longer at the rear of the vessel. Shortly after noticing the victim gone the victims boyfriend came looking for her, 
Victim was recovered the next day by divers in approximately 35 feet of water.

Victim succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning.


BARDID: TX-2013-0213
Date: 2013-05-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:27:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0446 LBJ GRASSLAND 123
NearestCityTown: Kingsland
County: 027 BURNET
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
v1 was near the Twin Isles inlet when an unknown PWC and unknown operator ran into V1 port bow causing damage to V1port bow and threw two people from v1.  operator1 told me that unknown v2 did not stop and he had no description of v2.There were no injuries.


BARDID: UT-2011-0085
Date: 2011-07-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:40:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE POWELL
NearestCityTown: BULLFROG
County: SAN JUAN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: UNKNOWN
Visibility: UNKN
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
INJURED JUMPED FROM V1 TO V2 WHEN HE SLIPPED & FELL LANDING IN THE WATER.  HE HIT HIS LEFT LEG ON PART OF THE HOUSEBOAT CAUSING A LACERATION AND SEVERE PAIN ON HIS LEFT LEG


BARDID: UT-2011-0086
Date: 2011-07-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:45:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE POWELL
NearestCityTown: PAGE
County: KANE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: UNKN
DayofWeek: Tuesday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inexperience
AccidentCause2: OPERATOR INATTENTION
AccidentCause3: IMPROPER LOOKOUT
AccidentEvent1: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Propeller
RedactedNarrative:
V2 operator JUMPED V1 WAKE AND LANDED IN WATER.  V1 MAD A U TURN AND CAME OVER THE TOP OF INJURED CUTTING HIM WITH THE PROP


BARDID: UT-2011-0087
Date: 2011-08-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:00:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE POWELL
NearestCityTown: PAGE
County: KANE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inattention
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
RedactedNarrative:
V1 TOWING V2.  V1 SIDE TIED V2 FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF V1.  OPERATOR DID NOT PAY ATTENTION WHEN TURNING V1 CAUSING V2 TO TAKE ON WATER.


BARDID: UT-2011-0088
Date: 2011-08-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE POWELL
NearestCityTown: BULLFROG
County: KANE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: UNKN
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Skier Mishap
RedactedNarrative:
INJURED WAS ATTEMPTING TO WATER SKI SHE COMPLAINED OF muscle PAIN AND A POSSIBLE TORN HAMSTRING IN HER LEFT LEG.  INJURY OCCURRED WHILE SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET PULLED BY V1


BARDID: UT-2011-0089
Date: 2011-09-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE POWELL
NearestCityTown: HITE
County: SAN JUAN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: None
Visibility: UNKN
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inattention
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
OPERATOR WAS TOWING A SKIER WHEN HE SAW AN APPROACHING SANDBAR UNDER THE WATER.  HE IMMEDIATELY PUT BOAT IN REVERS BUT WAS TOO LATE TO AVOID HITTING THE SANDBAR AND VESSEL COMPLETELY GROUNDED.  DAMAGE WAS MAINLY TO UNDER SIDE GEL AND THE SKEG


BARDID: UT-2011-0091
Date: 2011-07-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:30:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE POWELL
NearestCityTown: BULLFROG
County: KANE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: UNKN
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Machinery Failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Fixed Object
RedactedNarrative:
OPERATOR COMING BACK INTO MARINA AT A SLOW RATE AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VESSEL PROPERLY.  HE TRIED TO THROTTLE IN REVERSE BUT ENGINE DID NOT ENGAGE.  OPERATOR WAS NOT ABLE TO PREVENT THE IMPACT WITH THE DOCK IMPACTING THE BOW, PORT SIDE OF THE HOUSEBOAT.  CRACK IN FRAME IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND PUSHED IN.  RAILING AND DECK WAS PUSHED UP AND PORTIONS OF DECK IS MISSING.  LINKAGE CAME APART DUE TO COTTER PIN THAT WAS MISSING.


BARDID: UT-2011-0092
Date: 2011-07-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE POWELL
NearestCityTown: BULLFROG
County: SAN JUAN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: UNKN
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Other
AccidentCause2: OPERATOR INATTENTION
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Person Struck by Propeller
RedactedNarrative:
WHILE OPERATOR ATTEMPTING TO BEACH VESSEL A STERN LINE CAME OFF THE BOAT.  INJURED GOT INTO THE WATER TO RETRIEVE THE LINE.  WHILE INJURED WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL THE LINE BACK UP THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND HE GOT TOO CLOSE TO PROPELLERS WHICH IT SUCKED HIS LEFT FOOT STRIKING IT 3 TIMES.


BARDID: UT-2013-0058
Date: 2013-08-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: Strawberry Reservoir
NearestCityTown: Heber
County: Wasatch
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Missing or Inadequate Navigation Aids
EquipmentFailure: Radio
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
Wildlife Officer called me and stated he was up at Strawberry and had a boat accident for me to do a report on.

I asked him what happened and he stated that the boat had run aground and had damaged the drive. I asked him to gather up all the information and I would do the report later. 

Officer had the individual fill out a witness statement;

"We were over in Sage Creek and when we came out we hit a rock/or island going 25 to 30 MPH. There were no buoys to warn of danger. The depth finder in boat said the depth was 45 feet deep and then suddenly went to 0 depth. The lower drive unit of boat damaged. Boat is a Crownline. "

There were no injuries or damage to other boats, person's or property.


BARDID: UT-2013-0059
Date: 2013-08-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:45:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: Yuba Reservoir
NearestCityTown: Fayette
County: Sanpete
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
The victim fell off the back of the boat.  He was standing on the swim platform and had been pulling the tube in.  The boat operator was pulling the boat into the beach.  The boat got too close to the beach and operator, put the boat in reverse, this caused victim to lose his balance and fall overboard.  victim was hit by the boat prop, sustaining lacerations on both legs.


BARDID: UT-2013-0063
Date: 2013-08-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:40:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: Willard Bay
NearestCityTown: South Willard
County: Box Elder
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
Reporting subject informed me that the individuals with the reporting party said that they had located the missing personal watercraft (PWC), but that the operator was not onboard when they located it. I was further informed that OPERATOR was not wearing a lifejacket (personal floatation device - PFD) when he went missing. I also learned from Box Elder Dispatch that the reporting party had the last sighting of OPERATOR at approximately 13:40. 

RECOVERY: The search continued until OPERATOR's body was found and recovered at approximately 16:51. OPERATOR was located at N41 21.720' W112 04.824' at a depth of approximately 10'. The body was transported to the Willard Bay State Park office where it was met by Deputy Medical Examiner. The body was photographed and documented (see case #201301674). It was then packaged and transported to the Utah State Medical Exami

It is assumed that the victim fell overboard in heavy weather.


BARDID: UT-2013-0064
Date: 2013-08-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:14:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: Bear Lake
NearestCityTown: Garden City
County: Rich
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
A call came out for a vessel accident, where someone had been cut by the propeller and was bleeding badly, so they requested an ambulance to go to the marina where the boat would bring the person in.  I was on our patrol boat, responded to the marina. Shortly after I arrived, the vessel with victim (the person who got cut) came into the marina, where the ambulance was already waiting.

He had a sever laceration to his left thigh, the other passengers already had it tied off and bandaged up as best as they could. victim was talking, even joking that his wife ran him over. He said he was wakeboarding, she came around to pick him up, but drifted into him and the prop cut his leg.

The other passengers verified that the boat just drifted over to where he was in the water waiting to be picked up when he got cut by the propeller.

After the ambulance left, I took photo's of the boat, talked to those who took the boat out of the water.


BARDID: UT-2013-0065
Date: 2013-09-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:35:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: Jordanelle Reservoir
NearestCityTown: Heber
County: Wasatch
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Other
OtherAccidentEvent: person struck by vsl equipment
RedactedNarrative:
Synopsis:
subject was sailing with two people.  When OPERATOR was tossed overboard two people turned the vessel around to get OPERATOR.  While attempting to turn around, the boom of the sail hit victim.  VICTIM was knocked unconscious for several minutes and sustained a laceration to the forehead.  VICTIM was taken to Park City Medical Center by ambulance.

L12 informed me that one of my camp hosts was the one that called 911 to report the accident. HOST explained that she was at the launch ramp taking pictures of the sailing regatta.  As she was taking pictures she said a sail boat drop off a man that was bleeding from the head.  She had this man sit down in the side by side ohv that she was driving until she could get him help.   At this time an EMT came over to help.  

CONCLUSION
VICTIM sustain a laceration to the forehead along with a possible concussion.  He was admitted to Park City Medical Center for further treatment.


BARDID: UT-2013-0066
Date: 2013-08-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:15:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: Flaming Gorge
NearestCityTown: Dutch John
County: Daggett
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel #1 was out on Flaming Gorge Reservoir in the Horseshoe Canyon area.  The vessel operator was pulling a tube occupied by 3 people behind the boat,  The tube rolled over a wave ejecting all 3 of its occupants into the water.  All 3 occupants were pulled into the boat and one subject collapsed in pain on the floor of the boat.  subject fractured her lower lumbar.


BARDID: UT-2013-0067
Date: 2013-08-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE POWELL
NearestCityTown: SAN JUAN
County: HALLS CROSSING
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
RedactedNarrative:
AFTER REFUELING, UNTIED BOW AND STERN LINE WHEN A STRONG GUST OF WIND BEGAN TO PUSH HOUSEBOAT AWAY FROM THE DOCK. FEARING THAT THE HOUSEBOAT WOULD DRIFT TOWARD THE SHORELINE THE PASSENGERS RETIED THE STERN LIN TO THE DOCK.  DESPITE THE ATTEMPTS TO SECURE THE BOAT THE WIND CONTINUED TO PUSH THE VESSEL AWAY.  AS THEY CONTINUED TO DRIFT THE STERN LINE GOT INCREASINGLY TAUGHT AND EVENTUALLY BROKE ITS ANCHOR POINT CAUSING THE APPROX 7' SECTION OF ALUMN RAILING TO BE RIPPED OFF THE VESSEL AND FALL INTO THE WATER.  OPERATOR BELIEVES TWO ANCHORS POSSIBLY WENT MISSING/FELL INTO THE WATER AS WELL


BARDID: UT-2013-0068
Date: 2013-09-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:30:00
State: UT
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE POWELL
NearestCityTown: BULLFROG
County: KANE
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
OPERATOR TRIED TO GO OVER A WAVE SIDEWAYS AND THE PWC ROLLED TO THE LEFT.  OPERATOR LEANED FORWARD SO THAT PASSENGER WOULD NOT COLLIDE WITH HIM.  AS OPERATOR LEANED FORWARD AND ROLLED OFF THE PWC TO THE LEFT, INJURED HELD ONTO OPERATOR'S LIFE JACKET AND FELL OFF.  AS INJURED HIT THE WATER HER RIGHT SHOULDER WAS DISLOCATED.


BARDID: VA-2010-0048
Date: 2010-06-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:15:00
State: VA
NameOfBodyOfWater: Chesapeake Bay 023
NearestCityTown: NORFOLK/WILLOUGHBY SPIT MARINA
County: NORFOLK 117
WaterConditions: Calm
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Congested Waters
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Submerged Object
RedactedNarrative:
VESSEL STRUCK A SUBMERGED OBJECT WHILE MOVING INTO POSITION FOR AN ORGANIZED RACE OFF SEWELLS POINT IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. ESTIMATE OF DAMAGE WAS GIVEN TO THE OWNER BY THE SHIPYARD REPAIR FACILITY.

PropertyDamageDescription:
1990 RIVERSIDE BOATWORKS, HADLEY 40 SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE KEEL WHEN VESSEL STRUCK A SUBMERGED OBJECT. KEEL IS CRACKED ALL AROUND WHERE IT CONNECTS    TO THE HULL AND HAS ROCKS IMBEDDED INTO THE FIBERGLASS.


BARDID: VA-2010-0049
Date: 2010-07-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:05:00
State: VA
NameOfBodyOfWater: DEEP CREEK 039
NearestCityTown: CHESAPEAKE/GREAT BRIDGE LOCKS
County: CHESAPEAKE 126
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Force of Wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
OPERATOR OF A PWC JUMPED A WAKE OF A PASSING BOAT, WHEN THE PWC LANDED, THE OPERATOR INJUED HIS LEFT KNEE.


BARDID: VA-2010-0050
Date: 2010-07-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:45:00
State: VA
NameOfBodyOfWater: Rappahannock River 130
NearestCityTown: WATERVIEW
County: LANCASTER 051
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Fixed Object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
ON THE LISTED DATE AND TIME, operator WAS OPERATING A 2005 23' CHAPARRAL BOWRIDER, VA 7575 BF, IN A NORTH WESTERLY DIRECTION UP THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER WHEN HE STRUCK THE STANCHIONS OF THE #10 CHANNEL MARKER RESULTING IN ONE FATALITY AND MULTIPLE INJURIES.




THIS ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING AND INCOMPLETE AT THIS TIME.

PropertyDamageDescription:
ASSISTING AGENCY(S): US COAST GUARD, MIDDLESEX VOL. FIRE/RESCUE, MIDDLESEX SHERIFFS OFFICE, VIRGINIA STATE POLICE, DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND INLAND FISHERIES.


BARDID: VA-2010-0051
Date: 2010-07-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:29:00
State: VA
NameOfBodyOfWater: Occoquan River 113
NearestCityTown: TOWN OF OCCOQUAN/OCCOQUAN REG.
County: PRINCE WILLIAM 076
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Ignition of Spilled Fuel or Vapor
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
RedactedNarrative:
AFTER FUELING AT THE PRINCE WILLIAM MARINA, THE OPERATOR STARTED BOTH ENGINES. THE ENGINES WERE BOTH RUNNING WHEN THERE WAS A SERIES OF TWO QUICK EXPLOSIONS. THE SECOND ONE APPEARED TO BE MORE VIOLENT THAT THE FIRST, CAUSING THE ENGINE HATCH TO BLOW OPEN AND EJECT THE CUP HOLDERS. THE HALON SYSTEM WAS DEPLOYED EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE.


BARDID: VA-2010-0052
Date: 2010-08-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:24:00
State: VA
NameOfBodyOfWater: Smith Mountain Lake 148
NearestCityTown: HUDDLESTON, VA/MITCHELL'S MARI
County: BEDFORD 009
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: None
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Person Departed Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
A MOTORBOAT WAS ATTEMPTING TO DOCK AT MITCHELL'S MARINA ON THE CRADDOCK CREEK SECTION OF SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE. THE PASSENGER JUMPED FROM THE BOAT TO THE DOCK, AND BROKE THE RADIUS BONE IN HIS RIGHT ARM.


BARDID: VA-2010-0053
Date: 2010-07-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
State: VA
NameOfBodyOfWater: LEESVILLE RESERVOIR 084
NearestCityTown: TRI-COUNTY MARINA
County: PITTSYLVANIA 071
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Navigation Rules Violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
AccidentEvent2: PERSON STRUCK BY VESSEL
RedactedNarrative:
BOAT #1 SLOWED DOWN TO STOP NEAR TOLERS BRIDGE ON LEESVILLE LAKE. BOAT #2 STRUCK BOAT #1 IN THE STARBOARD STERN AND CONTINUED ACROSS THE STARBOARD BOW.


BARDID: VA-2011-0074
Date: 2011-06-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:30:00
State: VA
NameOfBodyOfWater: CLAYTOR LAKE 030
NearestCityTown: DUBLIN DEHAVEN PARK BOAT RAMP
County: Pulaski 077
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Skier Mishap
RedactedNarrative:
victim WAS WATER SKIING ON TWO SKIS WHILE BEING PULLED BY A SKI BOAT. victim TRIED TO GO FROM TWO SKIS TO ONE SKI AND FELL INJURING HIS RIGHT ARM.


BARDID: VA-2011-0075
Date: 2011-07-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
State: VA
NameOfBodyOfWater: CHICKAHOMINY RIVER 026
NearestCityTown: LANEXA/RIVERS REST MARINA
County: Charles City 018
WaterConditions: Calm
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Hazardous Waters
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
BOAT #1 OPERATOR WAS FOLLOWING 2 BOATS UP RIVER ON HIS PWC. HE ENCOUNTERED  TWO LARGE WAKES FROM THE TWO MOTOR BOATS AND TRIED TO MANEUVER AROUND THEM. THIS CAUSED HIM TO FALL OFF HIS PWC. AS HE FELL, HIS FACE STRUCK THE REAR PORT SIDE OF THE PWC.


BARDID: VA-2011-0076
Date: 2011-07-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 01:30:00
State: VA
NameOfBodyOfWater: James River 067
NearestCityTown: HOPEWWELL/CITY MARINA
County: PRINCE GEORGE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
A 24' FISHING BOAT WAS ANCHORED IN THE VICINITY OF BUOY #122 ON THE JAMES RIVER. A TUGBOAT PUSHING A BARGE STRUCK THE ANCHORED BOAT ON THE PORT SIDE.


BARDID: VA-2011-0077
Date: 2011-07-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:30:00
State: VA
NameOfBodyOfWater: Chesapeake Bay 023
NearestCityTown: CAPE CHARLES/KIPTOPEKE
County: NORTHAMPTON 065
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Fixed Object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
VESSEL #1 WAS TRAVELING THROUGH THE YORK SPLIT CHANNEL TOWARDS THE POQUOSON RIVER. OPERATOR BECAME DISTRACTED WHILE SHOWING STEPSON RADAR SCREEN AND COLLIDED WITH R "24" ON THE STARBOARD SIDE OF VESSEL.


BARDID: VA-2011-0078
Date: 2011-07-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:23:00
State: VA
NameOfBodyOfWater: PIANKATANK RIVER 118
NearestCityTown: DELTAVILLE, VA./FISHING BAY MA
County: MIDDLESEX 059
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
46' SILVERTON, WHILE MAKING WAY, COLLIDED WITH AN ANCHORED 47' SAILMASTER. THE BOW OF THE SILVERTON DAMAGED THE STARBOARD SIDE OF THE SAILMASTER CREATING A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 24" IN DIAMETER. THE OPERATOR OF THE SILVERTON WAS LATER DETERMINED TO BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND ARRESTED FOR THE OFFENSE.


BARDID: VA-2011-0079
Date: 2011-07-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:45:00
State: VA
NameOfBodyOfWater: BUGGS ISLAND LAKE 017
NearestCityTown: CLARKSVILLE/OCCONEECHEE BOAT R
County: Mecklenburg 058
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: unseen water hazard
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
THE VESSEL OPERATOR WAS ENTERING A COVE ENROUTE TO THE BOAT RAMP. THE OPERATOR RAN OVER A SUBMERGED ROCK PILE DAMAGING HIS HULL, LOWER UNIT, PROPELLER AND TRANSDUCER.


BARDID: VA-2011-0080
Date: 2011-07-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:35:00
State: VA
NameOfBodyOfWater: CHESAPEAKE BAY 023
NearestCityTown: VIRGINIA BEACH/LITTLE CREEK MA
County: VIRGINIA BEACH 125
WaterConditions: UNKNOWN
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Machinery Failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Fixed Object
RedactedNarrative:
DUE TO A STRONG TIDAL CURRENT AND WIND, VESSEL #1 BEGAN TO DRIFT TOWARD THE BRIDGE WHILE UNDER SAIL. OPERATOR OF VESSEL #1 ATTEMPTED TO START OUTBOARD MOTOR WHICH BECAME DISABLED, SUBSEQUENTLY STRIKING THE BRIDGE SPAN AT THE VESSEL MAST..


BARDID: WA-2012-0119
Date: 2012-08-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:20:00
State: WA
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Roosevelt
NearestCityTown: Grand Coulee
County: Grant
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Overloading
AccidentCause2: Improper loading
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
RedactedNarrative:
On 08/15/2012, at about 9:20 pm, a 1970's model Hewes Craft 12' flat bottom boat was beached at Crescent Bay's boat ramp and was still submerged.  The operator was contacted by law enforcement personnel.  The officers reported smelling alcohol on Operator's breath.  Operator stated that he had drunk a couple of beers after the accident while floating in the water.  Officers conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) on Operator which he passed.  Operator was advised by law enforcement not to operate a motor vehicle as he appeared to be near the legal limit. 

According to Operator's witness statement, he and two women, left Spring Canyon boat launch at about 6:30 pm towards a fire they saw burning on the North side of the lake.  Operator was operating the boat.  Occupant1 was sitting in the middle and Occupant2 was sitting in front.  Occupant1 was turning in the boat to see the fire and possibly trying to switch seats with Occupant2.  Occupant1 went to the front of the boat and then the boat took on water.  Operator put the boat in reverse to try to prevent the boat from sinking.  Ice chests and gas tanks were floating in the water.  Everyone on board was wearing PFDs.  A couple of nearby boats came to remove the 3 passengers from the water.  While the boat was under water Operator said he retrieved some beer from the cooler and drank the beer while swimming across.  This all occurred over approximately 2 hours.  Operator was transported back to Spring Canyon campground by law enforcement as he had no other means of transportation.  He asked officers if he could go get his truck and boat trailer at the launch.  He was once again told by law enforcement personnel that he could not drive that night and he would be able to retrieve them in the morning. 

After dropping Operator at the campground the officers left enroute to the Coulee Medical Center to take witness statements from Occupant2 and Occupant1.  Officers were advised upon arrival that Occupant1 had left with her mother.  They tried several times unsuccessfully to contact Occupant1 by telephone.  They left a message informing Occupant1 that a witness statement was needed regarding her involvement in the boating accident.  Occupant2 was being treated for dehydration.  She agreed to give a statement. 

According to Occupant2's statement, she was not wearing a PFD although there were 3 PFDs in the boat.  She was floating on 2 PFDs while she was in the water.  She observed Operator holding onto the boat while she was holding onto Occupant1.  She called 911 three times and Occupant1's mother once.  She was screaming for someone to help them.  A nearby boat arrived with people on it and removed she and Occupant1 from the water.  A person on the assisting boat said that another boat had rescued Operator.  Her next recollection was she was in an ambulance.  Operator had left to go to the boat.  Occupant2 told officers that she had 4 beers at the campsite then recanted saying she only had 2 beers.  She said everyone was having shots of whiskey prior to leaving on the boat. 

Officers left Coulee Medical Center and returned to Spring Canyon campground.  They observed lights from the boat launch area traveling towards the campsites.  Upon closer inspection one officer noticed it was a truck pulling a boat trailer.  As the truck came to rest at the Stop sign, he positioned the patrol vehicle next to the truck.  A female was operating with Operator in the passenger seat.  The officer asked if the female's name was (Occupant1) and she stated that it was.  Officers followed the vehicle back to campsite #27 and requested Occupant1's  ID and a witness statement.  She provided a Washington state driver's license identifying her.  While talking to Occupant1, the officer noticed the smell of alcohol emitting from her breath.  He asked Occupant1 how much she had to drink that night and she stated a couple of beers.  


BARDID: WA-2012-0121
Date: 2012-07-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:56:00
State: WA
NameOfBodyOfWater: Spokane River
NearestCityTown: Spokane
County: Spokane
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: None
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 07/21/2012, at about 12:56 p.m. the operator of a small one-man raft was floating down the Spokane River. He had been drinking and was reported by witnesses to be intoxicated.  He had a Type II PFD on board but was not wearing it and no paddles on board the vessel.  He had been on the water about 30 minutes prior to the incident. 

Near the Sandifur Bridge he entered a Class II rapids and the raft was swept into a concrete pillar, where it became entangled with a large tree which was pinned against the pillar.  raft capsized and he was pinned against the tree branches.  The swift current held him under water and he drowned.  His raft and PFD were recovered downstream.   

victim was removed from the tree by emergency personnel and transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. 

There were no injuries - 1 fatality. 
The operator was intoxicated and there was evidence of alcohol. 
There was no damage to the vessel. 
The victim was not wearing a PFD but there was a Type II on board the vessel. 
The victim had no formal operator instruction and did not have the mandatory boater education card. 
There were no Rules of the Road violations and it is strongly suspected that he exceeded the .08 limit for operating a vessel.


BARDID: WA-2012-0122
Date: 2012-07-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:57:00
State: WA
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Whatcom
NearestCityTown: Bellingham
County: Whatcom
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Person Departed Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 07/08/2013 at about 12:57 p.m. a 1988 19' Sunbird cabin motorboat operated and owned by individual was stopped and turned off after doing some tubing/skiing on South Lake Whatcom in the Basin 3 area. The tube was pulled in next to the boat. There was no one operating the vessel and it was drifting.  Under Washington state law "underway" means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground (RCW 79A.60.010(28). 

The vessel operator/owner and a passenger decided to go for a quick swim and voluntarily jumped from the boat. After swimming for a short time both subjects were swimming back to the boat when Victim began having trouble and yelled for help.  He was waving his arms in distress and Subject swam back to Victim, attempting to help him back to the boat, but Victim struggles started to pull Subject under the water with him.  Subject felt as though he was going to drown and he let go and swam back to the boat. Subject and others on board attempted to throw flotation devices to Victim who was sinking under the water. He did not surface again after going under. 

The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Marine Services Unit did search and rescue/recovery operations for several days after the incident. Victim was not recovered as of March 6, 2013 and is presumed drowned. 

One disappearance - Presumed drowned. 
No injuries. 
Alcohol was not indicated as a factor in this incident. 
There was no vessel damage reported. 
No one on board the vessel or swimming in the lake was wearing a PFD. 
It is unknown if anyone involved in the incident had a mandatory Boater Education Card. 
There were no Rules of the Road operating violations.


BARDID: WA-2012-1001
Date: 2012-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:45:00
State: WA
NameOfBodyOfWater: Pacific Ocean
NearestCityTown: Willapa
County: Pacific
WaterConditions: Unknown
Wind: Unknown
Visibility: Unkn
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
MISLE report indicates that a person fell out of a raft.  When the body was recovered, CPR was administered but to no avail.  The individual had been in the water approximately 30 minutes.


BARDID: WA-2013-0001
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2013-01-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:45:00
State: WA
NameOfBodyOfWater: Skagit River
NearestCityTown: Sedro-Woolley
County: Skagit
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 1/3/2013 at about 1:45 p.m., the victim had gone drift fishing on the Skagit River in an area known as Deadman's Slough, 1 - 1.5 miles east of the Sedro-Woolley public boat launch in Skagit county.  He was operating a 1996, 12' aluminum jon boat powered by a 9.9HP outboard motor.  He had been on the water about 1 hour before the incident occurred.  According to operator, as the boat was drifting it hit a submerged log flipping him out of the boat.  He clung to the boat and rode with it all the way down to a log jam.  When he hit the log jam, the boat flipped upside down and left him clinging to the log jam.   

Law enforcement located operator, removed him from the log jam, and transported him to the boat launch at the Wildcat Steelhead club.  According to officers operator was hypothermic and aid was on the scene.  operator was blue in the face and very red, starting to shake uncontrollably.  He was cut out of his wet clothing and transported to United General Hospital for treatment. 

operator was wearing an inflatable Type V PFD.  
 
He did not have the mandatory boater education card.   He is exempt under current state law.  He had completed a US Power Squadrons class.  
He indicated that he had over 500 hours of boating experience. 

Boat damage estimated at $3500.00. 

There was no indication of alcohol use. 

No Rules of the Road violation.


BARDID: WA-2013-0002
Date: 2013-01-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:20:00
State: WA
NameOfBodyOfWater: Port Ludlow
NearestCityTown: Port Ludlow
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Storm
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Tuesday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 1/8/2013 at about 3:20 p.m., V1 was hit by V2 while moored at the Port Ludlow Marina in Jefferson county. 

Vessel #1 - 1979, 45'11" Cheoy Lee fiberglass cabin motorboat (VEDA ELIZABETH) powered by a 240 HP Ford Lehman motor.  
Vessel #2 -  2011, 143'3" Westport Shipyard GRC fiberglass cabin motorboat (SOLUTION) powered by a 7000 HP MTU Inboard motor.  
  
V1 reported that while moored, during strong winds, V2 attempted to dock near his vessel.  V2 struck the bow of V1 snapping the bow sprit.  After pivoting in reverse, V2 again struck/squeezed V1 against the dock. 

No injuries or fatalities reported. 
No apparent alcohol involvement. 

Damage to V1 is estimated at $25,000.00. 
No damage reported to V2. 

V1 reported having 10 PFDs on board.  V2 had 24 PFDs.  No PFDs were being worn at the time of the incident. 

Neither Operator had a Boater Education Card. 

Both Operators reported having over 500 hours of experience.   


(V1) completed an ASA Basic Keelboat class. 
 (V2) indicated being a Licensed Captain/Merchant Mariner Credential.  No indication of his formal training. 

No Rules of the Road Violation.
 
After 3 attempts to obtain the BAR for Vessel #2 from Jefferson CSO, the BAR was received on 2/12/2013.  In reviewing the BAR, it was discovered that Vessel #2 was a Commercial vessel.  The report was forwarded to the 13th District RBS Administrator, on 2/13/2013.


BARDID: WA-2013-0003
Date: 2013-02-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
State: WA
NameOfBodyOfWater: Port Townsend Bay
NearestCityTown: Port Townsend
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Very Rough
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Storm
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Improper anchoring
AccidentCause2: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
RedactedNarrative:
On 2/16/2013 in the evening at about 7:00 p.m. a 1979 39' Cross Auxiliary sailboat named the "AUKAI" was anchored in Port Townsend Bay, Jefferson County near Indian Island.  There was no one operating the vessel and it was at anchor.  Unexpected high winds caused the boat to drag off anchor and eventually it slammed into a Navy fence on Indian Island.  There was extensive damage to the vessel on the port side as a result of the waves and wind as it repeatedly hit the fence.   

No injuries. 
No fatalities. 
Alcohol was not indicated as a factor in this incident. 
Vessel damage was reported at $10,000. 
No one on board the vessel was wearing a PFD. 
A Boater Education Card was not required as the boat had been at anchor and did not have an operator when it dragged off station. 
There were no Rules of the Road operating violations.


BARDID: TX-2011-0196
Date: 2011-08-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 01:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2180 GALVESTON BAY
NearestCityTown: Galveston
County: 084 GALVESTON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Inadequate Onboard Navigation Lights
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
I was notified on August 9, 2011 of a boat accident that occurred on August 7th. I began my investigation by calling all parties involved and setting up an appointment time to get their statements, have them fill out a PWD 0311- Boating Accident Report, and inspect and take pictures of the vessels involved. 
     Vessel #1 was the vinyl raft that was owned and oared by Operator1. He claims (see attached statements and PWD 0311 reports) that he and his girlfriend were at anchor not far off the bank and at the second pillar of the Galveston Causeway fishing and relaxing. All of the sudden around 1:00 am he heard a noise getting louder and louder and before he knew it a boat was about to collide with his raft. He told me that he screamed but didn’t have time to react. Operator1 told the GPD officer who responded the night of the accident that he saw Vessel #2 before he struck them and flashed a flashlight at him. Operator1 also told my secretary at my office that he and his girlfriend each had on a headlight when they were struck. Operator1 told me that he had both of the headlights on his head, one facing forward and one facing to his left, so that he could be seen from multiple angles. He said that Vessel #2 hit his raft at an angle on the starboard side middle angled toward the port side stern. His girlfriend was right where the boat hit at the same angle and knocked her completely out of his raft. He said that it was such a hard impact on his raft that most of his gear was thrown out into the water and he couldn't really remember if he was thrown out or if he just jumped out towards his girlfriend. Operator1 did not have life jackets on board his vessel at all and so no life jackets were deployed.  Operator1 managed to rescue girlfriend from the water and then get them both from his raft onto Vessel #2 which transported them back to their truck on the bank. From there he called 9-1-1 and advised EMS how to get to them. He says girlfriend was transported to the hospital where she received minimal treatment and was released. He exchanged information with the operator of Vessel #2.
      Vessel #2 was the aluminum boat that struck the vinyl raft (Vessel #1). Operator2 claims (see attached statement and PWD 0311 reports) that he and his son had been out fishing all evening on the east side of the Galveston Causeway. He said that he was pretty familiar with that area as he fishes there often. When they got tired of fishing, he packed up his gear and headed back towards the ramp at around 1:00 am. Operator2 says that after he passed under the Causeway and got close to the channel like he has done many times before, that he turned towards the boat ramp at Galveston Bait-n-Tackle. He said that he doesn’t drive fast, especially at night, because he knows how dangerous it can be and that he and his passengers always wear their PFD's as he and his son were that night. Operator2 said that he had not driven even half way back to the boat ramp when he heard screaming so he let off throttle to see what was happening. He then struck a vessel that he claims he did not see because they were so small and didn’t have any lights on at all. He stopped completely to figure out what had just happened and administer aid. He said that he loaded Operator1 and victim on his boat, tied their raft to his boat, and drove them in to shore near their truck. He then loaded his vessel and waited for the police to arrive. 
     I inspected both vessel #1 and vessel #2 in person and took photos of each but was unable to find any marks or damage to either vessel that was without a doubt evidence of one colliding with the other.


BARDID: TX-2011-0197
Date: 2011-07-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:55:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0379 INKS
NearestCityTown: BUCHANAN DAM
County: 150 LLANO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Excessive Speed
AccidentCause2: OPERATOR INATTENTION
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
PWC2 was on plane and crossed in front on PWC1 at a distance of 60-70 feet.  victim, the passenger on PWC2, lost her grip due to being in an arm cast from a broken wrist and went under the water surface.  When she surfaced, she was struck by PWC1, who did not have time to stop when he saw her surface.  victim was struck by PWC1 in the head, causing a fractured skull, lacerations on her head, and a black eye.  A bystander in another boat saw the incident and picked up victim and took her to the shoreline, when an ambulance was called and she was transported to Brackenridge Hospital in Austin.  Officer  of the LCRA arrived on the scene after victim had already been transported.  Officer  could not locate the bystander that brought victim to shore.  Other witnesses stated he had already left.  Officer was notified on 7/25, the next day, that victim had died as a result of blunt force trauma to her head.

Investigation completed by LCRA Officer.


BARDID: TX-2011-0198
Date: 2011-08-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 01:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0714 TAWAKONI
NearestCityTown: East Tawakoni
County: 190 RAINS
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Force of Wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/Swamping
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel one was headed into cedar cove on Lake Tawakoni and struck a sand bar.  The boat started taking on waves and quickly became flooded.  Operator was wearing his life jacket.  The vessel was a total loss.  No drugs or alcohol suspected in this accident.


BARDID: TX-2011-0200
Date: 2011-07-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0109 BRIDGEPORT
NearestCityTown: BRIDGEPORT
County: 249 WISE
WaterConditions: Choppy
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Hazardous Waters
AccidentCause2: Restricted Vision
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
operator WAS OPERATING HIS VESSEL IN LAKE BRIDGEPORT DURING CHOPPY SEAS AND COULD NOT SEE A SAND BAR THAT HE RAN AGROUND ON.  RUNNING AGROUND HIS VESSEL SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE HULL.  NO INJURIES REPORTED.


BARDID: TX-2011-0201
Date: 2011-08-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: AUSTIN
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Excessive Speed
AccidentEvent1: Skier Mishap
RedactedNarrative:
OPERATOR WAS PULLING victim ON AN INNER TUBE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.  victim FELL OF TUBE AND HIT THE WATER, CAUSING HIS SHOULDER TO BECOME DISLOCATED.  victim WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL EMERGENCY CARE CENTER AND WAS TREATED AND RELEASED.

REPORT FILED BY OFFICER


BARDID: TX-2011-0202
Date: 2011-07-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:55:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: AUSTIN
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inattention
AccidentEvent1: Other
OtherAccidentEvent: person struck by vessel equipm
RedactedNarrative:
OPERATOR OF SAILING VESSEL WAS CHANGING COURSE AND THE BOOM OF THE SAILBOAT CAME SWINGING AROUND TO OPPOSITE SIDE OF VESSEL.  OPERATOR PUT HIS HAND UP TO SLOW IT DOWN AND THE BOOM HIT HIS HAND, CAUSING HIS LEFT WRIST TO BE BROKEN.  OPERATOR WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL HOSPITAL, TREATED, AND RELEASED.

REPORT COMPLETED BY OFFICER - TRAVIS COUNTY SO


BARDID: TX-2011-0203
Date: 2011-08-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:24:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0466 LYNDON B. JOHNSON
NearestCityTown: HORSESHOE BAY
County: 150 LLANO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inattention
AccidentEvent1: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Operator of pwc1 was traveling behind operator of pwc2 when pwc2 suddenly stopped.  Operator of pwc1 tried to turn hard to avoid a collision, and in doing so ejected his passenger from his pwc.  Victim went completely under water and when she surfaced she was struck in the head and suffered a severe laceration in the back of her head by pwc2.  Victim's mother was nearby and witnessed the incident and immediately went in the water and helped victim get back on to the pwc, sat behind her and helped get her to shore.  At the shore 911 was called and an ambulance arrived which transported victim to a local hospital where victim was treated and released.

Report filed by officer


BARDID: TX-2011-0204
Date: 2011-07-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2180 GALVESTON BAY
NearestCityTown: KEMAH
County: 084 GALVESTON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Improper Anchoring
AccidentCause2: OPERATOR INATTENTION
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
VESSEL1 WAS UNDER SAIL COMING INTO A COVE TO ANCHOR IN THE PRESENCE OF OTHER BOATS ANCHORED UP.  AS VESSEL 1 TURNED UPWIND, IT DROPPED SAILS AND THE OPERATOR THREW OUT THE ANCHOR IN AN ATTEMPT TO ANCHOR THE VESSEL.  THE ANCHOR FAILED TO GRAB, AND THE WIND CAUSED THE VESSEL TO DRIFT BACKWARDS.  THE OPERATOR OF VESSEL 1 ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE, BUT COULD NOT GET IT STARTED IN TIME.  THE WIND CONTINUED TO PUSH VESSEL BACK UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH VESSEL 2, CAUSING A DENT IN THE STARBOARD SIDE OF VESSEL 2.
NO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED ON VESSEL 1.  NO INJURIES REPORTED TO EITHER VESSEL.

REPORT FILED BY OPERATOR OF VESSEL 1.


BARDID: TX-2011-0205
Date: 2011-07-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0590 POSSUM KINGDOM
NearestCityTown: GRAHAM
County: 182 PALO PINTO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: None
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Force of Wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Skier Mishap
RedactedNarrative:
OPERATOR OF RENTED VESSEL WAS PULLING victim ON AN INNER TUBE WHEN THE INNER TUBE HIT A LARGE WAKE,  THE IMPACT WITH THE WATER CAUSED victim's SHOULDER TO DISLOCATE.  victim WAS TRANSPORTED TO SHORE WHERE AN AMBULANCE TOOK HIM TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.  HIS SHOULDER WAS PUT BACK INTO PLACE AND HE WAS RELEASED.  NO OTHER INJURIES REPORTED

REPORT COMPLETED BY OPERATOR 


BARDID: TX-2011-0207
Date: 2011-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:18:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0316 GRANBURY
NearestCityTown: GRANBURY
County: 111 HOOD
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
OPERATOR OF PWC2 WAS AHEAD OF PWC1 AS BOTH PWCS WERE ON PLANE HEADING ACROSS THE LAKE.  OPERATOR OF PWC2 DECELERATED AND TURNED HARD LEFT TO TURN AND SEE WHERE PWC1 WAS BEHIND HIM.  HE DID NOT REALIZE PWC1 WAS SO CLOSE AND HIS PWC STRUCK PWC1 STARBOARD, HITTING THE OPERATOR AND KNOCKING THE OPERATOR AND HER PASSENGER OFF THE PWC.  THE PASSENGER WAS NOT STRUCK BY THE PWC BUT THE INPACT CAUSED BOTH OCCUPANTS TO BE EJECTED.  THE OPERATOR OF PWC1 WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL WHERE SHE WAS TREATED FOR BROKEN RIBS AND THEN RELEASED.  NOT OTHER INJURIES REPORTED.

REPORT COMPLETED BY OFFICER - BRAZOS RIVER AUTHORITY


BARDID: TX-2011-0208
Date: 2011-08-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0466 LYNDON B. JOHNSON
NearestCityTown: Granite Shoals
County: 027 BURNET
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Excessive Speed
AccidentCause2: SHARP TURN
AccidentCause3: Alcohol
AccidentEvent1: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On August 18, 2011 at approximately 7:45 p.m. Marble Falls Police Department received a 911 call advising of a possible boat accident and the operator being ejected into the water and not resurfacing.  The accident occurred in Clear Cove portion of Lake L.B.J.  Area law enforcement was notified and responded.

According to witness statements at the scene advised the lone occupant of Vessel #1 had been consuming beer prior to operating the vessel. While operating the vessel at a high rate of speed in the cove area, the witnesses advised the operator was performing figure eights when it appeared the boat made a violent turn to the port side.  No one on shore witnessed the occupant being ejected, only the boat drifting.

Vessel #1 was secured and photographed by officers and the following was noted and recorded:
1)	No fresh fiberglass damage to the hull, indicating striking or being stricken by any object.
2)	No damage to vessels engine indicating the same.
3)	Steering wheel was in a maximum port turn position confirming witness statements.
4)	Engine cut-off lanyard was connected to ignition key, indicating operator did not have it activated by attaching it to his person.
5)	1 type II P.F.D positioned under the operator seat.
6)	All control cables appeared to be in working order.

The occupant’s body of Vessel # 1 was recovered at 8:07 a.m. on August 19, 2011 and was pronounced deceased by Burnet County Justice of Peace.  Justice also ordered body to be sent for autopsy at the Travis County Medical Examiner to determine exact cause of death and possible blood alcohol content.


BARDID: TX-2011-0211
Date: 2011-08-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0014 AMISTAD
NearestCityTown: Del Rio
County: 233 VAL VERDE
WaterConditions: Very Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Storm
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was anchored to beach nest to Vessel 2. Around 10:00pm high winds and rain broke vessel 1 free and collided with vessel 2. No Injuries.


BARDID: TX-2011-0212
Date: 2011-08-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:06:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0423 LADY BIRD
NearestCityTown: Austin
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: None
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Sudden Medical Condition
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
Deceased was a occupant in 2 person kayak. Deceased has a history of epilepsy. Witness stated that while standing in kayak, deceased appeared to have a seizure and fall overboard. Case of death is listed as drowning.


BARDID: TX-2011-0213
Date: 2011-08-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:40:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0124 BUFFALO SPRINGS
NearestCityTown: Lubbock
County: 152 LUBBOCK
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inexperience
AccidentCause2: OPERATOR INATTENTION
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday, August 27, 2011, at approximately 6:40 pm, Vessel 1 was heading west near the shoreline towing a tube that had two children on board.  Vessel 2 was traveling west-southwest away from shore just ahead of Vessel 1 on the right side.  Operator1 looked ahead of his vessel, then over his left shoulder, and then accelerated when it was clear on the left.  At the time Operator1 accelerated, Vessel 2 came in front of the boat.  With the nose up during acceleration, Operator1 and passengers were unable to see Vessel 2 and collided.  

Vessel 1 hit Vessel 2 on the left rear of the boat and came over the top of Vessel 2 at an angle, with the keel of the boat centered on the windshield.  Immediately upon colliding, Vessel 1 shut down and passenger on Vessel 1 jumped off the boat.  The vessels separated and Operator1 asked after the welfare of the passengers on Vessel 2.

One person - a six year old child - was transported to the emergency room via ambulance as a precaution.  He sustained a contusion to his right temple and was discharged from the hospital that night.

On Vessel 1 five of the six passengers were wearing life jackets, and a life jacket was available for the passenger.  Vessel 1 did not have a sound producing device, a fire extinguisher, or a Type IV throw cushion.  The driver was not wearing a safety lanyard.

On Vessel 2 the three children were wearing properly-sized life jackets; however, there was not a life jacket on board for the driver.  The boat was equipped with all other safety equipment.  The driver was not wearing a safety lanyard.

Vessel 1 had several scratches on the underside of the vessel.  Unknown if they were caused by the collision.

Vessel 2 had damage throughout the entire vessel.  The fiberglass from the rear of the boat to the windshield had abrasions, cracks and chips.  The motor would not start.  The windshield was broken in the center, the front seats were bent.

Alcohol did not appear to be a factor.


BARDID: TX-2011-0214
Date: 2011-08-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0723 TEXOMA
NearestCityTown: Pottsboro, Texas
County: 091 GRAYSON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Ignition of Spilled Fuel or Vapor
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
RedactedNarrative:
On 8/25/2011 operator and occupant boarded operator's 1985 Chris Craft Scorpion boat where it was moored at Highport Marina. injured was seated in the stern most seat of the boat while operator was standing behind the steering wheel of the boat. operator ran the blowers on the boat for an undetermined amout of time and then started the engine. The motor ran for approximately one minute before the boat exploded. occupant was thrown out of the boat by the explosive concussion. She was able to swim to a nearby dock and remove herself from the water. The boat was engulfed in flames and passers by cut the mooring lines to the boat and pushed it into the harbor. operator was also thought to have been thrown into the water but was found deceased on the boat after the fire was extenguished.


BARDID: TX-2011-0215
Date: 2011-08-31 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 3360 MATAGORDA BAY
NearestCityTown: Matagorda
County: 158 MATAGORDA
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Improper Lookout
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Fixed Object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
The operator and passenger involved in the accident were enroute to West Matagorda Bay for a night of floundering. They were traveling south in the diversion cut at a spped of approx. 20mph with both wearing pfd's (according to the operator) and struck an unlit telephone pole that had been placed in the cut many years ago as an aid to navigation. The operator was able to return to the boat ramp in the Colorado River where he loaded the boat and his passenger and drove to the hospital in Bay City. The operator advised that he has been through that area numerous times and knew about the pole and was using a GPS for navigation but the pole was not loaded on the device. The vessel involved also had flounder lights mounted on the bow which would impair forward visibility.


BARDID: TX-2011-0216
Date: 2011-09-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 05:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 4170 ESPIRITU SANTO BAY
NearestCityTown: Seadrift
County: 029 CALHOUN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Improper Lookout
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Commercial Vessel
AccidentEvent2: CAPSIZING
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
A 24 foot recreational boat southbound in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway struck and was capsized by a northbound commercial barge bring pushed by a tug boat.  The collision occurred between State Mile Markers 485 and 486, just west of Charlie's Bait Camp. 
The tug boat captain explained that he was northbound at 5 mph and saw the recreational boat's red and green navigation lights around 5:30 am.  He guessed the recreational boat was heading towards him while following the bank.  At 100 yards, the tug was allegedly over to port as far as possible.  The tug captain turned the spotlight on and then off.  Then according to the tugboat captain, the recreational boat turned towards the bank.  At 50-75 yards. the recreational boat allegedly made a hard starboard turn.  The tug and barge were in the middle to north side of the Intracoastal Waterway.  "I thought he was turning around.  He was right there.  I sat down on the horn [sic] and threw it in reverse," explained the tug captain.  He explained the very front of the barge pushed the recreational boat and flipped it down to starboard.  The tug boat captain soon thereafter saw the recreational captain climb onto the capsized boat.  He was recovered and refused medical attention.

The tug is operated by Third Coast Towing LLC.  The tugboat captain's Master Towing License was viewed onboard.  The tug captain reported 21 years of experience; 13 years on the tug.

The recreational boat captain reported he was alone, putting down the north side of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway at 3-4 mph, navigating with his GPS.  He saw the green and red lights on the tug.  He explained he did not see the barge lights, did not hear her horn, but did see her spotlight.  Then they collided.  He reported that his port side went down, then the boat went up and over.  He then jumped out, seeing the white navigation light on his motor as he jumped.  He then grabbed the gunwhale and crawled up onto the capsized hull.  He reported the tug was in the center to north side of the channel during the collision.  "It's just one of those things," he reported.  He stressed he did not see the lights on the front of the barge.  He self-reported having worn his PFD and safety lanyard during the collision.

Chief Warrant Officer and PO2 of USCG MSD Victoria Texas came aboard and inspected.  They discovered a small amount of gasoline had leaked from the recreational vessel; it had dispersed.  No damage was noted on the tug or barge.  The barge was transporting crude oil from Ingleside to Texas City.  The Texas General Land Office was notified.  The barge was sent on its way.

The recreational boat was uprighted by TowBoat US based in Port O'Connor, which reporting charging $2,400 for its salvage services.  The boat was placed onto the owner's trailer.

The boat was found and photographed initially in its capsized position.  Color digital photographs were also taken later of the boat on the trailer.  The visible damage was to the fiberglass gunwhale area of the forward port side and port quarter.  The port side gunwhale shows a noncontinuous wave in it, perhaps indicating internal structural damage.  The fiberglass shows two port side impact points.

No signs of drugs or alcohol were noted in on-site interviews with either operator, although the investigator was not notified of the incident 3 hours and 20 minutes after it had occurred.  Investigator travel time to site was 1 hour and 10 minutes.

END OF REPORT


BARDID: TX-2011-0217
Date: 2011-09-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 02:25:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 3360 MATAGORDA BAY
NearestCityTown: Port O'Connor
County: 029 CALHOUN
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Hazardous Waters
AccidentCause2: OPERATOR INATTENTION
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: CAPSIZING
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Late at night a recreational boat was swamped by waves, then capsized and beat against rock jetties capsized until several hours later.  Its five passengers had been recovered without injury.

The boat operator explained his group had left Froggie's boat ramp around 12:30 a.m. to go flounder fishing.  They proceeded northbound and outside the Little Jetties near Port O'Connor.  There was "a little bit" of a swell.  Then the water spray increased, so they turned around and headed back in (southwards).  They made it about 300 yards when a swell hit from behind and the boat pitch-poled to the front.  The boat then capsized.  "I guess a swell hit us from behind and we hit a swell in front.  It rolled at the same time," explained the operator in an in-person interview.

The boat had capsized in the north side of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway just inside the Little Jetties.  This had apparently occurred between the middle of the channel and the red bouys (North half of the Intracoastal Waterway).

The operator self-reported having PFDs onboard for everyone, but nobody was wearing them.  He self-reported having worn the safety lanyard.  PFDs were found in the center console seat when the investigator arrived to examine the vessel in person two days later.

Shortly after the capsizing a good samaritan reportedly approached and requested help from the US Coast Guard.  At 02:42 a.m. Coast Guard boat #25404 arrived on scene, recovering the five individuals by 02:55 a.m.  All parties were returned to US Coast Guard Station Port O'Connor.  No medical assistance was sought.

TowBoatUS recovered the vessel later that morning around 11:13 a.m. as salvage for a reported fee of $1,800.

The investigator took six color digital photographs of the boat while on the trailer.  He was not notified of the accident until 14 hours after it had occurred.

END OF REPORT


BARDID: TX-2011-0218
Date: 2011-09-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 8230 LOWER LAGUNA MADRE
NearestCityTown: Port Mansfield
County: 245 WILLACY
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Improper Anchoring
AccidentCause2: OVERLOADING
AccidentCause3: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: CAPSIZING
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On September 5 2011, Operator and his passengers anchored the bay skiff vessel they were in just off the ICW east of Port South in Port Mansfield TX. Operator improperly anchored the boat by anchoring abeam the vessel. Water began to slowly enter the vessel due to the improper anchoring, rough waters in the area, and moderately strong winds. As per Operator, it wasn't until some time had passed that they felt uneasy about the amount of water inside the vessel. As per Operator, while attempting to bail out some of the water, they took on a heavy chop that caused them to capsize. 

PFD's were on board however, neither Operator nor his passengers were wearing them. They all stayed near the boat and after several attempts, finally got the attention of a nearby mariner by yelling and blowing their sound producing device.

Everyone was picked up and taken to shore. Operator hired the services of a local tow business and had the vessel removed from the waters. 

It was determined during the interview and inspection of the vessel that neither alcohol nor drugs were contributing factors to the accident.


BARDID: TX-2011-0219
Date: 2011-09-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0061 BELTON (BELL CO)
NearestCityTown: Belton
County: 014 BELL
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inexperience
AccidentCause2: OPERATOR INATTENTION
AccidentCause3: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
AccidentEvent2: Collision with Fixed Object
RedactedNarrative:
On 9-3-11, at approximately 1730hrs, Warden was dispatched to a boating accident that occurred at the boat docks at Franks Marina, Belton TX, Bell County.  Dispatch advised that the vessel had struck another vessel and the dock when attempting the dock the boat.

Warden arrived on scene and made contact with the operator of the boat and a witness.  Both advised that, vessel 1 struck, unoccupied vessel 2. 

The witness advised that vessel 1 was coming in to dock, into their boat slip, when a gust of wind blew the vessel off course.  The operator realized he wasn't going to make it so he backed out, and turned around to make another approach.  When vessel 1 was turning around the port stern vertical bars supporting the roof of vessel 1 got caught on vessel 2's anchor.  Witness advised that vessel 1 didn't realize that he was caught and just continued to give vessel 1 more throttle.  Vessel 1 finally broke free when vessel 1's aluminum support beams broke.

Vessel 1 then completed its turn and reappoached the dock.  When vessel 1 was pulling into the dock the wind was still blowing approximately 15-25mph and was pushing vessel 1 backwards.  Witness advised that vessel 1 operator gave vessel 1 more throttle and that's when vessel one struck the left side vertical support rails on the boat dock.


BARDID: TX-2011-0220
Date: 2011-07-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:31:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0256 EAGLE MOUNTAIN
NearestCityTown: Fort Worth
County: 220 TARRANT
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inattention
AccidentCause2: NAVIGATION RULES VIOLATION
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On July 03, 2011 at approximately 2230 hours, vessel 1 was traveling west bound on the waters of Eagle Mountain Lake and vessel 2 was traveling southwest bound. Vessel 2 advised me that he did not see vessel 1 while traveling and struck vessel 1 on the starboard side.


BARDID: TX-2011-0221
Date: 2011-09-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0143 CANYON
NearestCityTown: Startsville
County: 046 COMAL
WaterConditions: Very Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: MACHINERY FAILURE
MachineryFailure: Engine
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Collision with Fixed Object
AccidentEvent3: CAPSIZING
RedactedNarrative:
On September 4, 2011 on Canyon Lake at approximately 3:30 pm, a boating accident occurred. I along with my partners were called to the scene of this boating accident. Operator was with six other occupants, when they were trying to reach a boat ramp on Canyon Lake. Because of the windy conditions on the lake, the boat was not able to reach the boat ramp. As the vessel was turning around, it began taking on water and was pushed up against the rocks that were near the boat ramp. At this point, the motor was inoperable and the boat capsized. The vessel was considered a total loss.


BARDID: TX-2011-0222
Date: 2011-09-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 3360 MATAGORDA BAY
NearestCityTown: Port O'Connor
County: 029 CALHOUN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Improper Lookout
AccidentCause2: EXCESSIVE SPEED
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Submerged Object
RedactedNarrative:
One recreational boat plowed into another one at night.  One had been following the other in towards a marina.

While cruising northwards up the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway near the entrance to Clark's Motel, Operator1 (Vessel #1) was following Operator2 (Vessel #2) on the water.  Operator2 had delivered a fuse to Operator1, whose boat had been disabled earlier.

"I didn't know where he was going.  I looked off from him.  I started turning.  I looked up and seen him [sic].  I pulled it all the way in reverse," Operator1 explained.  Operator1's boat had been doing a self reported 28-30 mph up the Intracoastal Waterway, and struck Operator2' boat as they approached the marina.  The starboard low hull of Operator1 came into hard contact with Operator2' engine cowling and port quarter.

Operator1 explained that he just did not see Operator2 and did not know what Operator2 was looking at.  Operator2 explained that he slowed down and Operator1 must not have seen him.

PFDs were onboard both boats but were not worn.

The US Coast Guard Station Port O'Connor arrived on scene and took color photographs.  No signs of drugs or alcohol were noted.  This investigator also took twelve color digital photographs, showing the described damage to both boats.


BARDID: TX-2011-0223
Date: 2011-07-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:28:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Austin
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentEvent1: Person Departed Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On July 18, 2011, at approximately 15:35 hours, Travis County Deputies were dispatched to Devils Cove on Lake Travis in reference to a missing person.  Upon arrival, at approximately 15:38 hours, they were advised that a male jumped from the top deck of the boat, identified as Margaritaville.  Margaritaville is a 66' Stardust houseboat bearing TX 7123 EW.  Victim jumped off the vessel while it was transitioning at headway speed in the middle of Devils Cove, approximately 200 yards from the no wake buoys going towards the back of the cove.  Victim was not wearing a PFD when he jumped off the vessel.  The boat was still adrift when the deputies arrived, which was 10 minutes after the original call and according to the call notes, the occupants of the vessel waited a minimum of 5 minutes before calling 911.  The deputies set a buoy marker at a water depth of 35 feet where the Victim was last seen.  

The deputies gathered all the individuals looking for Victim and had them get back onto the vessel.  The deputies then anchored the vessel to a mooring buoy towards the rear of Devils Cove.  At approximately 16:04 hours, Starflight and Lake Travis Fire and Rescue checked the area.  The fire boat checked the area of where the Deputies set their marker with sidescan sonar and found no points of interest.  The Deputies and LCRA boarded the "Margaritaville" and obtained statements from the witnesses.  According to the statements, Victim was on the top deck, starboard (right) side of the boat, near the aft (rear) of the vessel.  The vessel was cruising at headway speed when Victim said he was ready to go swimming.  Victim then did a back flip off the vessel, using the railing from the awning.  Victim came back up and began swimming.  The witnesses went back to what they were doing or looked away and they could not see Victim any longer.  No one on the vessel observed Victim go under water, but there were witnesses that guessed that the time they looked away from Victim was very short.  

Deputy spoke to Witness, who stated that the entire group were servers at a local restaurant, which was being remodeled.  They took this opportunity to make a trip out to the lake, compliments of their owners.  Witness said that Victim had fallen onto hard times lately.  Victim has been sleeping on friend’s couches and the night before this trip his vehicle was broken into and all of his personal items and identification were stolen.  It is unclear whether this incident was reported or where it may have occurred.  Witness also relayed to Deputy that Victim has been drinking alcohol heavily lately and had been drinking before coming onto the vessel for their trip.  Witness knew little about Victim, other than the fact that his parents live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area.  

Victims assistance was offered to the group and was waiting on the dock of Emerald Point Marina, but once the boat began going towards the Marina they all refused.  

The only property that Victim left on the vessel was his cell phone, which Deputy seized and processed into evidence at the Travis County Sheriffs West Sub-Station.  

Case information was given to the boat Captain, and the part owners of the restaurant.

At approximately 17:37 hours, Deputy released Captain and released the vessel to its mooring at Emerald Point Marina.  The vessel is side slipped on the end of "L" dock.

Once the houseboat cleared the area Deputy went back to the scene to conduct a shoreline search and to place crime scene tape streamers off the marker buoy.

A page was sent out to the Travis County Dive Team and a plan was made to dive the scene the next morning.

On 07/19/2011 at approximately 21:42 hours, Victim's body was found floating on the surface water in Devils Cove.  


BARDID: TX-2011-0224
Date: 2011-09-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0487 MCQUEENEY
NearestCityTown: McQueeney
County: 094 GUADALUPE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Excessive Speed
AccidentCause2: OPERATOR INEXPERIENCE
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Fixed Object
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On September 3, 2011 I was dispatched to Lake McQueeney for a PWC accident.  Upon arrival I made contact with the operator of the vessel Operator and the passenger.  Both girls were on the bank and Operator had minor injuries to include bruising on her left side, and a possible hairline fracture to her left arm.  The operator of the PWC TX 6732 JZ Operator told me that she was operating the PWC at a high rate of speed and a wave pushed her toward the bank.  The PWC struck a boat dock and was launched over a four foot wall, where it came to rest about 44 feet on shore from the initial point of contact with the dock.  My investigation has concluded that Operator was operating the PWC in a reckless and negligent matter and at excessive speed.  Operator was also operating the PWC with not having successfully competing a boater education course.  The PWC owner was cited for being criminally responsible for conduct of another. Operator was cited for operating a PWC with no boater education course.


BARDID: TX-2011-0225
Date: 2011-09-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0615 RICHLAND-CHAMBERS
NearestCityTown: Mildred
County: 175 NAVARRO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inattention
AccidentCause2: EXCESSIVE SPEED
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Fixed Object
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
1. Operator was driving the boat back to Oak Cove Marina, Victim3 was sitting in the middle seat, and Victim2 was on the port passengers seat.
2. They were traveling north at aproximately 60mph when they struck the bridge piller on the north side of the HWY 287 bridge.
3. It was before sunset when they struck the bridge.
4. Operator and Victim2 were ejected from the vessel and Victim3 was able to remain inside the vessel.
5. Operator was able to crawl back into the back of the boat.
6. They threw Victim2 a life vest while he was in the water, he said he almost drowned because he could not move his legs.
7. Operator and Victim3 both broke a femur bone, Victim3 also had damage to his face. 
8. Victim2 had broken both hips and shattered his pelvis.
9. Victim2 hung onto the side of the boat as Operator was able to put the boat into gear and idle into the marina as he laid across the back of the boat.
10. At approximately 20:37 while standing out side her trailer at Oak Cove Marina subject heard someone lightly calling for help and she sent her husband to look around.
11. Subject2 saw the men and the boat at the ramp and told his wife to call 911.
12. Victim3 was care flighted to Childrens hospital in Dallas.
13. Operator and Victim2 were transported to Navarro Hospital by ambulance and were later taken to Parkland Hospital in Dallas.
14. The boat was towed by Singleton's wrecker in Corsicana,TX.

* Operator stated there was no one on the lake at the time of the accident and he attempted to use his air horn (sound producing device) and it did not work.  He said he would not buy one of them again.


BARDID: TX-2011-0226
Date: 2011-09-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 03:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0143 CANYON
NearestCityTown: SATTLER
County: 046 COMAL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Excessive Speed
AccidentCause2: Alcohol
AccidentCause3: OPERATOR INATTENTION
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
On the morning of September 4th, 2011 at approximately 12:30 AM, Operator and six other passengers loaded on to his 2001, white in color, 30 foot long, Chaparral cabin boat docked at the Canyon Lake Marina on Canyon Lake, public water, in Comal County, TX. Once onboard, they decided to head over to the dam where they could listen to their music without disrupting anyone else.  According to Operator, he consumed four alcoholic beverages throughout the day, prior to departing the marina.  Once they were underway, Operator did not consume any more alcohol, however, the other occupants did.    

After approximately two hours of listening to music and drinking (approximately 2:30 AM), they decided to head back to the marina.  As the operator of the boat, Operator stated that the visibility was good, but the moon was not completely up, therefore, he was using an onboard spotlight and his GPS to assist with navigation.  According to Operator, he had just put the boat on plane and was traveling at approximately 30 MPH for approximately 45 seconds, when he misinterpreted the point at Jacob’s Creek Park as being covered with water, and he ran the boat on to the rocky shore line at the park.   

Upon impact, the boat launched out of the water and skidded along the shore line on its keel, cutting a trail through the rocky surface.  Once the boat stopped, it fell over on to the starboard side.  The boat came to rest approximately 175 feet up on the shore.  Everyone remained in the boat during the accident, but two of the occupants were thrown from their seats on to the floorboard of the boat.  None of the boat's occupants were wearing PFDs during the accident.

After the accident, Operator and all of the passengers got out of the boat and checked themselves for injuries.  According to Operator, no one sustained any serious injuries that would require medical treatment beyond first aid; therefore, he did not call 911 to report the accident.  One of the passengers contacted their friend and asked him to come pick them up.

After approximately 1/2 hour of surveying the damage (approximately 3:30 AM), the group walked away from the crash site through the campsites towards the park entrance gate.  As they passed by one of the campsites, three witnesses in a tent that observed the entire incident could hear them talking about the accident.  According to these witnesses, one of the female passengers was laughing about the accident.  Once they reached the gate, they met with the friend who transported them back to the Canyon Lake Marina.  

At approximately 7:00 AM, Airman of the USAF Security Forces located Operator’s abandoned boat while he was patrolling the area.  Airman contacted the Comal County Sheriff’s Office, who in turn, dispatched deputies to the crash.  

At approximately 7:23 AM, Comal County Deputies arrived on scene and identified the owner of the boat.  At approximately 7:40 AM, deputies contacted Operator and requested that he return to the scene.  Game Warden was contacted, and he arrived on scene to investigate the accident.  At approximately 8:32 AM Operator returned to the scene of the accident.


BARDID: TX-2011-0229
Date: 2011-08-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0709 SWEETWATER
NearestCityTown: Sweetwater
County: 177 NOLAN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Sharp Turn
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
On August 27th, 2011, subject and his wife were each operating personal watercraft on the main body of Lake Sweetwater in Nolan County Texas at approximately 6:30 p.m.  Operator was traveling northeast toward the boat ramp when he stated he turned to look behind him because he was about to turn left.  Upon turning to face forward and then turn the watercraft to the left, he lost his balence, and according to him, began to be ejected from the watercraft.  As he began to be ejected, he started facing forward toward the water but believes his right foot was caught between the gunwhale and the main body of the watercraft causing his body to shift as he left the watercraft and landed in the water, back first.  His wife was close and he signaled her to his aid.  Operator was also aided by his son who was operating a vessel close by. Operator stated he was wearing a PFD.   Operator was transported by vessel to the boat ramp where he was met by EMS personnel at 7:34 p.m.  Operator was then transported to Rolling Plains Hospital in Sweetwater, Texas.   He arrived there at 7:59 p.m.  Operator had fractured both lower leg bones above his right ankle.  Staff at Rolling Plains Hospital determined he should be transported to Midland Memorial Hospital in Midland, Texas.  The transport to Midland was done at 11:57 p.m.


BARDID: TX-2011-0230
Date: 2011-09-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0106 VICTOR BRAUNIG
NearestCityTown: San Antonio
County: 015 BEXAR
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inexperience
AccidentCause2: IMPROPER ANCHORING
AccidentCause3: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: CAPSIZING
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
The operator and passenger on the vessel arrived at Braunig Lake at approximately 1:00 p.m.  They were unable to launch the vessel off the trailer because the vessel would not start. They called a mechanic that went to Braunig lake to assist them.  The mechanic was able to start the vessel.  The mechanic advised the operator and passenger of the vessel the windy weather conditions were too dangerous to launch the vessel.  Occupant and Operator decided to launch the vessel despite the warning.  Operator had 0 operating hours with the vessel because Occupant had just purchased the vessel on September 1, 2011.  This was the first time either passenger or operator had the vessel in the water. 

Operator drove the vessel toward the dam. At an area near the dam, Operator threw out the anchor and tied it the rear of the vessel.  Operator and Occupant began fishing when they noticed the strong winds were causing waves to come over the transom of the vessel.  Operator moved to the stern of the vessel to reposition the anchor.  When Operator was at the stern a strong wind blew and at the same time a heavy wave came over the transom.  Enough water from the wave came into the vessel that it caused the vessel to capsize.  As the vessel capsized Operator rolled into the lake and Occupant was pushed into the water from the capsizing boat. 

The operator and passenger held onto the capsized boat while they were in the water. The passenger made an attempt to go underneath the vessel and locate the sound producing device but was unable to locate it. The passenger then climbed on top of vessel to be with her dog while the operator was in the water.  The passenger then decided to swim to the dam.  After the passenger swam to the dam the operated decided to swim to the dam.  Both operator and passenger survived the accident.


BARDID: TX-2011-0232
Date: 2011-09-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:09:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0131 CALAVERAS
NearestCityTown: Elmendorf
County: 015 BEXAR
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Machinery Failure
AccidentCause2: IMPROPER LOADING
AccidentCause3: HAZARDOUS WATERS
MachineryFailure: Engine
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: CAPSIZING
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Boaters were fishing from their vessel near the crappie wall at Calaveras Lake.  The wind was from the southeast at around 20 to 24 mph.  Vessel was taken by the wind and sent towards the crappie wall.  Owner/operator tried to start the motor to avoid the wall but was unable to.  Passenger walked to rear of boat and stood next to operator.  Their combined weight allowed water to quickly enter the boat.  Vessel then capsized and both men entered the water.  A witness picked up both men from the water and took them to the nearest bank.  Witness took operator to the boat ramp and then home to search for another pair of truck keys.  Passenger waited for Wardens to arrive.


BARDID: TX-2011-0233
Date: 2011-08-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0723 TEXOMA
NearestCityTown: Gordonville
County: 091 GRAYSON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inattention
AccidentCause2: EQUIPMENT FAILURE
EquipmentFailure: Auxiliary
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/Swamping
AccidentEvent3: CAPSIZING
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was dispatched to assist with a grounded vessel near Cedar Mills Marina on Lake Texoma approximately 0900 hours. The vessel had beached on a sand bar the previous night approximately 2300 hours. Operators arrived and worked to get the grounded vessel turned 180 degrees by 1 operator on shore, and one operator in company vessel 1 in a series of 3 pulls. Crew attempted to dig some sand out from underneath the grounded vessel to apply lines. Crew disconnected tow line at idle to achieve different angle of pull after repositioning the grounded vessel, when operator noticed significant water on-board. At approximately 1330 hours Operator put vessel underway to drain water, however motors were too far submerged and stalled. Vessel listed to port and capsized within 10-15 seconds. Crew member swam to assist man overboard to safety with life vest, operator refused assistance and swam to shore unassisted. A Vessel owned by Boat US appeared approximately 10 minutes after capsize event and offered crew assistance back to port, and crew boarded. Crew hailed Lake Tow Boston Whaler from Boat US vessel, boarded Boston Whaler near Cedar Mills arm, and returned to the scene to recover customer and submerged vessel. Crew determined gear was missing from the capsize event and determined they could not recover the capsized vessel, then returned to port. Capsized vessel was recovered the following day showing significant cracking in the transom surrounding both port and stern motors and transom plates. No other vessels were involved in the incident.


BARDID: TX-2011-0234
Date: 2011-09-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2180 GALVESTON BAY
NearestCityTown: Texas City
County: 084 GALVESTON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Overloading
AccidentCause2: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On Friday, September 9, 2011, at approximately 01:19 p.m., Texas City P.D. was dispatched to the 1000 block of Dike Road in reference to a capsized boat with four victims in the water.  Initially only three could be seen from shore. The victims were later identified. According to Texas City officer, the four men had transported a small, lightweight boat approximately 12-14 feet long in the back of a white pickup truck to the Dike. The boat was launched from a ramp on the south side of the Dike with a trolling motor attached. Witnesses informed Officer that the boat the men were on appeared to be too small for four adults and the men seemed unsteady in it. Also, the men were not wearing any life jackets. A short time after the boat was launched a large wake capsized the vessel. Texas City P.D. Captain was first to arrive on the scene and found victims in the water on the south side of the Dike.  The fourth victim was nowhere in sight but was found alive. The three men were much further west of the boat and appeared to be moving slowly with the current. Minutes later additional Texas City P.D. and firefighter personnel began the task of helping to rescue the victims from the water. Three of the victims were able to come back to shore with little or no injury. However, after being pulled out of the water one person was immediately transported to Mainland Center Hospital in Texas City and later life flighted to UTMB Hospital in Galveston, TX. He passed away on Saturday morning approximately 6:20 A.M.

The boat was apparently full of Mexican immigrants who were unable to give accurate data in regards to their addresses, thier date of births, and were also unable to reveal to the reporting officer who the primary operator was, if any. They had no boat registration information as it was not registered and the boat itself was too old and worn to have any make or model indicators.


BARDID: TX-2011-0235
Date: 2011-08-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0368 HOUSTON
NearestCityTown: Houston
County: 101 HARRIS
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Navigation Rules Violation
AccidentCause2: EXCESSIVE SPEED
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
This is the accident that occurred on August 6th, 2011. The accident happened on Lake Houston. Houston Police Officer were on call this evening. They received the call from Sgt. at 2000 Hours instructing them to proceed to the accident scene and collect the necessary information for this report.

Complaint #1
Operator1 explained that he was operating vessel #1. Operator1 said that he was jumping the wake of a boat when he observed vessel #2 and it's two passengers (compl #2 and Witness #1) who had fallen from their PWC. Operator1 stated that he went to help the two back onto their pwc and all continued riding. A short ime later Operator1 observed Vessel #2 jumping the wake of a vessel in an unsafe manner and was trying to catch up to the Vessel #2 and advise them to stop. Operator1 stated that while doing this he was unable to avoid the collision.

Complainant #2 
Operator2 stated that he and his friend (witness #1) were jumping the wakes of other boats and does not remember much about the accident. He did not see the other PWC (#1).

Witness #1 
Witness stated that prior to the accident he had fallen off the PWC. He was not aware of the accident and only learned of it when his friend Operator2 started yelling for help. Witness swam over to Operator2 to help him into a boat.

Officers investigation
Officers arrived at Duessen Park and gathered information and secured the vessels in the Harris County Marine Division Boat Yard for safe keeping. They then went to LBJ Hospital to interview Operator2. Operator2 was being treated for a  broken left hand and a broken right thumb. They were told by Operator2 that he had consumed a few beers throughout the day. Officer contacted the Harris County District Attorneys Office and spoke with D.A. who advised them there was not enough evidence to support a Boating While Intoxicated Charge and thus no reason for a blood draw.

On August the 8th the officers examined the vessels and determined that Vessel #1 came from behind and struck Vessel #2 at an approximate angle of 238 degrees to 248 Degrees. Hitting the comp. #2 in the left arm and traveling across the his chest, dislodging the steering column and scraping across the front storage compartment of vessel #2.
The Officers went to visit Compl.#2 and photographed his injuries. Operator2 was issued a citation for operating a PWC above headway speed within 50 feet of another vessel.
The officer visited with Compl. #1 and issued Operator1 two citations. One for operating a PWC above headway speed within 50 feet of another vessel and for failing to yield the right away to the vessel on the right.

The officers stated that Operator1 had the greater obligation and was clear that Operator1 struck vessel #2 in a crossing situation.


BARDID: TX-2011-0236
Date: 2011-09-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1105 CIBOLO CREEK
NearestCityTown: Cestahowa
County: 128 KARNES
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Sudden Medical Condition
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday September 24, 2011 at approximately 3:30pm I Game Warden received a phone call from a local landowner about a truck that had been parked overnight at Coon Bridge Crossing on the Cibolo Creek and located a small flat bottom boat drifting in the creek downstream from the bridge.  Myself and Game Warden made the location and located the truck and checked registration.  The registration came back.  We soon after met with landowner and his wife and entered the property and located the boat that they informed us about.  The boat was indeed abandoned with the minnow bucket and aerator still running.  We examined the boat to see if there were any items left in the boat of importance and found bait and no life jackets and a bucket with misc items and no food or water of any kind.  I was able to ascertain a cell phone number for Victim and attempted to call it and only got voice mail.  I also was able to get ahold of a family member which happened to be his sister and asked if they had heard from or seen Victim and was informed that they hadn't heard from him since Friday Sept 23, 2011 a little after 5pm and had tried calling him numerous times and were unable to reach him.

I requested assistance from the local sheriff's office and had other officers make the scene as well as the local sheriff.  Captain my supervisor was also on scene for assistance and helped in the search.  After further investigation of the creek we located an oar floating in the creek just up stream from the boat as well as a baseball cap floating in the creek.  We made a couple more attempts at calling Victim's cell phone and finally located it in the boat inside of a coffee can with his wallet.  Several family members started to make the location to assist in searching for Victim by land.  We continued the search until we ran out of light to continue the next day.  Before we cleared the scene for the day we asked the family if Victim had any medical issues and they informed us that he was taking medication and had been in a couple of severe accidents in years past that caused him at times to have seizures as well as wake up some mornings and not remember who he was and had difficulty remembering things.

The next day Sunday September 25, 2011 we made the location again and started the search.  We were unable to recover a body that day but was able to find a fishing pole that was positively identified by his family as Victim's.  

On Monday September 26, 2011 at approximately 7:45am I located the body in very poor condition floating face down in the creek between the sandbar island in the middle of the creek and east bank where I stood.  The body was recovered from the creek by Karnes City Fire Department and positively identified.


BARDID: TX-2011-0238
Date: 2011-09-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:22:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Jonestown
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: IMPROPER LOOKOUT
AccidentCause3: NAVIGATION RULES VIOLATION
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 9/17/11, at approximately 20:15 hours, vessel #1 was found navigating down river on the body of water known as Lake Travis when vessel #2 entered into the channel from a northshore cove known as Devil's Cove. As Vessel #1 continued navigating down river, vessel #1 struck vessel #2. Collision occured at approximately Lake Mile Marker #9 on the body of water known as Lake Travis


BARDID: TX-2011-0240
Date: 2011-09-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:20:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Austin
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Improper Lookout
AccidentCause2: NAVIGATION RULES VIOLATION
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Unit 2 was at sail, heading downstream in the area of MM13. Unit 1 was traveling downstream in the area of MM13 behind Unit 2. Unit 1 was traveling at a speed which kept the bow high and obscured the drivers vision. The driver of unit 1 became aware of the presences of unit 2 too late to avoid a collision, turning hard to his port side, crashing into the left rear of Unit 2. The passengers of Unit 2 saw Unit 1 coming from some distance away and jumped from their boat just prior to impact. After the crash Unit 1 circled the accident scene but failed to attempt to render aid to Unit 2.  A sea tow boat was in the area and arrived on scene minutes after the incident and towed unit 2 back to its slip located at sail and ski marina. The driver of unit 1 was issued a citation for reckless operation.


BARDID: TX-2011-0241
Date: 2011-10-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0783 WHITNEY
NearestCityTown: Lakeside Village
County: 018 BOSQUE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Hazardous Waters
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Submerged Object
AccidentEvent2: CAPSIZING
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel was being operated at less than 10mph in an area of Whitney lake with many tree stumps above and below water surface due to the extreme low lake levels. Occupants were engaged in bow fishing activities when the vessel struck a tree stump causing it to capsize. Occupants used PFD's to swim to shore. No injuries. Damage to bow of vessel and loss of a generator and 4 I Phones.


BARDID: TX-2011-0242
Date: 2011-10-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 07:40:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0061 BELTON (BELL CO)
NearestCityTown: Belton
County: 014 BELL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Improper Lookout
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 launches at BOLORA and begins traveling S.E., on plane at approximately 55mph, with two persons on board.  Vessel 2 launches boat at Temple lake park with one person on board and is traveling N.W. at approximately 70mph.  Vessel 1 makes a course change to the right.  Vessel 2 sees this course change and changes course to the left.  Vessel 1 makes another course change to the right.  Vessel 2 sees this course change and changes course to the left again.  Vessel 2 sees that vessel 1 is not changing course any more and is about to collide with Vessel 2.  Vessel 2 accelerates during his course change to the left to try to avoid collision.  Vessel 1 collides with Vessel 2's starboard side, near the front of the boat.  Vessel 1 travels up on to Vessel 2 staying on the starboard side and colliding with the motor of Vessel 2.  

Rub rail transfer from Vessel 1's starboard side to Vessel 2's front starboard side.

No alcohol or drugs involved with crash.  Occupants in Vessel 1 wearing PFD's.  Occupant in Vessel 2 wearing PFD.

Citations issued to operator of Vessel 1 and Vessel 2 for Reckless operation.


BARDID: TX-2011-0244
Date: 2011-09-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 07:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0640 SAM RAYBURN
NearestCityTown: Broadus
County: 203 SAN AUGUSTINE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: None
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Restricted Vision
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Submerged Object
RedactedNarrative:
While fishing on Sam Rayburn in the Indian Creek area of the lake I hit a underwater obstruction believed to be concrete. The impact broke the outboard off the boat and the motor landed on the back deck of the boat. At time of the impact the estimated speed was around 30 mph. The boat turned in a 360 degree circle and then stopped.


BARDID: TX-2011-0246
Date: 2011-11-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0566 PALESTINE
NearestCityTown: Flint
County: 212 SMITH
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: HAZARDOUS WATERS
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: CAPSIZING
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On November 2, 2011, two people left Overton, Tx before daylight to Lake Palestine to fish. At approximately 12 noon according to Operator the winds picked up and the water became choopy. At this time they were tied to a tree from the back of the boat a wave of water came over the back of the boat.  Operator began to untie and before he could get untied a second wave of water came in boat and capsized the boat. He advised they did not have their PFD’s on until they were in the water. He also advised Victim was having trouble breathing. Operator said he held onto Victim until he lost consciousness and then released him. Victim was found face down in the water(deceased) on November 3, 2011 with PFD on, but unsnapped. Operator was found shortly after(alive) in a tree, completely out of water wearing a PFD. He was transported to a nearby medical facility. No drugs or alcohol involved.


BARDID: TX-2011-0247
Date: 2011-10-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 6260 NUECES BAY
NearestCityTown: Corpus Christi
County: 178 NUECES
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Excessive Speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Fixed Object
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Subject was running his boat at night in Nueces Bay at about 15 miles an hour. He saw a pipe sticking about 8 feet out of the water. He put the boat in nuetral and hit the pipe throwing the operator in the water.The other two people helped the subject back in the boat. No injuries.


BARDID: TX-2011-0248
Date: 2011-11-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0320 GRAPEVINE
NearestCityTown: Flower Mound
County: 061 DENTON
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
RedactedNarrative:
I, State Game Warden, was patrolling Lake Grapevine in Denton County on 11/5/11 for water safety and waterfowl violations. I remained in the northern half of the lake for most of the morning. At approximately 11:00am I began to head south back toward the boat ramp. I observed a large amount of debris on the water and I maneuvered my patrol boat toward the debris field. As I got closer, I saw the bow of a flatbottom boat sticking straight out of the water. The rest of the boat was totally submerged. I immediately saw two occupants and one dog in the water. The occupants were trying to cling to the bow of the boat. Both occupants were wearing PFDs. I maneuvered my patrol boat to pick up both occupants and the dog. Once aboard, the occupants stated that they were returning to the boat ramp at a slow pace.  They stated that the boat had been taking on water, but the bilge was activated. Approximately 15 minutes later the stern of the boat began to fill with water and was overtaken by a wave over the stern of the boat. They stated that the boat went down immediately. They stated that they were in the water for roughly 5 minutes before my arrival. I brought both occupants back to their vehicle immediately. No injuries were noted. I returned to the scene to assist in the recovery of gear and to ensure that the submerged boat would not be a hazard to other boaters. I was able to tow the semi-submerged boat to the nearby shore and secure it using the anchor. Later that day I met with the operator to return some recovered gear and to brief him on the direction of the debris field and the status of his vessel.


BARDID: TX-2011-0249
Date: 2011-11-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 07:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 3360 MATAGORDA BAY
NearestCityTown: Port O'Connor
County: 158 MATAGORDA
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Tuesday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inattention
AccidentCause2: IMPROPER LOOKOUT
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Recreational Vessel
AccidentEvent2: CAPSIZING
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
The operator of vessel 1 was asked by the captain of vessel 2 to assist them with a grounded gulf shrimp boat the "St. Phillip", which was about .5 miles northwest of bird island in Matagorda Bay, by towing a rope between the two so the grounded vessel could be pulled off. Vessel 1 complied with the request taking a rope from the grounded vessel to vessel 2, which was about 1000 feet southwest of "St. Phillip". Once vessel 1 completed the task and started to pull away, crew members of vessel 2 called them back so the could give them something for their help. Vessel 1 then again approached vessel 2 on the starboard side, perpendicular to vessel 2 just in front of the lowered outriggers to retrieve a bag of fish that a deck hand was holding over the side for them. When vessel 1 got within about ten feet, vessel 2 went into gear causing the vessels to collide. The lowered outrigger of vessel 2 caught the t-top of vessel 1 and slowly rolled vessle 1 to its starboard side until it rolled completely over. All occupants of vessel 1 went into the water and were pulled to safety by vessel 2. There were no injuries on either vessel. Vessel 2 did later upright vessel 1 and the P.O.C. Coast Gaurd unit pulled Vessel 1 back to dock in Port O'Connor.


BARDID: TX-2011-0251
Date: 2011-11-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:22:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2330 TRINITY BAY
NearestCityTown: Anahuac
County: 036 CHAMBERS
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Machinery Failure
AccidentCause2: SHARP TURN
MachineryFailure: Steering
AccidentEvent1: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Propeller
RedactedNarrative:
Operator of boat was traveling in a northerly course headed to Fort Anahuac Park boat ramp (old channel) when the steering cable broke, causing the boat to make a sudden hard left turn throwing the operator out of the boat on the right side. The boat (unoccupied) then maintained a left circular coarse running over the operator once. Operator was then picked up out of the water and brought in to dock by a passing boater and airlifted to Herman Memorial Hospital. Victim was in intensive care at hospital since the accident and suffered two broken shoulder blades, broken left arm and seven deep lacerations to his back. Victim later died on Friday 12/02/11 at approx: 3:30pm. from complications developed due to blunt force trauma and was ruled an accidental death by the Haris County Medical Examiners Office.


BARDID: TX-2011-0252
Date: 2011-10-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 01:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Jonestown
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator Inattention
AccidentCause2: Restricted Vision
AccidentEvent1: Collision with Fixed Object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On October 30, 2011 at approximately 0130 hours, Vessel number 1 was traveling south on Lake Travis at approximately 30 mph on full plane. According to the operator of the vessel he was following a track he prelaid on his Gps. When he arrived in the area of mile marker 8 he stuck a breakwall belonging to emerald point marina with the front of both pontoons. He suffered minor injuries and his vessel had to be towed from the scene.


BARDID: TX-2011-0254
Date: 2011-11-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 7370 UPPER LAGUNA MADRE
NearestCityTown: Corpus Christi
County: 178 NUECES
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Ignition of Spilled Fuel or Vapor
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
RedactedNarrative:
The owner was the only person in the boat at the time of the explosion. His son, who was in the house at the time of the incident stated that his dad was cleaning in the vessle's cabin at the time of the explosion. son  indicated that they had removed the fuel from the boat the previous day and had even opened up the fuel tank through the fuel sending unit and with rags and straightened out cloths hangers had removed all of the fuel. The son said that the onshore power source was disconnected at the time of the explosion.


BARDID: TX-2011-0256
Date: 2011-12-31 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:48:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0734 TOLEDO BEND
NearestCityTown: Burkeville
County: 176 NEWTON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
12-31-2011, at 9.55 am. State game Warden recieved call from Newton, County Sheriff's dispatcher of a possible drowning on the tailrace at Toledo Bend in Newton, County.  Upon arrivel met with subject who stated he was camped on the oppsite bank of the tailrace, when he heard someone calling for help.  subject stated he could about 250 from where he was camped, in the water besides the boat.  subject stated by the time he could get to the victim's location he was floating face down.  Upon reaching the victim, State Game Warden observed the PFD had come up under the victim,s arm's and victim's face was in the water.


BARDID: TX-2011-1912
Date: 2011-05-30 00:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Brazos River
WaterConditions: UNKNOWN
Wind: UNKNOWN
Visibility: UNKN
DayofWeek: MONDAY
AccidentCause1: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
Victim had been with a group of kayakers fishing in the Brazos River.  He became separated from the group.  Since articles were found in an unoccupied kayak belonging to the victim, it is believe he unintentionally fell overboard.


BARDID: TX-2011-1913
Date: 2011-05-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:49:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Taylors Bayou
WaterConditions: UNKNOWN
Wind: UNKNOWN
Visibility: UNKN
DayofWeek: MONDAY
AccidentCause1: Force of Wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Propeller
RedactedNarrative:
Victim was struck by the propeller after he fell out his boat due to a wake of another rboat.  He suffered a large cut to his right thigh.


BARDID: TX-2011-1919
Date: 2011-05-31 00:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Benbrook Lake
WaterConditions: UNKNOWN
Wind: UNKNOWN
Visibility: UNKN
DayofWeek: TUESDAY
AccidentCause1: Other
AccidentCause2: Weather
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Person Departed Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Victim and several friends were on a paddle boat when strong winds pushed I further in the lake than what they wanted.  A victim left the boat without a life jacket to try to swim to shore.  His body was recovered.


BARDID: TX-2011-6000
Date: 2011-11-28 00:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Aransas Bay
WaterConditions: UNKNOWN
Wind: UNKNOWN
Visibility: UNKN
DayofWeek: MONDAY
AccidentCause1: Sudden Medical Condition
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
A vessel was found with the engine running with no people onboard.  A passing tug spotted a body in the water and pulled him from the water.  The victim was declared deceased and did not show signs of trauma.  He had congestive heart failure.


BARDID: TX-2011-7787
Date: 2011-04-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 05:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Sam Rayburn
County: Jasper
WaterConditions: UNKNOWN
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: UNKNOWN
Visibility: UNKN
DayofWeek: SATURDAY
AccidentCause1: Sharp Turn
AccidentCause2: improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Propeller
RedactedNarrative:
During a fishing tournament, an occupant was ejected and struck by the propeller.  He has undergone several surgeries to save his foot.  The victim was ejected after the operator abruptly changed course in an attempt to avoid a collision with another vess


BARDID: TX-2011-7844
Date: 2011-04-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Brazos River
WaterConditions: UNKNOWN
Wind: UNKNOWN
Visibility: UNKN
DayofWeek: SATURDAY
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Person Departed Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Victim jumped overboard to rescue a child that had fallen overboard.  He was able to retrieve the child and make it to the boat but couldn't board the boat and went under.  His body was recovered.


BARDID: TX-2011-8000
Date: 2011-09-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Livingston
County: Polk
WaterConditions: UNKNOWN
Wind: UNKNOWN
Visibility: UNKN
DayofWeek: SUNDAY
AccidentCause1: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
A boat washed ashore on Lake Livingston.  The man whose personal effects were in the boat has not been found and is presumed deceased.


BARDID: TX-2012-0001
Date: 2012-01-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0566 PALESTINE
NearestCityTown: Tyler
County: 212 SMITH
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On Janauary 16, 2012 at approximately 1330 a boat casized on Lake Palestine. According to statement taken by Smith County Deputy, subject said she told her husband not to go out to far because of the water being so rough due to the wind blowing. subject advised they went and tied to some sticks on the water and began to fish. She advised she started complaining to her husband that the water was coming in over the back of the boat. She advised he said, "it will be okay," and they kept fishing. She also advised him the water was in the botom of the boat and she made him go back toward shore. At this time is when she said she started putting on her PFD. She said he was taking his time reeling in his poles. She then advised him that more water was coming in faster and the boat was filling up. She stated that once he got his poles in they started the boat and reaching for PFD's is when a wave hit and the boat capsized. She advised once she got her PFD on she looked over at her husband and he was face down in the water. subject was found by a man and his girlfriend that were out checking trot lines and saw a woman in the water waving her hands in the air. they saw the body facedown in the water but couldn't lift the body the barge so they went to the Villages Marine to get help. the body was recovered by Noonday Fire Department that stated he had one arm in the PFD. Husband was pronounced deceased at the scene by  Justice of the Peace and body was transported by Southeast Forensics for autopsy. Preliminary autopsy report states cause of death is drowning.


BARDID: TX-2012-0002
Date: 2012-01-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:46:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0587 PLACID
NearestCityTown: Seguin
County: 094 GUADALUPE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 2 was tied up fishing.  Vessel 1 was cruising up the lake.   Vessel 2 says they had their navigational lights on.  Vessel 1 says they didn't see any navigational lights until impact.  The starboard pontoon on vessel 1 hit the outboard motor on vessel 2.  The damage was minimal and no one was injured.  Operator1 was driving vessel 1, her boyfriend was standing right next to her and their 4 month old baby was in a car seat on the deck of the boat next to the driver's seat.  On impact, Operator1 immediately reach down for the baby and occupant slid into the driver's seat and put the boat into reverse.  subject told occupant that if he would give him $9000 he wouldn't call the cops.  operator2 told v1 occupant that he was a master mechanic and he had just rebuilt the engine at a cost of $9000.  v1 occupant said that he would tow them to their house and call the police.  subject2 stated that when he realized vessel 1 was not turning and going to hit them, he jumped up and yelled and waved his arms at them.


BARDID: TX-2012-0003
Date: 2012-02-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0501 MEXIA
NearestCityTown: Mexia
County: 147 LIMESTONE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
AccidentCause2: People on Gunwale, Bow, or Transom
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
On February 8, 2012 at 11:30 am, I State Game Warden received a call from the Limestone County Sheriff's Office that a boat was going in circles in the middle of Lake Mexia with no one in it.  I arrived at Lake Mexia to find the boat had been recovered by some fisherman.  The fisherman said that they saw a guy getting ready to launch the boat just after they had launched about an hour ago.  The fisherman did not see the man fall over board.  I found a type 2 personal flotation device, type 4 flotation device, and a set of keys in the boat.  I took the keys and looked in the truck and found identification.  The Limestone County Sheriff's Office sent an officer to the address on the drivers license to notify family that victim was missing.  

I launched my boat and started a bank search for him or any clues.  Game Warden arrived with a boat equipped with side scan sonar, and we started to search.  Around 12:30 pm we got an image that we believed to be a person.  Game Warden arrived to assist and got on board the boat.  We marked the location of the image with a bouy and started to drag.  We recovered the body at 5:10 pm.  Because of media and familly we met the Justice of the Peace at a different location on the lake.  The body was released to Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home, whom transported the body to Dallas Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy.


BARDID: TX-2012-0004
Date: 2012-03-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1402 NECHES RIVER
NearestCityTown: Beaumont
County: 123 JEFFERSON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Missing or Inadequate Navigation Aids
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
While leisurely driving, barely on plane, approximately 20 mph, we struck a hard, submerged immovable object.  Evidence of damage and sound of impact confirm that object is iron.  In discussing accident with people, there have been stories of previous accidents where boats have had lower units torn off.  Speculation is, there is a sunken barge or old saltwater barrier there.

Boat and motor struck object and was immediately stopped, throwing all passengers forward.  Injuries were bumps and bruises but could have been much worse if boat was travelling faster.  

Motor kicked up and slammed onto rear deck of boat, torque stressing and cracking the transom, jack plate damaged, motor damage to top and bottom.  Bottom/aft 6" of keel struck object before striking the motor.


BARDID: TX-2012-0005
Date: 2012-03-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0118 BUCHANAN
NearestCityTown: Buchanan Dam
County: 150 LLANO
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Improper loading
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On March 17, 2012 at approximately 7:00 pm a rented tandem kayak was being paddled by individuals on Lake Buchanan near the Cedar Lodge Resort. On board were two adult males and two small boys. The boys, ages 4 and 6, were sitting in their father's laps. It is unkown what the cause was but the kayak capsized placing all ocupants in the water. The two small boys were wearing PFDs, which the rental company had supplied. The two adult males were not wearing a PFD. The adult passenger and his son were able to stay near the overturned kayak and hold on. The victim swam to his son and held him. The adult then swam to shore with his little boy. The witnesses, with a pontoon boat, headed from the shoreline out toward the other small boy but did not see any other adult. The adult had boarded the pontoon boat but could no longer see the victim. During this time a call had already been placed to the Llano County S.O. for assistance. The individuals in the pontoon picked up the other small boy, placed a weighted buoy to mark where the victim was last seen and secured the kayak. Llano County deputies arrived on scene and took statements. The Buchanan Dam Volunteer Fire Dept. arrived with a rescue boat and the Kingsland Dive Team entered the water at around 8:00pm. Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens and LCRA rangers also arrived on scene. At approximately 9:15 pm the body was recovered. The deceased was pronounced dead and transported to Putnam Funeral Home in Kingsland, Texas.


BARDID: TX-2012-0006
Date: 2012-03-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2111 CLEAR LAKE (GALV. BAY)
NearestCityTown: Seabrook
County: 101 HARRIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: None
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 03/16/2012 at approximately 11:30 p.m., I received a call from Houston communications that a sailboat had struck a sportfishing boat on the Kemah channel. A Seabrook Marina employee retrieved the operator's name and phone number and relayed it to me.  The operator of the sailboat was driving in the Kemah Channel at approximately 10:30 p.m. when he locked the steering wheel of his vessel in neutral to go to the bathroom in the cabin of the boat. When he became topside, he realized his bow was headed straight to a vessel at Galati Yacht Sales.  Operator1's boat chrome holding for a folding anchor pierced the Viking yacht docked at Galati.  I spoke with Operator1 the next day and he had infomed a saleperson at Galati Yacht Sales, of the incident.  I examined the damage to the Viking yacht and determined the repairs would be in excess of $2,000.00. Subjects were both informed to fill out and return to the department boat accident report forms. There were no reported injuries.


BARDID: TX-2012-0007
Date: 2012-03-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0192 CONROE
NearestCityTown: Willis
County: 170 MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: natural phenomena
AccidentEvent1: Other
OtherAccidentEvent: person struck by debris
RedactedNarrative:
A pontoon boat, containing 5 occupants, was tied to the fifth piller from the east side on the FM 1097 bridge.  The boat was tied on the south side of the bridge.  There was a truck hauling large wooden signs traveling on the FM 1097 bridge.  One of these signs fell off of the trailer and went over the bridge.  The sign was about 6 feet by 4 feet and held together with 2x4 boards.  The sign came into contact with the pontoon boat and 2 occupants.  One of the occupants had red marks on her legs.  victim claimed that her injuries were slight and there was no medical treatment required.  victim2 was transported to the hospital with a laceration to his head and released that day.


BARDID: TX-2012-0009
Date: 2012-03-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:52:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0566 PALESTINE
NearestCityTown: Coffee City
County: 107 HENDERSON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Based on Information gathered from the wife of the vessel operator, there were 3 individuals on board.  The operator Operator, and two minors. Operator’s wife told 911 operators that the vessel her husband was operating had struck a rock in lake Palestine.  She also advised 911, that when the vessel had collided with the object that her husband had fallen and hit his head on the vessel, and that he was bleeding from his ears.  The vessel reached Lake Palestine marina where an ambulance came and transported Operator to ETMC in Tyler.  
Texas Game Wardens arrived at Lake Palestine Marina, and collected the boat, vehicle, and trailer as part of the accident investigation.  A inventory of the vessel, and the vehicle was conducted, but family members arrived and with the consent of Operator’s wife the vehicle and vessel were released.  

Game Wardens then traveled to Tyler to meet with Operator’s wife, and the 11 year old minor with his mother present.  Upon talking with the minor, the vessel had struck the TX-HWY155 bridge, and that Operator had struck his head when he fell, and he had slumped over in the operators seat and seemed to be unconscious.  The minor had disenegaged the throttle, and turned the engine off.  He then called his mother and she called 911. 

Game Wardens then traveled to ETMC in Tyler to meet with Operator who was being treated for his injuries.  Operator stated that he did not remember anything from the accident.  He also stated that he was being treated for broken ribs, and facial fractures. 

Game Warden followed up with Operator on 3/30/2012, and talked to him and found that he had been released from the hospital and would be returning to work on monday 4/2/2012.


BARDID: TX-2012-0010
Date: 2012-03-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0640 SAM RAYBURN
NearestCityTown: Brodaus
County: 203 SAN AUGUSTINE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause3: Hull failure
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/Swamping
AccidentEvent3: Sinking
RedactedNarrative:
While crossing Sam Rayburn from Deer Stand heading to Jackson Hill Resort, the Boat struck an under water object and became lodged on the same. The Vessel quickly filled with water and sank in water depth of approximately 29 feet. When the boat filled with water it ripped free of the obstruction and went out of sight.

Owner completed Report.

Subject was inexperience with the area of the lake where the accident occured.


BARDID: TX-2012-0011
Date: 2012-03-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0173 CLEAR LAKE
NearestCityTown: Kemah
County: 084 GALVESTON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
My Boat (Vessel 1) was parked in my slip. Vessel 2 was leaving his slip and failed to release a spring line. Upon exiting his slip the line caused him to spin into the stern of Vessel 1. I was below when hit and moved to the cockpit and observed crew of Vessel 2 pushing hard on my stern rail to avoid a second collision. Vessel 2 owner refused to provide his address or insurance information.

Vessel 1 Owner Report.


Information is minimal do to only one party reporting.


BARDID: TX-2012-0012
Date: 2012-03-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:35:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0014 AMISTAD
NearestCityTown: Del Rio
County: 233 VAL VERDE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Accident involving one vessel striking a rock, the passenger being ejected from the bow and striking head on a rock. No signs of alcohol playing a role in accident.


BARDID: TX-2012-0013
Date: 2012-03-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:48:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0152 CEDAR CREEK (LAKE)
NearestCityTown: Malakoff
County: 107 HENDERSON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Throttle
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 3-24-2012 Operator was returning to their dock to dock their boat. Operator was operating the boat at the time when the forward throttle stuck and caused their boat to strike the neighboring dock breaking a support post and some boards. At this time occupant was thrown from the boat into the water causing him to receive cuts on his arms. He was removed from the water by neighbors. Ems was called to the location. Occupant was checked out and was not transported to the hospital. Neighbors helped get the boat removed from the damaged dock.


BARDID: TX-2012-0014
Date: 2012-04-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2050 BASTROP BAY
NearestCityTown: Surfside
County: 020 BRAZORIA
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
RedactedNarrative:
Operator stated he was coming out of Bastrop Bay at the Intra-Coastal Waterway and got caught in a wake from another vessel coming into Bastrop Bay. The wake caused his boat to hit a marker post.


BARDID: TX-2012-0015
Date: 2012-04-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 00:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0033 AUSTIN
NearestCityTown: Austin
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: None
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
On 4/8/12 at 12:30am, boat, identified as: TX6018AY, was traveling northbound on Lake Austin in Zone 5.  The driver accelerated rapidly then sharply turned the wheel causing both the driver and single passenger to fall overboard.  The boat then began to drive in circles and ran over the driver, causing injuries to both legs due to propeller strikes.


BARDID: TX-2012-0016
Date: 2012-04-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:41:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0451 LIVINGSTON
NearestCityTown: Coldspring
County: 204 SAN JACINTO
WaterConditions: Unknown
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
According to wife, Operator left to go fishing on April 8, 2012 at about 3 or 4 pm with his kayak.  On April 9, 2012 at about 1:30 pm, a witness saw a kayak floating on the lake.  He noticed that it did not have anyone onboard.  He launched his boat and at about 2 pm he arrived at the kayak and found Operator’s wallet and keys on the kayak.  Game Wardens found Operator’s body floating in the lake at 6:41 pm.  He was already deceased and was still wearing his life jacket. Buckles on the PFD were improperly attached. A tox screen is pending.   

Autopsy was done on April 10, 2012. Cause of death noted was drowning.


BARDID: TX-2012-0017
Date: 2012-04-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1530 SAN JACINTO RIVER
NearestCityTown: Crosby
County: 101 HARRIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Written statement by operator/owner, given 4-12-2012:
"We went for a boat ride towards dam turned around headed back to bank at Down South ATV Park slowed to turn left boat grabbed hard on left side and passenger got thrown out and boat sank."

Witness on scene described boat operator cruising on San Jacinto River and making a pass at the north end of Down South ATB Park beach.  There was a brief period of acceleration at which time the bottom of the hull appeared to delaminate down nearly the length of the boat. As the bottom of the hull made contact with the water, there was an immediate deceleration causing the passenger to be ejected over the bow of the boat. Witness stated it appeared the passenger struck his legs on the dash as he was ejected.  The operator was not ejected but struck the steering wheel causing the steering column to break and as the boat began to sink, he appeared to initially be stuck under the dash due to a broken steering column. He was able to extract himself from the boat and was assisted to the beach by boaters in close proximity to the accident. Injured passenger was also assisted to the beach by the bystanders. PFD's on board but not worn.  Boat sank in about 12-14 feet of water, was marked with bouys and recovered.


BARDID: TX-2012-0018
Date: 2012-04-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Austin
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: People on Gunwale, Bow, or Transom
AccidentCause2: Other
AccidentCause3: Operator inattention
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Accident Conclusion: After reviewing the corroborating witness statements and assessing the scene and circumstances Officer believes that, other than the fact that unbeknownst to the driver the 3 passengers were sitting in an area that is unsafe to sit in under power, that the driver did nothing to directly cause or contribute to this accident. The Victim appears to have been attempting to shift her position and partially stand up at the same moment the boat struck a wave or wake causing her to fall forward off of the vessel, go underneath between the pontoons and strike the propeller causing large lacerations, massive blood loss and ultimately death from the sustained injuries.


BARDID: TX-2012-0020
Date: 2012-04-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0466 LYNDON B. JOHNSON
NearestCityTown: Kingsland
County: 150 LLANO
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 2 was traveling up river towards the Llano river arm from Lions park boat ramp at approximately 5 mph. operator2 was operating, V2 occupant1 occupied the port passenger seat and v2 occupant2 was in the aft passenger seat bench.

Vessel 1 was traveling down river (opposite of Vessel 2) and made a turn back towards the stern of vessel 2. Vessel 1 was traveling at approximately 20 mph when he encountered a large wake. Vessel 1 negotiated the wake still under power but failed to notice vessel 2. V1 opertor cut the throttle as he then noticed vessel 2 causing vessel 1 to lose manueverability. V1 ramped over the stern of V2 on its starboard side.

V1 struck the V2 operator who had moved to protect V2 port passenger, and pressed him into the port handrail.  V1 aft starboard section broke V2 driver windshield and frame. V1 left V2 and reentered the water on V2 starboard bow section.

Report completed by the Lower Colorado River Authority Officer .


BARDID: TX-2012-0021
Date: 2012-04-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:20:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0033 AUSTIN
NearestCityTown: Austin
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Skier mishap
RedactedNarrative:
Boat 1 was pulling an adult and child on a tube eastbound on Lake Austin next to City Park. Operator1 made a hard left turn into the path of boat 2 heading westbound. Operator2 attempted evasive action to the left to avoid collision with boat 1 but struck the tube behind boat 1 instead. The child rider was thrown from the tube by the adult rider but was struck by the hull of boat 2.

Austin PD Officer completed this report.


BARDID: TX-2012-0022
Date: 2012-04-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0379 INKS
NearestCityTown: Burnet
County: 027 BURNET
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Missing or Inadequate Navigation Aids
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
RedactedNarrative:
While Operating the vessel, I struck an unknown unmarked submerged boulder in about 15 feet of water. There was no way for me to see the submerged rock as it was about 3 feet down.

Operator completed report.


BARDID: TX-2012-0023
Date: 2012-03-31 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2180 GALVESTON BAY
NearestCityTown: La Porte
County: 101 HARRIS
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 Operator Report: I was participating with 3 crew members in a regatta when the sailing vessel "Espada" collided with the stern of my boat, damaging the hull and causing my boat to dismast. Espada was the overtaking vessel.

Vessel 2 Operator Report: My boat was leeward boat and maintained right of way the entire time to the windward vessel 1. Vessel 1 backstay "hooked" and entangled my bow pulpit locking the boats together. The waves banged the boats together until Vessel 1's backstay parted. The incident took 3 seconds. Vessel 1 had been "Hailed" twice and told to keep clear of the leeward privileged vessel.


BARDID: TX-2012-0025
Date: 2012-04-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0128 CADDO
NearestCityTown: Uncertain, Texas
County: 102 HARRISON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Alcohol
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On the afternoon of 27 April 2012 at approximately 5:45pm, Operator was driving Vessel 1(TX8584BF) on Caddo Lake in the Alligator Bayou area.  Their was 5 other people on the vessel with Operator at the time of the accident.  Operator was coming around a sharp bend in the bayou when the boat started to slide towards the outside of the curve.  When he noticed the boat starting to slide Operator warned the passengers to hold on because they were going to collide with a cypress stump.  When they collided with the cypress stump occupant shifted towards the bow of the boat with his left leg sliding under a metal bench seat.  The edge of the metal bench seat lacerated occupant’s left leg just above the knee cap.  I Texas State Game Warden and my partner Game Warden was patrolling Caddo Lake when we notice a boat go past us with a injured person on board.  We then notified Harrison County Dispatch and told us they were just notified of the situation also.  We followed Vessel 1 to Johnsons Ranch Marina where we would meet with Marshall EMS.  occupant was then transported to Good Sheppard Medical Center Marshall, Texas.


BARDID: TX-2012-0027
Date: 2012-04-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0519 MURVAUL
NearestCityTown: Gary
County: 183 PANOLA
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Tuesday
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
AccidentCause2: Missing or Inadequate Navigation Aids
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
RedactedNarrative:
On 17 April 2012 at approximately 9:30 pm, vessel operator along with three passengers were taking a ride in a 21 foot Malibu Wakesetter on Lake Murvaul.  The operator of the vessel began to navigate back to his boat dock but was lined up on a navigational light that was approximately 150 feet from the one he thought to be lined up with.  As the operator approached the shoreline where his dock was located, he began to slow the vessel to approximately 15 –20 mph.  As the operator slowed the vessel the vessel collided with a fishing pier sending the vessel airborne.  After the collision, the vessel landed upright on the other side of the pier causing significant damage to both the vessel and the pier.  No injuries were reported and the vessel was later loaded onto a trailer and transported back to the Dallas, TX area to be repaired.


BARDID: TX-2012-0028
Date: 2012-04-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 02:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0152 CEDAR CREEK (LAKE)
NearestCityTown: Gun Barrel City
County: 107 HENDERSON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 4-22-2012 and at approximately 2:00 a.m. Operator was operating a 25 ft baja pleasure boat on Cedar Creek Lake. Operator and passenger were heading North when they struck the Hwy 334 causeway bridge. Operator managed to get the boat to Seven Points where 911 personell were notified of the incident. Once on the scene EMS transported Operator to Baylor Medical in Dallas and passenger was transported to ETMC Tyler via Care-Flight. The bow of the boat had severe structural damage due to impact with the bridge pylon. There was alcohol present in the boat immediately following the accident. Operator received lacerations to both legs and a swollen eye. passenger received severe head trauma due to the impact of the boat with the bridge pylon. Operator's blood analysis was a .166.


BARDID: TX-2012-0029
Date: 2012-04-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 8230 LOWER LAGUNA MADRE
NearestCityTown: South Padre Island
County: 031 CAMERON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel one was travelling southwest across the Lower Laguna Madre. The operator and passengers stated that they could see several personal watercraft operating in the distance. As they travelled south west across the bay it appeared that they were in a colliding path with one of the PWC's. The operator changed his course of travel so as to avoid the collision. 

The operator of vessel 2, the PWC, crossed the boat's path and performed a circular spin and then reversed its direction of travel. 

The operator of vessel 1 stated that they were again on an intersection path and he again changed his course of travel. 

The operator of vessel 2 then performed a second circular maneuver and accelerated out of the circle in a straight line. Vessel 2 impacted vessel one on the port side of vessel 1 and the starboard side of vessel 2. Vessel 1 ramped over the top of vessel 2. The operator of vessel 2 was able to jump clear of the collision. The passenger of vessel 2 was forced under vessel 1. The propeller from vessel 1 cut across the stern of vessel 2 and through the passenger's head. 

The passenger of vessel 2 suffered severe head trauma from the propeller strike and died almost instantly. 

Witnesses from a nearby vessel livery heard the collision and responded immediately to get the victims out of the water. 

Vessel 1 was operating within the Parks and Wildlife Code with all applicable water safety equipment. Not At Fault 

Vessel 2 was a PWC operated by an individual born after 10/1/1993 who should have completed a basic boater education course PWC 31.109 
Vessel 2 was the give way vessel in the collision PWC 31.093 
Vessel 2 was a PWC operating greater than headway speed within 50' of another vessel PWC 31.106(4) 

Vessel 2 was rented from a vessel livery who failed to give proper instruction as to the applicable personal watercraft laws for safe operation PWC 31.111(b)(1)m


BARDID: TX-2012-0031
Date: 2012-04-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 8230 LOWER LAGUNA MADRE
NearestCityTown: Port Mansfield
County: 245 WILLACY
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Machinery failure
AccidentCause3: Weather
MachineryFailure: Engine
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
THE VESSEL LEFT THE PORT MANSFIELD HARBOR AND BEGAN TO TRAVEL EAST THROUGH THE LOWER LAGUNA MADRE.  THE OPERATOR EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE.  THE VESSEL DRIFTED QUICKLY TOWARD NEARBY PIERS DUE TO THE HIGH WINDS.  WHEN THE VESSEL NEARED ONE OF THE PIERS, THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VESSEL ALL SHIFTED TO THE PORT SIDE OF THE VESSEL TO ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE VESSEL FROM COLLIDING WITH THE PIER.  THIS CAUSED THE PORT GUNNEL TO GO UNDER WATER.  THE VESSEL RAPIDLY TOOK ON WATER AND CAPSIZED.  ALL PERSONS ABOARD MADE IT OUT SAFELY AND CLIMBED ATOP THE PIER.  THE VESSEL WAS SECURED TO THE PIER UNTIL SAFER CONDITIONS PERMITTED A SALVAGE ATTEMPT.  THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE VESSEL WAS UPRIGHTED AND REMOVED FROM THE WATER.


BARDID: TX-2012-0032
Date: 2012-05-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 03:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1998 G OF MEX OFF SABINE LK <
NearestCityTown: Sabine Pass
County: 123 JEFFERSON
WaterConditions: Very Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Unkn
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Restricted vision
AccidentCause3: Hazardous waters
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
The fishing vessel Pesca Fiesta left Galveston, Texas on May 12, 2012 at approximately 1945 and headed out the Galveston Jettys on their way to Cocodrie La.
During the voyage, the weather deteriorated and left the operator without visibility.  Operator decided to enter Sabine jetties and anchor in safe water to wait out the weather.  Because of the large waves, and heavy rain, Operator stated that his radar did not show the Sabine Jetties and due to his inexperience with his chartplotter, he mis-judged his entrance to the Sabine Jetties and struck the west Jetty wall.  Operator stated that the vessel was traveling at approximately 10 knots and that the vessel came to a complete stop when it struck the jetty.  Operator was able to back off the jetty using his own engines and he said that he then called the USCG Sabine for help.  Operator also activated his EPIRB to help in the USCG locating them.  Operator was able to make his way into Sabine Pass and he tied up at the Sabine Pass Port Authority.  It was there that he was able to make a damage assessment and found that his vessel was leaking water at the keel near the bow, and that he was missing his starboard propeller.  Operator was able to make temporary repairs to the breach enough to slow down the leak so that pumps were able to keep the vessel afloat.


BARDID: TX-2012-0033
Date: 2012-05-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 01:12:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 3360 MATAGORDA BAY
NearestCityTown: Port O'Connor
County: 158 MATAGORDA
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Storm
Visibility: Unkn
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Improper anchoring
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
Two men jointly purchased a used recreational fishing boat the day prior to the accident.  They took it out that evening to fish around the western-most Matagorda Jetty.  While at anchor about 40-50 feet Nortwest of the jetty rocks, a sizeable thunderstorm moved into the area.  "We couldn't have anticipated the storm," explained the boat operator, although he had also explained he had consulted the weather forecast.

As the boat washed up upon the granite rock jetties, the four men had donned their life jackets and scurried onto the land for safety.  "It [the boat] was way up on the rocks at an angle," explained the operator.

The US Coast Guard (CG25833) rescued the four men (Case #593068) at 2:32 a.m..  No injuries were reported.  Alcohol was not noted as a factor in the incident, although the four men admitted to having had beer in their boat's ice chest (now missing) and had consumed a limited quantity prior to the storm rolling into the area.

The four men also self-reported having life jackets board.  They were not being worn prior to the storm, but were donned as the storm entered the area.  One occupant explained that the storm approached in, "30 to 60 seconds."

The boat was found upright later that morning, around 7:20 a.m., about two miles north of the original incident.  It was towed into Port O'Connor by a commercial shrimper, who then contacted the US Coast Guard and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

Written sworn statements were obtained from each of the four men later that day.  A written sworn statement was also obtained from the commercial shrimper who had towed the boat into Port O'Connor.  Eight color digital photographs were taken of the boat after it was placed onto the trailer.  Its engine had started and it was placed onto that trailer under its own power.

END OF REPORT


BARDID: TX-2012-0034
Date: 2012-05-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:44:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0487 MCQUEENEY
NearestCityTown: McQueeney
County: 094 GUADALUPE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
RedactedNarrative:
Operator was pulling two people on a tube behind a PWC.  Operator was operating the PWC in a narrow part of Lake McQueeney.  Operator made a sharp u-turn and the tube slung out wide and hit a boat dock.  Tuber1 took the brunt of the impact, suffering a broken left femur.  Tuber2 had some small cuts and was not transported to the hospital.  Tuber1 was airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.  The rope that was being used to tow the tube was a water ski rope.  It was too long to be used for pulling a tube, the PWC operator could not control the tube behind the PWC.


BARDID: TX-2012-0035
Date: 2012-05-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0320 GRAPEVINE
NearestCityTown: Grapevine
County: 220 TARRANT
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
At approximately 8:30 PM on 5/5/12 I, State Game Warden responded to a call about a boating accident that occurred on Lake Grapevine. The accident occurred near the Trawick boat ramp on Lake Grapevine at approximately 7:00PM.  As Vessel 1 was disembarking from the dock, Vessel 2 approached Vessel 1 recklessly and impacted Vessel 1 near the stern on the port side in a perpendicular fashion. The collision was estimated to have occurred at approximately 15 mph. No injuries were sustained and all parties returned to Silverlake Marina where both vessels had been rented. The parties informed the Marina Manager of the collision, and I was dispatched to investigate the crash. During my investigation, I found probable cause to exist for reckless operation (PWC 31.094) by Operator2, and a citation was issued.


BARDID: TX-2012-0036
Date: 2012-05-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0534 INGRAM
NearestCityTown: Ingram
County: 133 KERR
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
According to witnesses, vessel number 1 was traveling northwest on Ingram lake parrallel with the shoreline at an approximate speed of 30 miles per hour.  Vessel number 2 was near the shoreline on the starboard side of vessel number 1.  Vessel number 2 accelerated into the path of vessel number 1 at which time vessel number 1 made an evasive manuever to the port side.  Vessel number 2 continued traveling from north to south.  

vessel number 1 then struck vessel number 2 throwing the operator and passenger of vessel number 2 into the water.  Because vessel number 2 was a personnal watercraft, the operator should have maintained a distance of 50 feet from vessel number 1.  There appeared to be no failure of equipment and alcohol and/or drug use were not a cause in the accident.  PFD's appear to have been used properly.  Vessel number 2 violated the 50' rule causing the collision between the two vesssels.


BARDID: TX-2012-0037
Date: 2012-05-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0714 TAWAKONI
NearestCityTown: West Tamakoni
County: 116 HUNT
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Equipment failure
AccidentCause2: Weather
EquipmentFailure: Auxiliary
OtherEquipmentFailure: bilge
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Approximately 9:30am anchored up fishing. Pulled in both anchors and boat started taking on water. I had Bilge pump running within 30 seconds. Boat flipped and threw us both into the water. Both of us were wearing life vests. WE both crawled onto the bottom of the boat and waited approximately 30 minutes before the fireman rescued us. They pulled the boat to a ramp, drained the water and helped us load it onto the trailer. They checked and found the bilge pump hose had rattled off and could not pump the water from the boat.

Operator Completed Report.


BARDID: TX-2012-0038
Date: 2012-05-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:23:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0124 BUFFALO SPRINGS
NearestCityTown: Lubbock
County: 152 LUBBOCK
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
An individual skiing with his PFD on Buffalo Springs Lake let go of the rope and sank into the water.  As soon as his head was level with the surface of the water, a jet ski ran over the top of the skier.  A passing boat stopped and helped load the skier up and took him to the marina to meet an ambulance as family members of the skier called 911.  The operator of the jet ski did not stop and render aid.  The operator of the jet ski was identified by family members and was contacted moments after the accident.  When interviewing the operator of the jet ski, I could smell alcohol on the jet ski operator’s breath.  The operator was put through SFST's and failed.  When read the DIC 24, asking for a sample of blood, the operator refused.  Because of the accident, a mandatory blood draw was issued and was taken the University Medical Center where the mandatory blood draw was performed.  The operator of the jet ski was taken to the Lubbock Detention Center office and booked for Intoxication Assault.


BARDID: TX-2012-0039
Date: 2012-05-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0451 LIVINGSTON
NearestCityTown: Coldspring
County: 204 SAN JACINTO
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Witnesses describe a PWC being operated by the victim in the vicinity of Wolf Creek Park, Lake Livingston, in San Jacinto County Texas. The weather was windy and the water was very rough. The victim was seen to fall off the PWC. According to witnesses, Operator was swimming toward the PWC which was traveling in a circular motion around where he'd fallen off. The witnesses say that he was not wearing a PFD. When the witnesses looked to where they had seen Operator was gone, but the PWC was still going in a circular motion. They called 911 at about 12:30 PM.
The PWC was recovered by another boater. The lanyard was attached to the PWC but not to Operator.
The search resumed until the State Game Warden dive team arrived with the Sea Scan Sonar unit. Wardens located the body at approximately 2130 and brought the victim ashore to be examined by the Justice of the Peace.


BARDID: TX-2012-0041
Date: 2012-05-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:50:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0164 CHOKE CANYON
NearestCityTown: Three Rivers
County: 149 LIVE OAK
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: People on Gunwale, Bow, or Transom
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
A passenger on Vessel 1, reported to Texas Parks & Wildlife Game Wardens that she, her husband, and their grandchild, were fishing on Choke Canyon Reservoir at approximately 10:00 am on Sunday, May 6th, 2012. Passenger reported that at around 3:00 pm they untied from some tree stumps and began to head back to the boat ramp at the South Shore unit of Choke Canyon State Park. Passenger reported that after they untied from their fishing spot, Operator’s hat blew off. Upon his attempt to retrieve his hat, Operator fell into the water and struggled to stay afloat. Passenger stated that a life jacket was thrown and a pole was used in attempts to reach Operator, but he had submerged and did not re-surface.

Texas Game Wardens, State Troopers, Live Oak County EMS, Sheriffs Department, Volunteer Fire and Rescue teams, and the San Marcos Area Recovery Team (SMART) participated in recovery efforts for the remainder of the afternoon. The next day, Texas Game Wardens located Operator with the aid of a Side Scan Sonar device. Operator was recovered at approximately 2:28 pm on Monday, May 7th, 2012, with assistance from SMART divers.


BARDID: TX-2012-0043
Date: 2012-05-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:38:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1220 FRIO RIVER
NearestCityTown: Three Rivers
County: 149 LIVE OAK
WaterConditions: Unknown
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause2: Dam/lock
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 5/12/2012, at approximately 7:00 PM, I, Texas State Game Warden, was on patrol with Warden Calvin Christian in George West, Texas. I received a call about an individual who capsized his kayak at Tips Park, located Northwest of Three Rivers, TX. Warden and I arrived on scene and met Sgt. with the Three Rivers Police Department.  

Sgt. informed us that an individual, later identified, was kayaking over the low head dam when his boat capsized and he drowned. Sgt. stated there was a witness that was with Operator during the accident. 

The witness was identified. Witness stated that he and Operator had known each other for approximately two years and had been kayaking together several times before. Witness stated he was going to videotape Operator going over the dam. Operator was wearing his personal flotation device with a .357 Taurus hand gun attached to the front. Also, Operator had a dry bag inside a compartment which contained his ID, wallet, personal effects, and a model 32 Glock hand gun.

Operator went over the dam and immediately the kayak capsized. Both Operator and the Kayak went under water. Periodically, both the kayak and Operator would come up resurface and then go back down again. This action was caused by the hydraulics of the dam producing an undertow.  Witness got in his kayak to try and help Operator, but Witness felt his kayak being pulled into the current so he bailed out only three feet from shore. Witness’s kayak was pulled by the current to the dam and was then caught in the undertow of the current. 

Operator and his kayak eventually resurfaced and Operator was seen drifting down river from the dam floating face down with his PFD still on.  Operator was pulled out of the river approximately one quarter mile down river from the dam by two firefighters from the Three Rivers Fire Department. Judge Chapa, the Justice of the Peace, stated he believed it was a bad accident and pronounced deceased at 7:45 PM.  Operator’s .357 Taurus was not attached to his PFD when he was recovered.  Operator’s kayak and paddle was found the next day approximately two miles downriver from the dam; however, the dry bag with his wallet, ID, Glock handgun and personal effects were never recovered.


BARDID: TX-2012-0044
Date: 2012-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0006 ALAN HENRY
NearestCityTown: Post
County: 085 GARZA
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Congested waters
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday May 26, 2012 at approximately 2:30 pm I, Texas Game Warden was on patrol on Lake Alan Henry.  I received a phone call from an individual that was anchored in the Gobbler Creek Cove.  He stated a Lubbock Dive boat had just hit 4 vessels that were anchored.  He said the operator of the Lubbock Dive boat acted as if nothing had happened and left the cove.  He wanted to know what he needed to do to make a report.  I told him I would be enroute to Gobbler Cove to investigate the incident. 
     I phoned Garza County Constable to advise him of the situation.  He said he would contact Lubbock Assistant Police Chief who was at the lake that day.  Shortly after Constable advised me Chief wanted to meet me concerning the situation.  I made contact with Chief, Sgt., and Cpl. near the public boat ramp.  I gave them the information I had then we all proceeded to the area of Gobbler Creek.  Chief made contact with the Lubbock Dive boat outside Gobbler Creek.  After their meeting Sgt. boarded my vessel and we proceeded into the Cove of Gobbler Creek.  
     I made contact with operator of vessel #1.  He explained to me about how the operator of the Lubbock Dive boat approached a line of vessels that were at anchor.  He said when they got too close the operator tried to reverse away from them, but it caused the front of the pontoon to slam into 4 of the anchored vessels.  He said the operator of the Lubbock Dive boat then acted like nothing happened and began to leave.  V1 Subject said everyone began yelling at the Lubbock Dive boat to wait because it had caused damage to 2 of the vessels.  The operator of the Lubbock Dive boat said he didn't think it had done any damage, but proceeded to give V1 Subject his name and phone number.
     I spoke with the operator of vessel#2.  He told me the same story and said that he had minor damage to the bow of his boat.  Sgt. began to take pictures of all the vessels at anchor and the visible damage.  V1 Subject's boat had a gouge approximately 4" long that cut into the fiberglass and caused chipping of the glass coat.  V2 subject had approximately a quarter sized chip out of the glass coat on top of the bow of the boat.  Two other boats were hit, but no visible damage was done.
     I obtained contact information from the parties involved and advised them to get estimates of the damage.  I left the cove area and proceeded to make contact with the Lubbock Dive boat that was outside Gobbler Creek.  I made contact with the operator.  I asked him what happened.  He advised he was operating the Dive boat into the Cove area of Gobbler Creek.  He was approaching the numerous boats that were at anchor in the no wake area of the Cove.  He said he noticed he was drifting too close to the boats so he began to maneuver to try and get away from them.  At that point the vessel swung around and bumped the boats.  He said he left because he did not think it had done any damage.  He said it was a very hostile crowd, but he did give them his name and phone number.  I obtained personal information from the other three occupants onboard the Lubbock Dive boat.
     I advised Sgt. and Chief that I would get the report submitted to the Coast Guard.
     I feel that inattention and lack of experience led to the accident.  It was windy on the lake that day and it would be difficult to maneuver around that many vessels close together with a pontoon.


BARDID: TX-2012-0045
Date: 2012-05-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0014 AMISTAD
NearestCityTown: Del Rio
County: 233 VAL VERDE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 05/18/2012 VESSEL 1 (BASS CAT) was coming out of the no wake zone at black brush and coming up on plane travelling east toward U.S. 277 N Bridge on Lake Amistad.  VESSEL 1 BASS CAT operator advised that he did see VESSEL 2 (GAMBLER) and was following behind inside VESSEL 2 GAMBLER wake.  VESSEL 2 slowed and come off of plane and was coming to an idle to steer toward destination.  VESSEL 1 BASS CAT did not see that VESSEL 2 GAMBLER had slowed down and realized that they were going to collide.  Vessel 1 BASS CAT immediately throttled down to slow down and felt the boat go up and sit down on top of VESSEL 2 GAMBLER.  VESSEL 1 BASS CAT Ramped VESSEL 2 GAMBLER.  VESSEL 1 BASS CAT operator advised that he had no time to steer away or make any kind of corrective action before colliding.  The operator of VESSEL 1 BASS CAT then advised that the boat fell off of VESSEL 2 GAMBLER on the starboard side.  

VESSEL 2 GAMBLER operator advised that he felt a hard hit in the back of the head and a shove downward from VESSEL 1 BASS CAT.  VESSEL 1 BASS CAT circled VESSEL 2 GAMBLER to see if everyone was okay from the accident.  Both VESSEL 1 BASS CAT and VESSEL 2 GAMBLER Returned to Black Brush Boat Ramp to call for help.  VESSEL 2 GAMBLER operator received a small laceration to the right forearm and a skinned mark on top of the head.  VESSEL 2 GAMBLER operator was seen by medical personnel and refused transport to the hospital.  No other additional occupants of either Vessel 1 or 2 were injured or ejected.  None of the operators or occupants were wearing life-jackets.  

VESSEL 1 BASS CAT was found to be at fault for reckless operation and was issued citation for the violation.


BARDID: TX-2012-0046
Date: 2012-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0118 BUCHANAN
NearestCityTown: Buchanan Dam
County: 150 LLANO
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Force of wave/wake
AccidentCause2: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Operator was operating his boat while retrieving juglines when they noticed an individual trying to get their attention on the shoreline. When they approached the shoreline they encountered a young man with a Sea-Doo PWC who was having mechanical problems. They nosed their boat toward the shoreline and gave the young man a bag of tools. With the strong winds the boat began to take waves over the transom. They began bailing water. The young man fixed the PWC and saw that Operator's boat was taking on water. The young man left, stating that he would call for help. Operator was able to hand push the boat into the oncoming waves. When he attempted to plow into the waves all the water in the boat rushed to the stern and it became submerged. The boat then took on more water and began to sink. The vessel turned sideways and the high waves rolled the boat causing it to capsize. One of the passengers was able to locate one cell phone and keep it dry enough to call 911. I located the subjects on the shoreline at approximately 9:00 p.m.


BARDID: TX-2012-0047
Date: 2012-06-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0466 LYNDON B. JOHNSON
NearestCityTown: Kingsland
County: 150 LLANO
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Excessive speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On June 2nd 2012 at approximately 7pm, Vessel 1, a ski style boat, operated by Operator1 was traveling south on the Colorado arm of Lake LBJ. They were headed home because the vessel was low on fuel. They were on the west side of the channel and on plane, but only going fast enough to maintain plane and conserve fuel. 

Vessel 2, a PWC, was headed north also traveling on the west side of the channel. Vessel two’s operator was watching the witness as she was about to jump off the top of a boat dock. Vessel 2 was described as cruising at a rate of speed above medium for a PWC, but not full speed. Because of Operator2’s lack of attention and high speed, he did not notice he was headed straight for vessel 1. Vessel 1’s operator and its two adult passengers attempted to wave and yell at Vessel 2 to warn it away. 

At the last moment, vessel 1 turned east to avoid the boat docks to the west and to avoid a head on collision with vessel 2. Vessel 2 struck the starboard side, low and center on vessel 1 and the operator of vessel 2 was described as being ejected off the PWC and over vessel 1, striking his foot on some object before landing safely in the water. 

The operators made contact, exchanged information and did not notify any law enforcement agencies. I, Game Warden, was working on Lake LBJ on June 3rd when I was flagged down from the shoreline by Operator1 who made the report. Operator1 told me that the three children and one other adult passenger were wearing their PFDs, but Operator1 and his wife, were not wearing theirs and did not put them on even after the boat began taking on water. Game Warden made contact with Operator2 and issued citations. Operator2 was said to have worn a PFD. One of Operator2’s ankles was injured, but from his judgment, not enough to seek immediate medical attention. No other injuries were reported.


BARDID: TX-2012-0048
Date: 2012-06-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0061 BELTON (BELL CO)
NearestCityTown: Temple
County: 014 BELL
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 06-02-2012, at approximately 1909hrs, Warden was contacted by the Corp in reference to a boating accident at Temple Lake Park.  Resulting in a jet ski with two persons onboard, running over two swimmers.  The two swimmers were transported to the Scott and White Hospital to be checked out and later released.
Warden arrived on scene at approximately 1911hrs and met with the Corp Ranger on duty and the operator of the Jet Ski ID.  The operator of the vessel stated him and his daughter where on the Jet Ski and making a turn when the steering went out of the Jet Ski.  Causing the Jet Ski to go into a group of swimmers striking two swimmers in the water, 10 ft from a pontoon boat, that was approximately 150 ft from the Temple Lake Park swim beach (See Attached statement by Operator).  After speaking to the operator of the vessel and asking multiple questions, Warden determined that the operator had very little, if any, experience with this Jet Ski or any other jet ski. 
After a lengthy conversation with Operator Warden didn't detect any alcohol coming from Operator's breath and or person and also didn't observe any around the picnic table that he was initially standing around.  Warden also talked to Temple PD Officer's over the telephone, who were the ones first on scene and they stated that they didn't detect any signs of intoxication or impairment of Operator either.
Before arriving on scene to the 6 yr old swimmer and the 32 yr old swimmer were transported to Scott and White Hospital.
On 06-03-2012, at approximately 1730hrs, Warden made contact with both swimmers that were transported to the hospital the previous day.  Warden took photos of both the 6yr old and the 32 yr old, documenting their injuries.  Bell Co. sheriffs Deputy 2229, a female, was present during the photos of the 32 yr old females back.  The mother was present, and gave consent to photos of the 6yr olds injury to her forehead.  Both individuals were verbally.  Warden obtained a written statement from Victim1.  She advised that her and her family where approximately 10 ft from the pontoon boat swimming, approximately 150 feet off the Temple Lake Park swim area.  She stated that she had just jumped into the water one last time, before they left the lake for the day, and as soon as she jumped in, she popped her head up and observed a jet ski, coming right at her.  She stated that it was going very fast, because she could see the white water on both sides of the Jet Ski.  She further advised that she had no time to react and all she could do was turn her body sideways.  When she turned the Jet Ski hit her on the upper left side of her back causing contusions, bruising, and soreness.  She further advised that she didn't realize it but that her daughter had jumped in right after she did and was in the water to.  She advised that she heard Victim2 screaming and crying and went directly to her.  At that point she stated several people from the pontoon boat jumped in the water to help them both get into the pontoon boat.  She stated that it all happened so fast and that they called for help and EMS responded to transport both her and her daughter to the hospital.  She advised that she was checked out and her daughter Victim2 had X-rays, and a CAT scan.  Both were given a clean bill of health and were released from the hospital later that night.  (See attached statement from Victim1)
Statements were also obtained from (operator owner of pontoon boat witness), (mother of Victim1 and witness) and (sister of Victim1 witness on pontoon boat). 
Class C misdemeanors filed in JP 1 court.
NFI


BARDID: TX-2012-0050
Date: 2012-06-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:03:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0152 CEDAR CREEK (LAKE)
NearestCityTown: Log Cabin
County: 107 HENDERSON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
At approximately 06:00 pm on 06-08-2012 on Cedar Creek Lake by the KingsPointe subdivision, two people were operating their personal water crafts which they own. At one point in time Operator2 who was operating vessel 2 pulled up along side Operator1 operating vessel 1 on her left side trying to get her attention. 

At this point Operator1 turned to look at Operator2 and when she did she made a slight turn to the left. They then had a glancing blow collision. At this point Operator2 turned his PWC to the left also trying to prevent a collision causing his PWC to lean to his left causing the back right of the PWC to rise out of the water. When this happened contact was made with the right side of vessel 2 and Operator1s left leg. They both fell off of their PWC and were able to get to their pier where EMS transported her from there. Operator1 had a broken left leg and no injuries to Operator2.


BARDID: TX-2012-0051
Date: 2012-06-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:39:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0696 STILLHOUSE HOLLOW
NearestCityTown: Belton
County: 014 BELL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
On 6/09/12, at approximately 1739hrs, Warden was contacted by Bell Co. dispatch stating that there was an individual on Lake Stillhouse that had fallen off a boat, gone under water, and had not returned back to the surface.   

At 1826hr, Warden arrived on scene. Warden observed two boats beached on the island, close to marina, and the occupants of both vessels were distrait.   

Warden talked to the individuals on the vessels and found two good eye-wittiness, who was on the boat and who was on another boat.  They stated that the victim was kneeling and about to begin urinating off the front of the boat, while the boat motor was idling, and drifting.  They further advised that Victim's wife, was sitting at the helm, behind the wheel.  Witness1 stated that the next thing they heard was a loud splash.  Witness1 looked back toward the direction of were Victim was and he wasn't' there.  Witness1 ran to the front of the boat and he stating that as he was doing so heard a loud thud.  He stated that it sounded like something hit one of the pontoons on the boat.  Witness1, then advised that Victim came up next to the boat, on the starboard side, but was just floating there dazed and confused. Witness1 and Operator asked  Victim if he was okay, Victim replied yes. Do to the wind the boat continued to float closer to the north shore and further away from Victim, as he was just floating there in the water.   

Operator called to Victim, and asked him why he wasn't swimming toward the boat.  Victim replied he didn't know.   

At that time Witness1 stated that he jumped in the water and swam toward him approximately 10-15ft.  Victim was still not swimming, just floating.  Witness1 stated that he grabbed Victim, from behind and began to swim toward the direction of the vessel, still floating away.  Witness1 stated that as he had a hold of Victim he was talking to him and Victim was unresponsive and was getting heavier and heavier.  Witness1 stated that he was trying to keep Victim's head above the water line, but due to the weight, it was pulling Witness1 under the water too.  Witness1 further advised that he wasn't feeling Victim breath and Victim's head kept going further and further under the water after each wave.  Witness1 stated that he started to feel as if he was sucking in water and was about to drown and had to let go of Victim.   

At that point subject, who was on scene and saw what was going on, got in his boat and went to pick up Witness1 and Operator, who had also jumped into the water. 

Warden also had Witness1 and subject2 on his patrol vessel and had them help mark the area where they last saw Victim go down.  Warden marked the area with a gps unit and an orange marker.   

Warden returned the witness to their boat and began using the Side Scan Sonar device, on his patrol vessel in an attempt to locate Victim. At 2140hrs, Warden called the search off until the morning, due to it getting to dark for the divers. 

At 0715hrs, Wardens, and the Morgan's Point Dive Team responded back to the area to continue the search for Victim. 

At approximately 1245hrs, Warden located Victim using the Side Scan Sonar and had the dive team dive on what he believed was the body.   

The dive team dived on the area and at 1253hrs, the dive team confirmed that they had located Victim.   

Warden transported Victim to the shoreline and contacted JP Cook and Temple Mortuary. 

Warden requested an autopsy be performed and the body was transferred to Temple Mortuary for transport. 

On 9-7-12, Warden received the full Autopsy report from Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences at Dallas.  It showed the cause of death to be drowning, a vitreous al


BARDID: TX-2012-0054
Date: 2012-06-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:18:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1778 GILMER RESERVOIR
NearestCityTown: Gilmer
County: 230 UPSHUR
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Missing or Inadequate Navigation Aids
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/Swamping
AccidentEvent3: Capsizing
RedactedNarrative:
Boat owner/operator stated that he was following another boat from the public boat ramp to the dam area of Gilmer Lake when his boat struck an underwater stump.  He stopped to check his boat but could not find anything wrong and continued driving until he reached his destination near the dam and started fishing.  Approximately 15 minutes later, Operator decided to move to another fishing location when he noticed water in the boat.  Operator then started his engine to return to the boat ramp.  As he began to increase speed, the bow went straight up from the weight of the water onboard.  The boat soon began to sink.  Operator began blowing his air horn and his friend came back to pick him up and took him back to the ramp.  

Operator contacted Upshur County Sheriff's Office.  Upshur County Deputy arrived and contacted a friend already on the lake.  Together, they located the capsized boat and tied a rope to it and pulled it back to the boat ramp.  Operator later contacted Overstreet Wrecker Service who assisted in getting the boat out of the lake and onto the trailer.

I was on boat patrol at Lake Gladewater at the time of the accident.  I was contacted by Upshur County dispatch and later coresponded with Deputy while he was still on-scene.  I asked Deputy if he noticed or suspected any foul play, alcohol, wreckless or careless operation, or any other factors that might have contributed to the accident.  He stated "no."  Deputy stated that it involved only a single boat, single driver, and no injuries.  He said that everything was under control and that the operator simply hit an underwater stump a few feet outside the boat lane.  I asked him to collect the operator and boat information and that I would contact both him and the operator to complete a boat accident report.

On Tuesday, June 12 at approximately 9 a.m. I contacted Operator.  He reiterated that he hit an underwater stump just outside the boat lane.  He also said that other boats had hit the same stump.  He said that he had punched a hole(s) in the bottom of his boat/fiberglass and would be getting repair bids this week at Tiny's Fiberglass.  He said the boat might be totaled.  I advised that I would be contacting him for more information as needed.

On Monday, June 25, I followed up with Operator.  He stated that he believed his boat would be a total loss, but gave me a figure of $4,303 in repair damages and $2,500 loss to contents (trolling motor, depth finder, tackle, etc.) some of which he said was still at the bottom of the lake.  He stated that he wanted to contact authorities about marking underwater stumps because the one he struck was in or near the boating channel.


BARDID: TX-2012-0055
Date: 2012-06-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0301 LEWISVILLE
NearestCityTown: Hickory Creek
County: 061 DENTON
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause3: People on Gunwale, Bow, or Transom
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was heading South/Southwest around Queen's Point of Oakland Park on Lake Lewisville. According to the occupants, the vessel was traveling at approximately 25-30 mph, and hit a big wave and at the same time the vessel took a sharp turn to the left. The victim was sitting in the open bow section of the vessel on the port side and was ejected over the strboard side when the vessel turned left. The vessel turned around immediately to search for the victim, who never resurfaced. Operator admits to drinking only two beers prior to operating the vessel.


BARDID: TX-2012-0064
Date: 2012-06-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:06:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1710 SABINE PASS
NearestCityTown: Sabine Pass
County: 123 JEFFERSON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Missing or Inadequate Navigation Aids
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
RedactedNarrative:
Operator and his passengers were traveling north through Sabine Pass, north of the jetties on the Texas side. He observed two bouys to the left and right of his boats path of travel. He stated that the bouys were approximately 100 yards apart, and that there did not appear to be anything between them. He was traveling approximately 25mph when he struck a black plastic dredge pipe that he stated was submerged just below the surface (approximately 2 to 4 inches). This caused his motor to flip forward into the boat and to strike his t-top, barely missing him and his passengers. The motor had damage to the prop and cowling, the wiring was pulled loose, the motor mount was broke, there were small scratches on the keel of the boat, and the transom was cracked at the sides. The t-top was dented downward where the motor landed on it. Operator called the Coast Guard and was given a tow to the boat ramp he launched from in Sabine Pass. Myself and Game Warden responded to the call. We talked with all involved and took pictures of the damage to the boat.


BARDID: TX-2012-0065
Date: 2012-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0466 LYNDON B. JOHNSON
NearestCityTown: Kingsland
County: 150 LLANO
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 Driver and passenger were riding near Applehead Island on Lake LBJ. The PWC was moving west from the west portion of Applehead Island when the PWC struck a wave or wake which caused the PWC to bounce upward. The passenger lost her hold and was tossed into the air. The passenger struck her ribs on a portion of the PWC as she fell and entered the water. She was transported to shore and later in the evening sought medical attention at a local hospital.

Officer Report.


BARDID: TX-2012-0066
Date: 2012-05-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0192 CONROE
NearestCityTown: Conroe
County: 170 MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Unit 1 was reported to be traveling North East in the water Point Marina basins no wake zone toward the mouth of Rush Creek in Lake Conroe, along side Unit 2 traveling in the same direction. Unit 1 accelerated to a high speed and began making several extended long turns in a circular motion to the front and rear of Unit 2. Unit 1 operator reports that as he came out of a turn he did onserve Unit 2 and he struck the number 2 vessel.

Officer Report.


BARDID: TX-2012-0068
Date: 2012-06-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0680 SOMERVILLE
NearestCityTown: Somerville
County: 026 BURLESON
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
AccidentCause2: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
Operator was trying to make a turn when he struck a wake causing occupant to lose her balance and she tried to hold on but couldn't and she fell off and struck the side of the pwc with her head.


BARDID: TX-2012-0069
Date: 2012-06-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2050 BASTROP BAY
NearestCityTown: Angleton
County: 020 BRAZORIA
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On June 9, 2012 at approximately 08:00 pm, I, Texas Game Warden, arrived on the scene of a boating accident in Bastrop Bayou. After interviewing each individual aboard vessel 1, including the owner/operator, Operator, I determined the accident was caused by the inexperience of the owner/operator. Operator stated that they were navigating down stream at approximately 20-25 mph, and approaching a slight curve in Bastrop Bayou, when a much larger vessel passed them heading up stream. He stated that the vessel produced such a large wake, that when they hit the wake, it caused the steering of vessel 1 to lock up for a moment sending them into the bank. I found each passenger's story to be similar on how the accident occured. Upon taking photos of vessel 1, I found 1 alcoholic beverage aboard, the throttle lever to be in the reverse position, and the steering of the motor to be turned slightly away from the bank. All required safety equipment was aboard vessel 1 upon inspecting the contents. Two individuals on board, ages 6 and 17, were wearing their pfd's at the time of the accident. Operator was the only person injured beyond first aid aboard the vessel. He was taken by ambulance to the Angleton/Danbury Hospital, treated and release. Operator suffered a broken rib and had a few bumps and bruises.


BARDID: TX-2012-0072
Date: 2012-06-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 04:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1244 GUADALUPE RIVER
NearestCityTown: Gonzales
County: 089 GONZALES
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: None
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Sudden medical condition
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
Operator said the victim had not been paddling for the last twenty miles.  Operator felt that victim had drunk too much water.  Operator stopped next to shore to rest and victim fell overboard when operator shoved off.  Victim went to the bottom of the river (about 4 feet) and operator swam down and recovered him.  Operator said victim was underwater no longer than 15 seconds.  Operator pulled victim to shore and called 911.  Deputies and EMS responded and treated victim in ambulance.  After about thirty minutes, victim transferred to helicopter and flown to hospital in San Antonio.  Bexar County Medical Examiner had not made a final determination of death as of the writing of this report.  BCME waiting for prior medical records and history of victim before making a determination of the cause and manner of death.  Victim passed away more than twenty-four hours after incident. Victim suffered from heart failure due to dehydration.


BARDID: TX-2012-0073
Date: 2012-05-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Austin
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was jumping waves with a rented vessel when they struck one wrong and were thrown from the Vessel. Both occupants were picked up and transported to EMS on shore. The Operator was transported to the hospital for a broken femer and admitted to having 3 shots of vodka before operating.


BARDID: TX-2012-0074
Date: 2012-05-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:17:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0192 CONROE
NearestCityTown: Montgomery
County: 170 MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
RedactedNarrative:
The Driver of Vessel 1 was attempting to dock the vessel when he accidentally shifted the boat into forward gear causing the vessels bow to go underneath the dock. The injured party was sitting in the bow seat and was pinned between the boat and the dock. The injured party was transported to the hospital were it was determined she had broken ribs.


BARDID: TX-2012-0075
Date: 2012-06-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0192 CONROE
NearestCityTown: Montgomery
County: 170 MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
Victim was tubing behind Vessel 1 and fell from the tube. Vessel 1 pulled up to the victim and in the process of pulling her from the water back into the boat her feet made contact with the propeller. The victim recieved lacerations and broken bones to her feet.


BARDID: TX-2012-0076
Date: 2012-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:34:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Lago Vista
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was heading up river and vessel 2 was heading down river. Both operators indicated they saw that they were in a head on course with each other and as they continued closer both tried to make turns to avoid a collision but both were mirroring each others turn. Immediately before the collision Vessel 2 made a sharp left turn and Vessel 1 made a sharp right turn. Both vessels collided throwing vessel 2 occupants into the water. An occupant from vessel 2 was airlifted to the local hospital for her injuries.  She was struck by V1.


BARDID: TX-2012-0077
Date: 2012-05-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 04:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1751 OFFATS BAYOU
NearestCityTown: Galveston
County: 084 GALVESTON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Operaters narrative: Cruising at 45 to 50 with no signs of problems. Front of boat submersed breifly. Possible rouge wave due to weather, filled the boat with water. Bilge pumps could not recover and boat sank. One person was ejected from the boat but was recovered.


BARDID: TX-2012-0078
Date: 2012-06-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:40:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0582 JOE POOL
NearestCityTown: Grand Prairie
County: 220 TARRANT
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was traveling south as it was exiting the no wake zone out of Lynn Creek Marina at Joe Pool Lake. According to the operator of Vessel 1, just as he was about to plane out, he saw another vessel approaching him. Vessel 1 swerved to the starboard side and the two collided.

The collision was to the port side of vessel 1 and starboard side of vessel 2. Both vessels stopped after the collision. The operator of vessel 2 then began to curse at the occupants of vessel 1. He was yelling obscenities as he jumped into the water began to swim toward vessel 1. Once at vessel 1 the operator of vessel 2 boarded vessel 1 without a PFD and continued to curse and threatened them.

According to the passenger and driver of vessel 1, the subject saw that they were calling the police he went back into the water and onto his vessel and fled the scene. The Operator of vessel 2 was said to be intoxicated.


BARDID: TX-2012-0079
Date: 2012-06-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Jonestown
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Unit 2 was legally docked an unoccupied at North Shore Marina. Unit 1 was operating and attempting to dock next to Unit 2. Unit 1 failed to control vessel with wind to stern. Unit 1 struck Unit 21 with its bow causing damage to the left rear hull of Unit 2.

Investigator with Lower Colorado River Authority report.


BARDID: TX-2012-0080
Date: 2012-06-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:10:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0192 CONROE
NearestCityTown: Conroe
County: 170 MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
AccidentCause3: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/Swamping
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was traveling in the main lake area when the operator made a hard right turn striking the wake of another vessel and partically submerging throwing the operator of the watercraft. The operator sustained dislocated right shoulder and back injury.


BARDID: TX-2012-0081
Date: 2012-06-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2321 TAYLOR LAKE (GALV. BAY)
NearestCityTown: Pasadena
County: 101 HARRIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Failure to vent
AccidentCause3: Ignition of Spilled Fuel or Vapor
MachineryFailure: Engine
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Person Departed Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 had 5 occupants and was out innertubing when the throttle stopped working properly and the engine was cutting on and off. The operator was able to restart the motor after a short period of rest but the engine compartment door blew off and the engine was englufed in fire.  All occupants of the vessel quickly jumped overboard and were picked up by a passing vessel. Vessel 1 burned to the water line before it was extinguished.


BARDID: TX-2012-0082
Date: 2012-06-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0379 INKS
NearestCityTown: Buchanan Dam
County: 150 LLANO
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On June 30, 2012 at approximately 3:45 pm the family were unloading their jet ski at a private boat ramp on Inks Lake. Operator, age 21 and diagnosed with autism but  classified as highly-functional, was sitting on the jet ski at the bank and waiting for her sister. The jet ski drifted from the shoreline due to the wind. Operator started the vessel and began to maneuver it at normal headway speed. She found herself about 100 yards from the boat ramp and among some rocks. She then accelerated the jet ski up on plane and headed toward several covered boat slips. She did not attempt to release the throttle or swerve to avoid collision. The bow of the jet ski struck a corner support pole (3 inch diameter) of a boat dock/slip, slightly off-center. This point of impact caused a six inch deep rip into the hull. Operator was thrown at impact into the outboard motor of a pontoon boat that was hanging in a slip. She suffered severe head trauma especially to her nose, cheek bones and lost most of her front upper and lower teeth. She sustained a laceration on her right scalp above the right ear and three lacerations to her right leg from impacting the prop. The jet ski had spun port side and wedged under the pontoon boat. Operator was in the water without a PFD and unconscious. She was tended by her father and sister within seconds and placed on the docks lower platform. EMS and Parks & Wildlife emerged on scene within 10 minutes of the accident.


BARDID: TX-2012-0083
Date: 2012-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:29:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0124 BUFFALO SPRINGS
NearestCityTown: LUBBOCK
County: 152 LUBBOCK
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On Wednesday, July 4, 2012, just before 5:29 PM, a personal watercraft collided with a recreational motorboat on Buffalo Springs Lake.  Eight (8) people were involved, four (4) sustained injuries.

Vessel 1 was a 1999 Kawasaki 1100STX personal watercraft, red in color, with Texas Registration number TX 1117 JE and Hull Identification Number KAW13231K899.  The vessel belongs to an individual who was not present at the time of the accident.

Vessel 2 was a 1983 Bayliner Capri outboard motorboat, tan and white in color, with Texas Registration Number TX 2393 BH and Hull Identification Number BLIJ75CR06833.  The vessel belongs to an individual who was not present at the time of the accident.

On Wednesday, July 4, 2012, just before 5:29 pm, Operator1 was driving Vessel 1 and Operator2 was driving Vessel 2 around the east side (also known as the fast side) of Buffalo Springs Lake.  Operator1 had two passengers onboard the vessel.  Operator2 had two passengers onboard the vessel, and two passengers being pulled in a tube behind the vessel.

Operator2 was heading west operating Vessel 2 in a wavy pattern, typical of pulling tubes, and was beginning a wide turn to the left.  Operator1 was heading north/northwest operating Vessel 1 in a semi-perpendicular course to Operator2 to the left of Vessel 2.  Both vessels were on plane.  As Vessel 2 began its turn, Vessel 1 continued in the same direction.

Operator1 stated Vessel 2 suddenly appeared just before the collision.  She tried to steer around the back end of the vessel to avoid a collision, unaware of the tube being pulled by Vessel 2.  V2 occupant was sitting on the back left corner of Vessel 2 watching the tubers and was unaware of Vessel 1 until the collision.

Operator1, and two passengers were thrown from the personal watercraft.  Operator1 stated she was thrown over the handlebars and landed next to the motor of Vessel 2.  V2 occupant jumped from Vessel 2 after the collision and started to swim toward the two tubers to make sure they were okay.  Another V2 occupant also jumped into the water from Vessel 2 to assist with those in the water.

V2 occupant was picked up by another personal watercraft and taken to another vessel for transport.  He stated his right ribs were hurting.  Operator1, and two occupants were brought on board the Game Warden vessel to transport to shore.  Operator1 was in a lot of pain, any movements hurt her right shoulder and right leg near the hip.  The other two on V1 had abrasions and contusions on their right arms.  EMTs had to cut Operator1’s life jacket off prior to treatment.

All injured were transported to shore where they were treated by EMTs and Operator1 and V1 occupant were transported to University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas, by ambulance, and V2 occupant was transported to Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas, by ambulance. Another V1 occupant refused treatment beyond first aid.

University Medical Center ran blood tests on Operator1 at 6:47 pm on July 4, 2012.  Alcohol levels were 10 mg/dL (0.01 BAC).

All operators and passengers were wearing Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices.

Game Warden are the investigating officers.

Charges Pending


BARDID: TX-2012-0084
Date: 2012-07-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0124 BUFFALO SPRINGS
NearestCityTown: LUBBOCK
County: 152 LUBBOCK
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On July 1, 2012, at approximately 5:00 pm, Operator was operating his vessel on the fast side of Buffalo Springs Lake.  His son was sitting in the bow of the boat, holding onto the right rails and eating chips.  Victim reached for some more chips at the same time the vessel was hit on the right side by a big wake.  Victim lost his grip on the rail and was thrown across the front of the vessel where he collided with the corner of the windshield on the left side of the vessel.  

Victim sustained a large bruise on his left cheek which swelled immediately.  Victim received treatment at the Marina by EMTs, then was transported to University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas, for further evaluation.

All passengers were wearing PFDs prior to incident.  No citations issued.


BARDID: TX-2012-0087
Date: 2012-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0587 PLACID
NearestCityTown: Seguin
County: 094 GUADALUPE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 2 (Ski Boat) was heading up river on the right side of the river.  Vessel 1 (PWC) was trying to pass the ski boat.  There were boats coming down river on the left side causing the PWC to get close to the ski boat.  As the PWC was trying to pass, the ski boat made a sudden left hand turn.  The PWC did not have enough room and/or time to stop.  The PWC hit the ski boat on the port side bow causing fiberglass damage to both vessels.  Operator of the ski boat stated that as soon as she turned, she saw the PWC and immediately threw the boat into reverse stopping the forward motion if the boat.  PWC operator stated that the ski boat was still moving forward at the time of impact.  PWC operator also stated that he could not avoid the ski boat because the boat turned right in front of him.  Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the accident.  The PWC operator was wearing a PFD at the time of the accident.


BARDID: TX-2012-0089
Date: 2012-07-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:40:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0301 LEWISVILLE
NearestCityTown: Lake Dallas
County: 061 DENTON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Operator2 was watching a personal watercraft race and once the race was over; he hopped onboard one of the pwc that was sitting near shore and took off across the lake. He struck a pwc while it was anchored out about 15 yards from shore. Operator2 ran into the back of the pwc causing significant damage to the back right side of the pwc and chipping the pwc he was riding on. Operator2 did not wear a pfd while he was out riding the pwc.


BARDID: TX-2012-0090
Date: 2012-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0501 MEXIA
NearestCityTown: Mexia
County: 147 LIMESTONE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Alcohol
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Operator1 admitted to having 3 beers earlier that afternoon.  The best recall Operator11 had of the accident was that he and the operator of Vessel 2 were doing doughnuts when they collided. 
The operator of Vessel 2, admitted to having 2 beers earlier that afternoon.  Operator2 said that the two vessels had stopped side by side both facing the same direction talking to each other.  Operator2 said that Vessel 1 was on his left hand side and Vessel 1 accelerated forward and turned to the right in front of him.  Operator2 said that he assumed Vessel 1 had continued on a path away from him.  Operator2 then accelerated forward and Vessel 1 turned left back in front of him and he hit Vessel 1.
There were no other witnesses to the accident.


BARDID: TX-2012-0091
Date: 2012-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:18:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2180 GALVESTON BAY
NearestCityTown: San Leon
County: 036 CHAMBERS
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: People on Gunwale, Bow, or Transom
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
The following information was compiled from statements taken from three people:  On the afternoon of July 4th, victim and Subject left Subject’s and proceeded to the  Top Water Grill, where they were joined by Operator and his wife at approximately 2:00 pm.  This was the first time operator and wife had met Victim.  According to Subject and Operator, the group had lunch and a few alcoholic beverages.     
From the Top Water Grill restaurant all four preceded to Subject’s residence where they spent a short period socializing and according to Operator, having another alcoholic beverage.  Operator stated that Victim brought up the issue that he (Victim) owned a boat and that Victim asked Operator if he would like to go for a boat ride.  Victim and Operator proceeded to Victim’s residence.  From there, they departed from Victim’s residence in Victim’s boat, a 1998 22ft Glacier Bay, Texas registration number, TX 1602 BR.  According to Operator, the two travelled by boat from Victim’s residence,  to a second restaurant, Latitudes.  Operator stated that they had another alcoholic beverage at the restaurant, Latitudes.  
From there, the two were on their way back to Victim’s residence (traveling south from Kemah) when,  Victim slowed the vessel to an idle speed to urinate.   Victim stepped to the rear of the vessel, at which time Operator (standing at the controls of the vessel) looked away or towards the bow of the vessel.  When Operator turned around and looked back towards the stern of the vessel, Victim was gone.  Operator stated that he did not hear a splash nor did he see Victim in the water.  In an effort to determine whether Victim was committing a prank or some form of a joke, Operator contacted Subject by cell phone.  Subject advised Operator that this was no joke, at which time Operator called 911.  

The Galveston County Sheriff’s office received a 911 call from the cell phone of Operator  at 6:18 p.m. and the Coast Guard was notified by the Sheriff’s office at 6:22 p.m.  Operator  continued to look for Victim until Subject (with the assistance from a neighbor) arrived at the location of the incident in Neighbor’s vessel.  According to Neighbor, the location where they searched for Victim was the bay waters north of Eagle Point, adjacent to 12th-14th St, ¼ mile off the shoreline.  The Galveston County Sheriff’s marine division, U.S. Coast Guard and TPWD Game Wardens responded to the location and initiated a search for Victim.  Victim’s vessel, Operator and Subject were escorted to Eagle Point Marine, San Leon where they were both questioned about the incident.  According to Petty Officer  USCG, Victim’s body was located at approximately 7:39 p.m., at GPS coordinates N 29 30.302 / W 094 54.379, Galveston Bay Chambers County.  From that location, the USCG transported Victim’s body to the Eagle Point Marina, San Leon, where medical personnel continued administering CPR.  At approximately 7:59 p.m., Victim was pronounced deceased.  
The standard field sobriety tests were administered to Operator, at which time Operator displayed signs of intoxication.  Operator was transported to Mainland Center Hospital where a sample of his blood was secured for toxicology testing.  
An inventory of the vessel, TX 1602 BR was secured and detailed photographs taken.  No alcoholic containers were discovered nor were there any signs of blood found.  According to Operator, Subject and Neighbor, no items were removed from the vessel prior to the inspection conducted by the Game Wardens.


BARDID: TX-2012-0092
Date: 2012-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0118 BUCHANAN
NearestCityTown: Bluffton
County: 150 LLANO
WaterConditions: Very Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
This vessel was swamped and capsized in 40+ mile an hour winds. One child under 13 years of age was on board and wearing a PFD as mandated by state law. All four occupants climbed on the capsized hull until they were rescued. One passenger had his cell phone and kept it dry enough to call 911.


BARDID: TX-2012-0093
Date: 2012-07-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2180 GALVESTON BAY
NearestCityTown: Galveston
County: 084 GALVESTON
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
AccidentCause2: Equipment failure
EquipmentFailure: Auxiliary
OtherEquipmentFailure: bilge
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On July 6, 2012 approximately 0730 hrs, the vessel TX-6325-FS and five passengers left the Galveston Yacht Basin in Galveston County on their way to the North and South Jetties for a morning fishing trip.  The operator of the vessel was identified.  After several hours of fishing, the group returned to the Galveston Channel.   According to statements from the passengers, the operator had to leave to go on an offshore fishing trip that day.   Operator advised Subject (new operator) that he could take the boat and continue fishing for the rest of the day.  At approximately 13:30 hrs, while operating the vessel, TX-6325-FS, Subject (new operator) led his party back out into Galveston Channel to continue fishing.  At approximately 14:00 hrs the vessel started to take on water through the transom.  Subject (new operator) attempted to turn on the bilge pump, but the pump did not work.  Subject (new operator) informed his party that they needed to untie the boat and try to operate the boat on plane in an effort to drain the water.  As the boat began to idle, more water started to fill it.  As the boat continued to take on water, it started to capsize.  occupant immediately grabbed the life jackets and told the other passengers to put them on and jump into the water.  It was then, that the boat capsized.  All the passengers then swam to shore.  Once at shore, a passing boat picked up the passenger and all where return to the Galveston Yacht Basin unharmed.  The recreational boat, TX-6325-FS, was towed to the Galveston Yacht Basin by the Galveston PD Marine Division.  There the boat was removed from the water.


BARDID: TX-2012-0094
Date: 2012-07-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0680 SOMERVILLE
NearestCityTown: Somerville
County: 239 WASHINGTON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
RedactedNarrative:
Subject was tying front of boat to a dead tree while the operator was idling the rear of the boat to another tree. The rear of the boat bumped into the dead tree breaking off a limb which fell and struck victim in the head, neck, and shoulder area and pinned him between the tree and boat. subject was life flighted to St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan. He was released 4-5 hours later.


BARDID: TX-2012-0095
Date: 2012-07-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:41:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0434 LAVON
NearestCityTown: WYLIE
County: 043 COLLIN
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Force of wave/wake
AccidentCause3: Sharp turn
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 7/15/2012 vessel #1 operator was riding his friends jet ski within view from the swimming area of Collin Park, Lake Lavon. At the hospital, Operator stated that a wave hit him causing him to go in the to the handlebars of the jet ski.  Operator had injuries to his stomach and groin area.  Operator said that he did not consume any alcohol and no one else was involved.  There were no witnesses to the accident.

Operator was transported to The Medical Center of Plano where he received emergency surgery for his injuries.

According to witnesses on the shoreline, they did not see Operator until he rode back on the jet ski to the swimming area and asked for them to call 911 for help.

The jet ski sustained damage to the handlebars.  One side appeared to be bent.  There appeared to be no other visible or detectable damage to the jet ski.


BARDID: TX-2012-0096
Date: 2012-06-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0152 CEDAR CREEK (LAKE)
NearestCityTown: Gun Barrel City
County: 107 HENDERSON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
Victim was being pulled on a tube.  Victim fell off tube and was in the process trying to untangle the tow rope that had became tangled in ladder attached to vessel.  Victim asked Operator if vessel was in neutral and Operator said yes.  As Victim approached vessel and tried to untangle tow rope he stated that it felt like his leg was sucked into the prop.  Victim sustained a laceration to his leg near the calf muscle.


BARDID: TX-2012-0097
Date: 2012-07-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0379 INKS
NearestCityTown: Burnet
County: 027 BURNET
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
RedactedNarrative:
While riding a tube being towed by Vessel 1, Victim fell off, coming in contact with water, complained of internal and back injuries.  Victim was taken to shore, operator called 911.  Victim was flown to Seton Hospital in Round Rock, TX for medical care.


BARDID: TX-2012-0098
Date: 2012-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0301 LEWISVILLE
NearestCityTown: Lewisville
County: 061 DENTON
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Victim and wife were traveling west from Eagle Point Marina Gas Dock to Hickory Creek Park. While en route, a line of strong thunderstorms moved in, creating large waves from the high winds. Conditions got worse as they made their way west, and approximately a half mile east of the I-35E bridge both occupants were tossed from the vessel. subjcet was able to make it to the south shorline closest to Tower Bay but the victim was overcome by the waves and drowned about 30-40 yards north of the shore that subject swam too. When we arrived on scene, the vessel was on shore, still in gear and the key in the on position, but the engine was off due to the fact that there was approximately a foot of water in the vessel, covering the battery. We also found 3 PFD's in the vessel that would have been in arms reach of the victim and the other passenger.


BARDID: TX-2012-0099
Date: 2012-07-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 6055 INTRACOASTAL CANAL
NearestCityTown: SURFSIDE
County: 020 BRAZORIA
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Excessive speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
VESSEL 1 WAS TIED UP ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DOCK WITH NO PERSONS ON BOARD.  OPERATOR OF VESSEL 2 WITH PASSENGER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL UP TO THE DOCK. THE CURRENT WAS PUSHING HIS BOAT TO THE STARBOARD SIDE AND HE ACCELERATED ON THE THROTTLE TO AVOID HITTING HIS MOTOR AGAINST ANOTHER BOAT TIED TO THE DOCK. WHEN HE ACCELERATED HIS BOAT WENT  TO THE LEFT AND WENT OVER THE DOCK AND HIT THE STERN OF VESSEL 1


BARDID: TX-2012-0100
Date: 2012-07-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0379 INKS
NearestCityTown: Buchanan Dam
County: 150 LLANO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: None
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Sharp turn
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Both vessel 1 and vessel 2 were operating within the wake/wash of a ski boat pulling a wake boarder. This was observed by a witness in that boat. Vessel 1 was slightly behind and on the port side of vessel 2, according to the operator and passenger of vessel 2, when vessel 1 turned right and at the same time vessel 2  veered to the left. Vessel 1 crossed the path of vessel 2 and vessel 2 struck the jet ski on it's starboard side. The passenger of vessel 2 reacted by jumping/diving/falling off the jet ski prior to impact. She was wearing her PFD. Vessel 2 ramped up on vessel 1 striking Operator1 on his right leg, shattering his knee and then contacting his mid-section/chest. Operator1 was thrown from his jet ski into the water. His lanyard was attached to his PFD. Operator1 was operating the jet ski with the "beginner's key" which limited his speed. Operator2 was able to stay on his jet ski. Operator2 saw that Operator1 was in the water, face down and not moving. He jumped in the lake and swam to Operator1. He was able to manuever Operator1 and hold him so his head was out of the water. He could hear Operator1 moaning. The witness boat had turned around to assist and was able to get Operator1 on board their vessel and call 911. Witness’s husband began to administer CPR and stopped after Operator1 was semi conscience. They transported him to a private campground facility off Roadrunner Lane where he was tended by EMS. Operator1 was air-lifted to Dell Children's Hospital in Austin.


BARDID: TX-2012-0101
Date: 2012-07-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 6055 INTRACOASTAL CANAL
NearestCityTown: Hitchcock
County: 020 BRAZORIA
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Congested waters
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 7-13-12 at approximately 8:45pm I, Texas Game Warden, was dispatched to vessel 1 that ran aground in the Intra-Coastal Canal, near Alligator Point. Upon arriving at vessel 1, I observer the vessel with only its keel and engine propellers touching the water, but did not observe any visible damage to the vessel. Operator, the operator of vessel 1, stated that he and his girlfriend, Occupant, were cruising the Intra-Coastal Canal back to Kemah, when they observed several barges in the channel in their path of navigation. Operator stated that he radioed to the captain of one barges in front of them, asking which side the captain would like them to navigate on to pass the barges. Operator stated that he never received a reply from the barge captain. Operator passed the barge on its port side, which made vessel 1 exit the channel markers lining the Intra-Coastal Canal. Immediately upon exiting the channel markers, vessel 1 ran aground, according to Operator. Upon running aground, Occupant was launched forward hitting her head on the dash area, falling through the companionway, and landing on the floor of the cabin in vessel 1. Occupant was knock unconscious and was lifted by USCG helicopter to UTMB in Galveston, Texas. Occupant suffered a concussion, bruises, and a sprained arm. Occupant was the only person injured beyond first aid on vessel 1. The vessel was equipped with proper water safety equipment.


BARDID: TX-2012-0102
Date: 2012-07-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:50:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0590 POSSUM KINGDOM
NearestCityTown: Graford
County: 182 PALO PINTO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Tuesday
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
Victim was operating a 1996 Polaris PWC in a circular pattern victim was ejected from the PWC and began swimming to shore. His wife witnessed the event; she boarded an aluminum fishing boat and went to his aid. Upon reaching him she found him face down unresponsive. She pulled him to shore and began CPR. Two subjects assisted her with CPR and 911 were notified. Possum Kingdom Eastside EMS responded and made transport. Victim was transported to Palo Pinto General Hospital located in Mineral Wells Texas. Victim was pronounced at 10:51 PM autopsy pending. Victim was not wearing a personal floatation device.

Summary from BAR report submitted by Brazos River Authority


BARDID: TX-2012-0103
Date: 2012-07-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0519 MURVAUL
NearestCityTown: Gary,TX
County: 183 PANOLA
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On July 14,2012 at approximately 6:00 PM, operator of the pontoon boat (Vessel 1), stated he and guest were returning to the boat ramp at a speed of approximately 5 mph to head home for the evening when they noticed a ski boat heading their way at a high rate of speed.  Operator1 and guest began yelling trying to get the ski boat occupants attention, but no one was looking their way.  Operator1 said the ski boat came across the port side in the middle of the pontoon boat completely riding up and over the boat destroying most of the interior.  
operator of the ski boat (Vessel 2), stated he never saw the pontoon boat because he was looking towards the rear of the ski boat while pulling a wakeboarder.  The remaining occupants on the ski boat also stated that they were watching the wakeboarder and that no one was looking in the direction they were traveling.  The occupants of the ski boat reported no injuries.
passenger on the pontoon boat complained of neck pain and Operator1 complained of a bump that he received on his head.  However both declined treatment once EMS arrived at the scene.


BARDID: TX-2012-0104
Date: 2012-07-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0451 LIVINGSTON
NearestCityTown: Coldspring
County: 204 SAN JACINTO
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 22 July, 2012, at about 12:00 PM, a jet ski accidentally struck swimmer in the face, near an area of Lake Livingston known as "Pine Island." Witnesses who saw the event stated operator was trying to splash them with the PWC and got too close; striking swimmer in the face. 
Swimmer was flown to Memorial Hermann hospital and was discharged shortly with a concussion.


BARDID: TX-2012-0105
Date: 2012-07-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0319 GRANGER
NearestCityTown: Granger
County: 246 WILLIAMSON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
AccidentEvent1: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On July 20,2012 Texas Game Warden was advised by U.S. Core of Engineer Park Ranger (CESWF-OD-C-GA-2011-010) that a boat accident had occurred on 7/16/2012 in Lake Granger.  Warden followed up and spoke to operator.  

On July 16, 2012 at approximately 6:30p.m., Operator was operating a Yamaha Waverunner (TX: 8835 HV) in Lake Granger in Williamson County.  Operator was going approximately 20mph and heading towards camp at the Wilson Fox Park.  There was other boat traffic that day and that caused the waves to be choppy.  Operator stated he turned and at the same time jumped a wake.  Then when he landed, a second wake made contact with the front of the P.W.C.. That made the P.W.C. go under water and kicked up the back of the P.W.C. to hit Operator's buttocks. That caused Operator to hit the water and float till his family rescued him.  Operator was wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approve life jacket during the accident.    
Operator was attended by Williamson County EMS and Garnger Fire and Rescue.  There wasnt any damage to the P.W.C. However,  Operator was feeling suffering some pain on his back.  He was transported to Williamson County Seton Hospital.  

Operator suffered a crush L1 and crushed L2.  
No further information at this time.////////////


BARDID: TX-2012-0106
Date: 2012-07-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0255 DUNLAP
NearestCityTown: New Braunfels
County: 094 GUADALUPE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On July 21st at approximately 10:30, I Guadalupe County Game Warden received information from Comal County Game Warden regarding a boating accident hit and run that occurred earlier in the evening at  9:00p.m. on Lake Dunlap, public water right at the Comal/Guadalupe County lines.  Warden met with the complainant.  The following information was obtained by the complainant.

Operator2 was operating his boat with his navigation lights on Lake Dunlap, when a blue and white ski boat ran head on into his boat striking his front starboard side.  The blue and white ski boat was occupied by only the driver.  When Operator2 made contact with the operator of the blue and white ski boat, he realized the operator was extremely intoxicated.  Operator2 tried several times to get the operators name and phone number but was unsuccessful.  At the time, Operator2 took a picture of the operators registration number which read TX 5757 BB.  He also took a picture of the operator in the boat on the water with his Iphone.  At this point the operator of the blue and white boat became angry and tried to punch Operator2.  Operator2 was holding on to the side of the boat and urged the operator to take him to shore to trade information and inspect the damage.  Operator2 then told the operator he was calling the police.  At this time, the operator of the blue and white boat throttled up the boat and sped off, dragging Operator2.  The operator also tried to break Operator2's fingers to make him let go of the boat.  Operator2 estimated he was drug at least 100 yards on the lake and at times through some tree limbs over hanging on the bank.  Eventually Operator2 let go and sustained minor injuries to his right leg, and hip.  Warden gave me the registration number from Operator2's photo on his phone and I was able to identify the boat owner.  

I then drove to Operator1's address.  I met his wife outside and I told her I needed to speak with Operator1.  She said he had come in from a boat ride and went to bed.  I asked wife if we could go in and talk to him, and she gave me consent to come into the house.  Operator1 got out of bed and came outside and I questioned him about his boat ride.  It was very apparent that Operator1 was extremely intoxicated.  His speech was slurred and slow, and he continuously asked me why I was at his house.  Operator1 stated that he had been operating his boat on Lake Dunlap and had a confrontation with a man on a kayak.  Operator1 was very confused and very apologetic. Operator1 was not aware, and denied at first that he had been in a boat accident.  Wardens showed up and inspected Operator1s boat with  his permission.  They observed scratches on the starboard side of Operator1s boat consistent with Operator2's damage to his boat.  They also observed some tree limbs and leaves where it looked like Operator1 had ran under some tree limbs.  This is consistent with Operator2 stating that he was drug on the lake and through some tree limbs.   I asked Operator1 how many beers he had consumed and he stated he had four to five beers. I then performed standard field sobriety tests on the Operator1.  I observed six clues on HGN, six clues on Walk and Turn, and two clues on One Leg Stand.  I then read Operator1 his DIC 24 statutory warning, and placed him under arrest for suspicion of Boating While Intoxicated, and Assault Causing Bodily Injury.  I transported Operator1 to the Guadalupe County Jail and booked him on the above charges.


BARDID: TX-2012-0107
Date: 2012-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0622 RAY ROBERTS
NearestCityTown: Pilot Point
County: 061 DENTON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Congested waters
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was idling back from port side of dock while vessel 2 was also idling back from starboard side of dock in congested waters when a wind gust started to push vessel 2 towards the right causing the boat to turn and the back deck platform to puncture  the aft section of vessel 1 below the water line.   Neither operator knew there was damage until both boats were trailered.  Adverse weather conditions of unexpected high winds caused many boaters to attempt to trailer at the same time and the boat ramp area was very congested, as well as both parties involved in the accident impatient to dock.  No injuries were sustained, no alcohol was involved and no pfd's were worn.


BARDID: TX-2012-0108
Date: 2012-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0152 CEDAR CREEK (LAKE)
NearestCityTown: Payne, Springs
County: 107 HENDERSON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
RedactedNarrative:
On 7-7-12 and at approximately 8:30 p.m. Operator was operating his 28 ft. Pontoon boat on Cedar Creek Lake near Pinnacle Point.  Operator and the occupants of his vessel were leaving the air show on Cedar Creek Lake when they noticed there vessel was sinking.  Operator attempted to remove as much weight off the vessel in an attempt to keep the vessel from sinking.  They eventually got the vessel to a nearby dock and tied off the bow of the vessel.  The whole vessel was submerged under water except the portion that was secured to the dock.  After recovering the vessel several days later it was determined that the pontoons had several cracks in them and that caused the pontoons to fill up with water and begin to sink.  There were no injuries reported during this accident.


BARDID: TX-2012-0109
Date: 2012-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0143 CANYON
NearestCityTown: Hancock
County: 046 COMAL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday, July 7th, 2012 at approximately 8:15 PM, the owner and operator of a 2011, Red and White, Tahoe Ski boat, TX Registration 7965 BP was pulling two people on a tube behind the boat in the area of the cove at Potter’s Creek on Canyon Lake, public water, in Comal County, Texas when both riders fell from the tube in to the water.  Passengers were seated in the bow area of the boat watching the tubers.  

As Operator circled back around to pick up the two tubers, Victim somehow contacted the boat’s propeller which was in gear and his swim shorts got tangled in the propeller, pulling him in to it. When Operator heard shouting from the rear of the boat, he stopped, killed the motor, and ran and grabbed on to Victim to pull him out of the water, but Victim’s shorts remained tangled in the propeller.  Victim’s brother-in-law, who was in another boat nearby, jumped in to the water and assisted Victim with getting untangled from the propeller.  

Once he was freed, his brother-in-law transported Victim to shore in his boat where he administered first aid to a deep laceration on his left hip.  After assessing all of his injuries, Victim decided not call 911, because, at that time, he did not think his injuries were too serious.  Instead, his wife drove him to the North Central Baptist Hospital Emergency Room in San Antonio where he received further treatment.  

During the Incident, Victim sustained several external lacerations and severe bruising to his abdomen and legs.  He sustained a deep three inch laceration to his left hip which required eight staples to close.  Furthermore, his stomach muscles were torn which resulted in a blood clot which required he undergo more extensive treatments and a prolonged stay in the hospital.  Neither Victim nor operator consumed any alcoholic beverages prior to or during the incident, and all persons involved were wearing a Coast Guard approved life jackets.


BARDID: TX-2012-0110
Date: 2012-05-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0600 RAY HUBBARD
NearestCityTown: ROCKWALL
County: 199 ROCKWALL
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
ON MAY 20, 2012 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:45 PM, VESSELS 1 AND 2 WERE DOCKED AT HARBOR BAY MARINA IN ROCKWALL TEXAS. VESSEL WAS FINISHED FUELING AT THE GASOLINE PUMP STATION AND ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE MARINA.  Operator3 WAS OPERATING VESSEL 3 WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE THE MARINA. HE GAVE TOO MUCH THROTTLE ON HIS VESSEL (3) AND LOST CONTROL THUS COLLIDING WITH VESSELS 1 AND 2 WHICH WERE DOCKED. THE VESSELS COLLIDED AND WERE PUSHED INTO THE DOCK. ALL VESSEL SUSTAINED DAMAGES BUT IN VARYING DEGREES. DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND TPWD GAME WARDENS WERE NOTIFIED.


BARDID: TX-2012-0111
Date: 2012-08-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:10:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0124 BUFFALO SPRINGS
NearestCityTown: LUBBOCK
County: 152 LUBBOCK
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
victim had been tubing and was climbing the ladder on the rear right of the vessel.  The driver had put the motor in neutral but had not turned the motor off.  Victim's left foot hit the propeller causing a laceration on the instep of his left foot, approximately three inches long.  Victim did not notice his injury until he lifted his foot out of the water and saw the blood.  911 was called.  

Victim meet Buffalo Springs Lake EMS at the marina where he was treated then transported by ambulance to University Medical Center, Lubbock, Texas.


BARDID: TX-2012-0112
Date: 2012-08-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0143 CANYON
NearestCityTown: Fischer
County: 046 COMAL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Alcohol
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
Boat was observed having been operated onto shore on the morning of 08/05/2012.  Arrive at location, in Potter's Creek Park at Canyon Lake, Texas, and begin investigation as to what happened.  At about 11:00 AM, boat owner / operator arrives at location identifies himself.  Operator explains how the accident occurred.  Operator and 3 family members and his girlfriend had dinner at a restaurant on Canyon Lake.  After departing the restaurant, he operated his boat west, headed back to Cranes Mill Park.   Operator stated that it was very dark that night with no moon.  Operator stated that his son was attempting to light the way with a handheld spotlight.  Operator stated his speed was about 15 mph.  Operator stated that he did not see the shore and drove his boat out of the water and up onto the rocky shore.  

Operator stated he had consumed possibly two alcoholic drinks prior to the accident.  Operator stated that no one onboard was injured.  Operator stated that a man came down from one of the campsites in Potter's Creek Park and offered them some assistance.  Attempts were made to push the boat back into the water.  These attempts were unsuccessful.  Operator stated that they decided to leave the boat on the shore.  The man offering assistance agreed to transport Operator and his party around the lake to Cranes Mill Park.  Prior to leaving the boat, the contents of an ice chest, about 18 beers and other items were removed from the boat and dumped in some brush and rocks about 75 feet from the boat.  No one, including Operator, contacted Law Enforcement or Emergency Services to report this accident.

When questioned about the circumstances by this Officer, Operator stated that there was no alcohol on the boat at the time of the accident.  Upon being confronted with his lie, Operator acknowledged that the dumped alcoholic beverages were onboard his boat at the time of the accident.

The man who offered Operator assistance after the accident stated that he believed that Operator and his son had had quite a bit to drink that evening.

Operator was issued a citation for Reckless / Neglegent Operation of a Vessel in Justice of the Peace Court Precinct 4 in Comal County, Texas.


BARDID: TX-2012-0113
Date: 2012-07-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:08:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0033 AUSTIN
NearestCityTown: Austin
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Force of wave/wake
AccidentCause2: Other
AccidentCause3: Excessive speed
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentEvent2: Collision with Recreational Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Victim was riding a water ski being towed by vessel #1 (Cobalt TX 2183 JJ).  Victim fell from the water ski in such a way that the ski came up and hit Victim in the face resulting in Victim started vomiting and became disoriented.  Operator1 then drove the boat at a high rate of speed in order to get Victim some medical attention.  While doing so, Operator1 struck Vessel #2 (Cobalt TX 3992 JS which was docked and unoccupied) while trying to dock vessel #1.  This event is related to Austin Police Department case #:122031331


BARDID: TX-2012-0114
Date: 2012-07-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Spicewood
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Tuesday
AccidentCause1: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
RedactedNarrative:
Operator of vessel was towing a float with two passengers onboard. The passengers on the float fell off after hitting a wake. The passengers bumped their heads together when they impacted the water. Passenger was treated and released at Seton Brackenridge Hospital. Passenger was checked at scene by EMS and released.


BARDID: TX-2012-0115
Date: 2012-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0368 HOUSTON
NearestCityTown: Atascocita
County: 101 HARRIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Other
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
RedactedNarrative:
fourteen year old victim was seated on the bow, starboard side of the vessel. As the vessel approached the bulk head she put her right arm out to stop the vessel from hitting the bulk head. Impact of the bulkhead caused the victims to break her arm.


BARDID: TX-2012-0116
Date: 2012-07-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:20:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Lago Vista
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Restricted vision
AccidentCause3: Excessive speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Victim was operating the PWC on Lake Travis alone. Video evidence located from the PWC showed the victim had been caught in a large thunderstorm and after dark. It appeared that after dark the victim attempted to navigate back to his home marina and because of lighting and weather ran the PWC into a rock embankment and a high rate of speed. The victim died from blunt force head trauma from his impact with the rock face. The PWC received heavy left front damage and was loacted floating 1 mile down stream approximatley 20 hours later. The discovery of the PWC prompted and air search that loacted the body of the victim still floating a few yards from the impact site.


BARDID: TX-2012-0117
Date: 2012-07-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0107 BRAZOS LAKE
NearestCityTown: Waco
County: 161 MCLENNAN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
I received a call about a boat accident at Lake Brazos.  I patrolled to the boat ramp and located 2 PWCs on shore.  Vessel # 2 had damage to the stern of the boat.  Vessel # 1 had damage to the bow.  Operator of Vessel # 1 was in the ambulance being examined.  Operator of Vessel # 2 was standing on shore and was not injured.  Both operators stated that they were turning and ran together.  Operator # 1 was transported to hospital with pain on her left side.


BARDID: TX-2012-0118
Date: 2012-07-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2330 TRINITY BAY
NearestCityTown: Baytown
County: 036 CHAMBERS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On July 14th, 2012 at approximately 6:30 pm. Game Warden received a call from Capt. about a boat accident that had occurred in Cedar Bayou, near Roseland Park boat ramp in Chambers County TX.  Warden arrived on scene at approximately 7:00 pm and spoke with the Baytown Fire Dept. to get updated on the situation.  Fire Depart told Warden that at approximately 4:30 pm a Jon boat with two occupants collided with another boat just south of the boat ramp.  The occupants of the Jon boat were ejected into the water and the other vessel fled the scene.  One of the occupants of the Jon boat had been picked up by another passing vessel, but the driver of the Jon boat was still missing.  
  The passenger had sustained injuries from the collision.  He had scrapes to his right cheek and on his upper right back.  He also complained of pain in his right arm.  Warden spoke with V1 occupant to ask him what had happened.  He stated that he and his friend arrived at the boat ramp at approximately 1:30 pm.  They launched V1 occupant’s Jon boat and headed north from the boat ramp with V1 occupant driving the vessel.  They drove north for some time then turned around and headed back towards the boat ramp.  When they neared the boat ramp, they switched drivers and Operator1 began operating the jon boat.  They continued to head south towards the railroad trestles.  Approximately ½ mile past the trestles there was a curve in the bayou.  As they went around this curve V1 occupant saw another vessel heading  towards them.  V1 occupant described this boat as a white, v- bottom boat with a blue pinstripe.  It had chrome railing up front that extended out.  V1 occupant stated that there were 2 individuals in the vessels- possibly a white man and a Hispanic man.   Operator1  veered to the left and  the other boat moved in the same direction as Operator1.  V1 occupant felt that Operator1 tried to move back to the right but by this time the distance between the two vessels had closed and the two vessels collided.  V1 occupant states that the next thing he knew he was under water.  When he came up he looked around and saw the boat they had collided with slow down and look back.  Once they saw V1 occupant they got back up on plane and fled the scene.  V1 occupant then looked around for Operator1, but was unable to find him.  V1 occupant then flagged down a passing vessel and told them what had happened.  This vessel picked V1 occupant up and returned him to the boat ramp.  After Warden spoke with V1 occupant he was taken to the hospital for medical treatment.


BARDID: TX-2012-0119
Date: 2012-08-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0622 RAY ROBERTS
NearestCityTown: Sanger
County: 061 DENTON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: None
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Tuesday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
I, Denton County Game Warden was notified by another officer that there had been boat accident on Lake Ray Roberts at approximately 10:25p.m. on 8-7-12.  As I arrived two subjects were being transported to Medical Center of Plano by Care flight.  Both subjects were passengers on the vessel at the time the accident happened.  Both subjects were ejected from the vessel at the time of impact.  One passenger had a serious laceration to his mid section (Injured victim) while the other sustained a tramatic head injury (Deceased victim). Deceased victim was located on the bow of the vessel just in front of the driver’s seat window and Injured victim was located on the bow as well.  At the time of the accident, the boat was on plane and ramped into the air after hitting the rock dam.  The vessel was located approximately 30-40 yards up onto the rock dam from the water line on its keel.  Deceased victim was laying on the rocks approximately 50 feet from the vessel up the dam closer to FM 455.  I was informed that there was a third subject wearing a green shirt and blue jeans in the back seat of a patrol deputy’s vehicle.  I identified him.  Operator had a very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, blood shot eyes, and slurred speech and was extremely uncooperative.  Operator had a very confused demeanor.  He was not sure of how many occupants were on his boat at the time of the accident.  He kept saying that there were four passengers and there was only three onboard.  Operator admitted to drinking alcoholic beverages and that he was the owner of the vessel (TX 1541 RB).  Operator stated that he was not operating the vessel at the time of the accident.  Operator had blood all over him but was not injured.  Operator refused all medical attention.   A statement was acquired from one of the passengers of the vessel that Operator was operating the vessel at the time of the accident.  The other subject, Deceased victim, was not capable of giving a statement.       
Operator refused to do any SFST’s but indicated intoxication.  Operator was asked for a sample of his blood and refused to give a specimen. A specimen was taken at 1:23 a.m. on 8-8-12 at Denton Regional Hospital for a mandatory blood draw due to serious bodily injury caused during the accident.  Operator was transported to Denton County Pre- Trial and booked in for Intoxication Assault with a vehicle (Serious Bodily Injury).


BARDID: TX-2012-0120
Date: 2012-08-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:51:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0143 CANYON
NearestCityTown: Canyon Lake
County: 046 COMAL
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 8-04-12 at approximately 11:51, Operator was driving his boat when another motorboat passed him at a high rate of speed. He saw the wake from the other boat and tried to head into it safely. Instead, the wake hit the boat at approximately a 45 degree angle and flipped the boat. Operator and Occupant fell out of the boat. The motor broke off of the boat and into the water; however, it was attached to a rope, so it continued running. Operator grabbed the side of the boat and was able to kill the motor with the kill switch on the steering handle. Occupant was cut on the top of the knee when he fell into the water. He was sent to the hospital and received seven stitches. Both individuals were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident and no alcohol was being used.


BARDID: TX-2012-0121
Date: 2012-08-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0680 SOMERVILLE
NearestCityTown: Somerville
County: 239 WASHINGTON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Person Departed Vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
operator was maneuvering vessel to the shoreline.  when shoreline was reached, injured child jumped from the back of the vessel before the operator disengaged the throttle, resulting in the child being caught in the propeller, lacerating her neck just below the chin.


BARDID: TX-2012-0122
Date: 2012-08-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0301 LEWISVILLE
NearestCityTown: Hickory Creek
County: 061 DENTON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
RedactedNarrative:
At approximately 6:30 pm, operator was operating her PWC, while pulling a tube that was occupied by victim, about 200 yards north of the Westlake Park boat ramp. Operator stated that victim was highly intoxicated and was wearing a PFD, but did not have it fastened correctly. At one point, victim fell off of the tube and upon impact of the water, the PFD came off of victim and he did not resurface. victim  was recovered the next morning, 8/12/12 by the Lewisville Fire Dept. Dive Team.


BARDID: TX-2012-0123
Date: 2012-08-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1992 G OF MEX OFF MATAG-SA- <
NearestCityTown: Port O'Connor
County: 158 MATAGORDA
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
The vessel was anchored with a bow line on the beach side of the Matagorda Peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico fishing the surf when a large wave or wake hit struck the vessel from the side causing the boat to capsize. Both occupants made it to the beach where they were picked up by USCG from Port O'Connor.


BARDID: TX-2012-0124
Date: 2012-08-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:42:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Jonestown
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
RedactedNarrative:
Jonestown PD took all the information for this collision. Subject stated he was unfamiliar with his new boat when he was on Lake Travis. Subject got nervous when headed towards a breakwater and jumped out before hitting the fixed object. Severe damage to all three pontoons.  There were no injuries.


BARDID: TX-2012-0125
Date: 2012-08-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0320 GRAPEVINE
NearestCityTown: Flower Mound
County: 061 DENTON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Alcohol
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
-On August 12, 2012, I, State Game Warden, received a phone call from Grapevine PD Dispatch advising me of a boat accident that had occurred on Grapevine Lake that involved a possible intoxicated driver and two seriously injured females that had been hit by a boat propeller.
-I responded to Dove Loop Boat Ramp where the vessel brought the injured females to receive medical assistance. Grapevine Fire Department and Police Department were already on scene and transported both injured females to the hospital for medical treatment. 
-After interviewing all witnesses/passengers of the vessel, TX 9708 BP, it was determined that the operator of the vessel had put the boat in reverse to pick up the swimmers. In doing so she backed over people which injured the two females. operator performed SFST's and was believed to be intoxicated and was arrested for Intoxication Assault (BAC is unknown at this time).


BARDID: TX-2012-0126
Date: 2012-07-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:42:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0466 LYNDON B. JOHNSON
NearestCityTown: Horseshoe Bay
County: 150 LLANO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 7/22/12 at approximately 1240 hrs., Operator2  and Operator1 were operating jet-skis in the Horseshoe Bay area of Lake LBJ.  Each had a passenger on the back of their Jet-Skis; Operator1 was following behind Operator2 as they crossed Horse Shoe Bay.  Operator2 hit rough water, decelerated and turned towards the left crossing into the path of Operator1.  Operator1 let off the throttle and in doing so loss the ability to steer his jet ski around Operator2's. the front of Operator1's jet ski collided with the left rear of Operator2's jet ski and ramped over it. in doing so the rear passenger on Operator2's jet ski, was also struck and knocked off the jet-ski into the water.  Passenger had extensive head trauma and was flown to Dell Childrens Hospital in Austin whre he is undergoing treatment for his injuries.


BARDID: TX-2012-0128
Date: 2012-08-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0014 AMISTAD
NearestCityTown: Del Rio
County: 233 VAL VERDE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Missing or Inadequate Navigation Aids
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
On 08/24/12 Vessel 1 was operating at approximately 1/4 to 1/2 throttle (10-20mph) eastbound on Amistad Reservoir in Val Verde County, near Del Rio, TX.  Vessel 1 crossed under the Hwy 277 Bridge and continued eastbound and struck the old Hwy 277 Bridge, which is submerged underwater at this time.  Vessel 1 struck the edge of the bridge and drove up onto the deck of the bridge coming to rest. The operator of the vessel exited the vessel and pushed the vessel off of the bridge deck and returned to land.  It is important to note that the International Boundary Water Commission has continued to let quantities of water out of the dam causing lake levels to recede quickly, exposing new boating hazards.


BARDID: TX-2012-0130
Date: 2012-08-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0680 SOMERVILLE
NearestCityTown: Somerville
County: 239 WASHINGTON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Missing or Inadequate Navigation Aids
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
Boat was run aground on a submerged road bed approximately 150 yards from the shoreline. There were no navigational markers marking the reef. There were no injuries.


BARDID: TX-2012-0132
Date: 2012-08-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 04:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2111 CLEAR LAKE (GALV. BAY)
NearestCityTown: Seabrook
County: 101 HARRIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: None
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Inadequate onboard navigation lights
AccidentCause2: Restricted vision
AccidentCause3: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Boat 1 at anchor was struck by Boat 2.  Operator2 estimated that his speed was approximately 30 - 35 MPH.  

Both, Owner1 and Operator2 agree that Operator2's boat had the required navigation lights.  Operator2 stated that Owner1 did not have his required anchor light on while at anchor.  Owner1 stated that he was having trouble with his lights after previously being struck by lightning but thought they were working at the time of the accident.  When the first responders arrived from Seabrook Fire Department, Owner1's lights were not operational and the switch had to be manipulated to get the lights on.

In Owner1's statement he stated that Operator2 left the scene when he attempted to call for help on his VHF radio.  Owner1 also stated that he observed after the accident that Operator2's boat was circling and unmanned.  Apparently Operator2 was thrown into the windshield and reappeared to take control of his vessel.  Owner1 reported that Operator2 was incoherent or dazed from the impact.  Owner1 also reported that Operator2 "kept telling me" that he was bleeding and that his dog was in the water.  At this point, Operator2 left the scene.

In Operator2's statement he stated he feared that his boat was sinking and that he needed to get the boat back to his slip.  He stated that after the impact, he was very confused.  He also stated that he was very distraught about his missing dog.  Operator2 claimed that he lost track of time due to his head injury.  In his statement, Operator2 stated that once he "came to" he returned to the scene to look for his dog and the boat he struck.  He also stated that he had "every intention" to take care of the damages to the other boat.

When myself and Game Warden arrived at the scene at approximately 7:30 a.m., we were met by Seabrook Fire Department.  They took us to the scene of the accident in their boat.  We interviewed Owner1 and then started our search for the other vessel.  As we approached a nearby marina, two Pasadena Police Officers were flagging us over.  They were with Operator2 at the shore.  Operator2 had returned to the scene of the accident looking for his dog and the boat that he struck.  He was confused and pointing at two sailboats that are usually anchored in the lake.  Operator2 had two very large lacerations across his forehead and a black eye.  There was also lots of dried blood on his body.  The Pasadena Police Officers transported him back to the marina where his boat was slung. Myself and Warden returned to our vehicles and met Operator2 at his boat. 

When we arrived, Operator2 was being tended to in the back of an ambulance.  We went to his vessel and found severe starboard bow damage and lots of dried blood.  Operator2's vessel was not sea worthy at the time that we observed it.  

Operator2 was transported to St. John's Hospital for treatment.  He received 38 stitches in his forehead.

Operator2 was very distraught over his dog and its recovery was his main focus.  The Pasadena Police Officers stated that he did not care about his injuries and only wanted to find his dog.  The nurses at the hospital stated that he was very upset over the loss of his dog.  While myself and Warden were in the room emergency room with Operator2, he broke down and started crying over the possible loss of his dog.


BARDID: TX-2012-0133
Date: 2012-09-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:19:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0723 TEXOMA
NearestCityTown: Denison
County: 091 GRAYSON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Ventilation
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On or about Saturday, September 1, 2012, at approximately 2:19 pm, I, State Game Warden received a call from the Grayson County Sheriff's Office regarding a boat explosion at Grandpappy Marina, on Lake Texoma in Grayson County.  I arrived at the location and found a 30' 5" Chaparral fully engulfed in flames.  All passengers from the vessel had been evacuated and were receiving medical treatment from Denison Fire Department.  Marina workers towed the burning vessel to a nearby boat ramp where the fire department was able to access the vessel.  The vessel was a total loss due to the explosion and subsequent fire.  

On Wednesday, September 5, 2012, I travelled to the owner's residence to conduct the accident investigation.  I interviewed the owner/operator of the vessel.  Operator said that he and his family were headed to "Girl Scout Beach" for the Labor Day holiday, when they decided to get fuel at the Grandpappy Marina gas dock.  He said that there had not been any indicators of problems with the vessel earlier in the day.  After the vessel was fueled, Operator attempted to start it.  He said that the blowers were activated and appeared to be working.  He said the vessel would not start, so he let it sit for several minutes before attempting to start it again.  While he was waiting, he attempted to start the on board generator for the vessel.  The generator would not start on its first attempt.  Operator said that when he attempted to start the generator a second time, there was a massive explosion from the engine compartment.  Two people were thrown out of the vessel from the force of the explosion.  The operator was thrown down into the cabin, but was able to get out and off the vessel.  One other person was also injured due to the blast.  The other two occupants of the vessel were able to get off safely, with only minor injuries.  Four people were all transported to Texoma Medical Center in Denison, TX for treatment of their injuries.


BARDID: TX-2012-0134
Date: 2012-09-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:23:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0320 GRAPEVINE
NearestCityTown: Grapevine
County: 220 TARRANT
WaterConditions: Unknown
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentEvent2: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
This report is from the Corp of Engineers:

"At approximately 1800 hours, Grapevine Fire Department and EMS were dispatched to Scott's Landing Marina to respond to a female subject who was injured while operating her personal watercraft (TX6709AT). The caller stated that Operator1 was leaving the marina and just outside of the no wake zone when she hit a wave wrong causing her head to strike the handle bars on the PWC. This caused Operator1 to be ejected from the PWC, according to US Coast Guard Auxiliary patrolman. At this time, the mother was in a pontoon boat behind Operator1 and called Grapevine Dispatch regarding this accident. With the assistance of CGAux, Operator1 was loaded into the pontoon boat and taken to Scott's Landing Marina for medical attention. During this time, the patient began losing consciousness as a result of the incident. Based on the extent of her injuries, she was transported to Parkland Hospital in Dallas via Care Flight at approximately 1845 hours.
All parties were wearing life jackets and did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol."


BARDID: TX-2012-0135
Date: 2012-09-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:10:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1522 SAN BERNARD RIVER
NearestCityTown: Brazoria
County: 020 BRAZORIA
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
RedactedNarrative:
On 9-2-12 at approximately 1410 hours, I, Texas Game Warden, was dispatched to the San Bernard River boat ramp, southwest of Brazoria, TX, on Farm and Market 521. Upon arriving at the location, I separately interviewed (operator), and (passenger on tube, not injured.) Both individuals stated that they were navigating/tubing down the San Bernard River in vessel 1, when they approached a railroad trestle extended above the waterway, and a channel aligned with concrete/wooden pilings to allow vessels to pass through. As vessel 1 approached the channel, they observed two vessels headed up the San Bernard River. Operator allowed the two vessels to navigate through the channel first. After the channel was clear of all other vessel traffic, vessel 1 proceeded through the channel aligned with wooden/concrete pilings. The wakes/waves created by the two vessels headed up river caused the individuals, being towed on the tube, to be launched into the concrete/wooden pilings that align the channel. Operator and (passenger/observer) were on board vessel 1 when the accident occurred, and both stated that they were navigating through the channel at a prudent speed. Tuber1 was injured beyond first aid and was life-flighted to the hospital. Tuber2 was injured beyond first aid and was taken by ambulance to the local hospital. Tuber3 stated that she was not injured in the accident. All required water safety equipment was on board vessel 1.


BARDID: TX-2012-0136
Date: 2012-09-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0143 CANYON
NearestCityTown: STARTZVILLE
County: 046 COMAL
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday, September 8th at approximately 3:30 PM, operator, along with his two grandsons and his four friends, was operating his 2005 model, 24 foot VIP deck boat near the area of Cranes Mill Park and the mouth of the Guadalupe River on Canyon Lake, public water, in Comal County, Texas when an accident occurred that injured Friend2.  At approximately 5:00 PM, Comal County Game Warden was called to the scene to investigate the incident.  The following information was obtained during his investigation. 

According to the witnesses , Friend1 was positioned on the left, Grandson1 was in the center, and Friend2 was on the right side of the tube as they were being towed at approximately 20 mph behind the boat.  After approximately 5-10 minutes of riding, somehow their tube impacted the boat’s wake, or possibly another boat’s wake which caused Friend1 to fall off.  Off balance, the tube caught air on the side Friend1 was on and then flipped over throwing Friend2 and Grandson1 into the water.  Friend2 impacted the water face first.  When she resurfaced, Friend2 was lying face up and she was in severe pain.  Unable to move on her own, Friend2 called Friend1 over to assist her.  With Friend1 and operator’s help, Friend2 was pulled from the water and she was transported to the public boat ramp at Potter’s Creek.  EMS was contacted and arrived on scene and transported her by Airlife to University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas for her injuries.  Following the accident, U.S. Corp of Engineers Rangers responded to the scene and secured it until Game Warden arrived.  

Upon completing his investigation, Warden concluded that lifejackets were worn by all those on the tube during the accident.  He concluded that alcohol was not a contributing factor to the accident.  In addition to the tubers wearing their life jackets, the boat was equipped with all of the appropriate water safety equipment and it was currently registered as per state law.  No citations were issued to the operator or any of the passengers.


BARDID: TX-2012-0137
Date: 2012-07-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 00:27:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0192 CONROE
NearestCityTown: Montgomery
County: 170 MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
RedactedNarrative:
the operator of vessel #1 stated they left Papa's on the Lake proceeding west in Atkins Creek in route to their boat ramp off of Lakeway Dr. south of Hwy 105W. The driver stated he turned too early and went into the cove on the south side of Atkins Creek at the April Sound Subdivisions Aquatic Golf Driving Range.  He did not see the driving range and went over the cabling surrounding the driving range pulling it and all of the fencing and support pylons down. Then they left the area and were later located at the Lakeway Dr boat ramp on the south side of Hwy 105 W.

the bottom of the hull was later inspected and showed fresh scraped on the hull but there was no apparent damage to the lower unit. 

obtained from narrative of Officer, Montgomery Co Constable office report

Operator issused citation for BWI - Class A 7/14/2012 no other information given - no injuries listed in report submitted


BARDID: TX-2012-0138
Date: 2012-07-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:10:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 6055 INTRACOASTAL CANAL
NearestCityTown: Hitchcock
County: 084 GALVESTON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel #1 (58 foot Hatteras Yachtfish) was heading West in the ICW while Vessel #2 (Pushboat THOR) that was pushing two empty barges was heading East.  Each vessel made contact with each other on the VHF radio of notification to pass.  At the time the vessels were meeting each other and beginning to pass, the wind blew the two barges over and they struck the port side of the Vessel #1, and causing them to run aground.  This occurred at Mile Marker 363 approximately five miles West of the Galveston Causeway.  After Vessel #1 was able to get unstuck, it pulled up beside Vessel #2 and tied up to exchange information.  Vessel #1 made contact with the US Coast Guard and informed them of the accident and location.  US Coast Guard informed Vessel #1 to contact TPWD and notify of the accident as well.  No one was injured on either vessel and owners of Vessel #2 (Kirby Corp) was notified and sent surveyors to look at both crafts and assist damages to both.  operator of Vessel #1 met with surveyors from Kirby Corp. at Harbor Walk Marina on the morning of 07/27/2012 to assets damage on Vessel #1.  

No one suffered any injuries from this accident.


BARDID: TX-2012-0139
Date: 2012-08-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0192 CONROE
NearestCityTown: Conroe
County: 170 MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Force of wave/wake
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
narrative of events from report submitted: 
vessel #1 was traveling toward vessel #2. as operator vessel #1 slowed and released power to glide next to vessel #2 a rouge wake pushed vessel #1 into vessel #2. Vessel #1 struck vessel #2 in the starboard side aft area causing damage to fiberglass area just above the water line. (est. $2500)


BARDID: TX-2012-0140
Date: 2012-08-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:04:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0590 POSSUM KINGDOM
NearestCityTown: Graford
County: 182 PALO PINTO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
vessel #1 and vessel #2 were each traveling through the water together. Vessel #1 made an abrupt turn inot the path of vessel #2. Vessel #1 threw white water into the air and stalled in the water. Vessel #2 lost sight of vessel #1 due to the white water. Vessel #2 then struck and ramped over vessel #1. the operator of vessel #1 made contact with vessel#2 during the impact. the operator of vessel #1 was injured as a result of the impact.


BARDID: TX-2012-0141
Date: 2012-09-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0301 LEWISVILLE
NearestCityTown: Little Elm
County: 061 DENTON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Operator2 was waiting to load her vessel onto the trailer at the Little Elm public boat ramp when Operator1, pulling a tube, hit her on the port side of her vessel.  Operator2 said that she was hollering at him to stop and that she could not see him due to the bow of his vessel obstructing his view.  She said that he was looking behind him at the tube he was pulling.  Operator2 jumped out of the vessel that she was in to avoid contact.  Operator1's boat hit the port side of the vessel leaving a hole in the fiberglass and then slid back down into the water.  A passerby then came and retrieved Operator2 from the water who was not injured.  There were no equipment issues and life jackets were readily available aboard both vessels.  No alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident.  Insurance information was exchanged at the scene and Operator1 received a citation for Reckless Operation of a Motorboat (Class C).


BARDID: TX-2012-0142
Date: 2012-09-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 6055 INTRACOASTAL CANAL
County: 020 BRAZORIA
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Congested waters
AccidentEvent1: Collision with commercial vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 09/01/2012 at around 8:30 pm, it was reported that vessel 1, a 38ft fountain named Four Reel, was traveling east in the ICW and vessel 2, a pushboat named Dan L along with 2 barges, was heading west in the ICW.  The operator of vessel 1 claims that as they approached the ICW intersection in Chocolate Bay, the operator of vessel 2 was panning the ICW from side to side but aimed his spotlight directly at them a couple of times.  Vessel 1 then turned on his spotlight a couple of times indicating they had “limited visibility”, and that they “were approaching him”.  Vessel 1 reported that he turned on his spotlight and came off plane; vessel 2 turned on his spotlight and left it aimed at vessel 1.  The operator of vessel 1 claims that he could not see anything except for the light.  Then he claims that they went into the barge’s shadow and it was shortly after that when they realized that they were right in front of the barge and about to collide.  One of the occupants of vessel 1 yelled for the operator to go, the operator gave the vessel full throttle and turned to the right, but it was too late to avoid the collision.
There were no injuries reported.
The collision occurred in the ICW near buoys 17-18 in Chocolate Bay.
Vessel 1 has damage to the port motor, T-top, and cracks and scratches on port side of vessel.  Damage to vessel 2 was not reported.
No equipment failure known.
No alcohol or drug use known.


BARDID: TX-2012-0143
Date: 2012-09-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0783 WHITNEY
NearestCityTown: Whitney
County: 109 HILL
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
THE OPERATOR OF VESSEL #1, TX 1282 AY, STATED THAT HE WAS MAKING CIRCLES IN THE WATER TRYING TO MAKE JUMPS FOR THE OTHER JET SKI, AND BOTH JET SKI'S MERGED TOO CLOSE AND WE HIT.

THE OPERATOR OF VESSEL #2, TX 1268 AY, STATED THAT HE WAS TURNING INTO THE OTHER JET SKI'S WAKE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE IT SPRAY,  WE BOTH TURNED TOO CLOSE AND MY SKI RAMMED HIS AND DAMAGED BOTH SKI'S.


BARDID: TX-2012-0144
Date: 2012-06-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:06:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0192 CONROE
NearestCityTown: Willis
County: 170 MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was traveling north in the main body of Lake Conroe approaching the FM 1097 Long Bridge when the bow of the vessel struck the bridge support (Pylon #40). The three occupants of the vessel were injured when they fell in the boat and were transported to the hospital.


BARDID: TX-2012-0145
Date: 2012-09-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:46:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0152 CEDAR CREEK (LAKE)
NearestCityTown: Seven Points
County: 107 HENDERSON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On September 2, 2012 Vessel 1 was heading northbound on Cedar Creek Lake struck a fixed object.  Operator along with two other passengers were transported to the hospital for injuries sustained due to falling in the boat after the wreck.  PFD's were not being worn at the time of the accident and alcohol was a contributing factor.


BARDID: TX-2012-0146
Date: 2012-09-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 06:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0282 FAYETTE COUNTY
NearestCityTown: Fayetteville
County: 075 FAYETTE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
RedactedNarrative:
On the morning of September 23rd, 2012; boat owner and operator was operating his 20' Champion bass boat on Fayette Lake to go fishing.  Two passengers were aboard the boat; subject1 was seated at the passenger seat of the boat behind the console; her husband was seated in front of the console in front of her.

Operator ran his boat onto the rock dam at Fayette Lake at approximately 6:30 am.  Official sunrise for that day was at approximately 7:16 am.  Operator made a phone call reporting the accident and requesting assistance at 6:34 am.

Lake conditions - Very little wind, the water was smooth, the sky clear, and some light fog on the water.  

Subject2 stated that Operator and Subject1 had been talking prior to the accident.  Subject2 stated that he saw the dam just prior to impact, and that he yelled out "..dam..", but that it was too late.  All passengers remained in the boat during the collision with the dam, and all refused medical treatment, with the exception of ice packs, at the scene.

All water safety equipment was aboard the boat, and no citations were issued.

Location of the accident at the dam was   N  29.91398
                                                                  W  096.72982


BARDID: TX-2012-0147
Date: 2012-09-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:25:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 8230 LOWER LAGUNA MADRE
NearestCityTown: Arroyo City
County: 031 CAMERON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 09/01/12 at approximately 13:25, USCG Nature's Way Endeavor (NWE) received a call regarding a capsized vessel on the ICW approximately 8 miles South of Port Mansfield, Texas. NWE on-scene time was 13:17. NWE observed two people holding on to Vessel 1. NWE's report states that they observed that one of the two passengers was wearing her PFD. NWE's report states that the owner operator sustained injures to his left ankle and EMS was dispatched to Port Mansfield, TX.

On 09/24/12 I contacted Operator who advised me that he was participating in the Rough Riders run from Port Mansfield, TX to South Padre Island, TX.  Operator stated that he was traveling Southbound on the ICW and a 35mph gust hit the boat. Operator stated that the boat capsized and he sustained injuries to his left ankle and two left ribs. Operator stated that no damage was sustained to his vessel.


BARDID: TX-2012-0148
Date: 2012-07-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 5280 REDFISH BAY (ARANSAS)
NearestCityTown: Aransas Pass
County: 205 SAN PATRICIO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
AccidentEvent1: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
On 07/20/2012 at approximately 11:15 am, I, Game Warden, received a call from the Aransas Pass Police Dept. (APPD) informing me that there had been a boating accident in Redfish bay and that a sixteen year old female had been severely injured.  At that time I was in Corpus Christi and informed the dispatcher that I would be in route shortly to assist in the accident investigation.  
     The operator was identified.  Game Warden and I identified ourselves as Texas Game Wardens and informed him that we were working together with the Aransas Pass Police Department on this accident. I asked Operator if he could take me to the location of the accident and give me a description of events that led up to the incident.  Operator stated that as he was making a wide turn the vessel swapped ends violently and without warning. Operator added that he was unsure as to the location of the accident due to the fact that it was his first time in Redfish Bay alone. Operator’s words “swapped ends” are taken to mean that the vessel spun on its axis, as a vehicle spins on a slippery surface.   Operator also stated that when the boat swapped ends on him, Victim was ejected from the vessel and struck by the propeller. I then asked Operator if he hit a sandbar or was in shallow water at the time of the accident.  Operator’s response was that he did not hit a sandbar and also that he was not in shallow water due to the fact that when he saw Victim face down in the water, He dove in to get her.
     By this time we were exiting Hampton's Landing Marina entering the Intra Coastal Waterway that runs North and South just east of Hampton’s Landing.  I asked Operator if anything looked familiar and if he could direct me to the location of the accident.  He struggled a little bit due to the fact of not knowing the area but after looking at landmarks such as the Dale Miller Bridge and can buoys along the ICW, he began to recollect the location.  He stated that he remembered a marker on the East side of the ICW and could take us to the site of the accident.
     We proceeded in an easterly direction in a channel that runs perpendicular to the ICW with Steadmans Reef on the North side and Ransom Island on the South side.  Operator began recalling landmarks on Ransom Island which led us a location that he believed was where the accident occurred.  The GPS coordinates for the scene of the accident were recorded as N 27 52’44.4”   W097 08’13.6”, which is due east from Hampton's Landing.


BARDID: TX-2012-0149
Date: 2012-09-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0680 SOMERVILLE
NearestCityTown: Somerville
County: 239 WASHINGTON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
operator was operating boat at approximately 18 mph and pulling one person on wake board when they struck a submerged road bed and came to an immediate stop. Other than bumps and bruises no one was seriously injured.


BARDID: TX-2012-0150
Date: 2012-06-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0582 JOE POOL
NearestCityTown: Grand Prairie
County: 057 DALLAS
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Weather
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentEvent2: Person Departed Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 06/10/2012 Ofc were dispatched to 5700 Lake Ridge (Joe Pool Lake Lynn Creek Park) on a drowning call. Upon their arrival on Boat 1 they located a blue and white Sea ray with registration number TX 4540 BJ between boat ramps 1 and 2 inside Lynn Creek Park. Operator (driver of the boat) stated that they rented the boat from the marina and they were out tubing. Operator stated that Victim and Tuber2 (Victim' girlfriend) decided to take off their life jackets when they rode on the tube. While tubing Tuber2 fell off of the tube, and Victim jumped in to help her. Victim was able to help Tuber2 get back onto the boat. The boat began to drift away from Victim, and when Operator attempted to turn the boat around to go get Victim, the tow rope to the tube got caught in the propeller causing the engine to stall.

The boat continued to drift away and Victim began to yell for help. While parties on the boat attempted to help Victim, he went under the water and never came up.

Texas State Game Wardens along with GPFD Boat 7 arrived at the area to assist GPPD in the search. The area was searched with side sonar and the Mark 9 Search and Rescue Team was called to the scene to assist with their dogs. As of 2140 hrs Victim has not been locate and the search was suspended. On 06/11/2012 the search continued throughout the day. There was no success on the searching, and the search was suspended for the night.

The search for drowning victim continued the day of 06/12/2012 with out any results. On 06/13/2012 at about 0520 hrs I Ofc were searching the lake surface area on GPPD Boat 1, and Lt was on Boat 2. At about 0525 we located Victim floating in the appropriate area of where he was last seen.

Dallas County Medical Examiner office was contacted at 0530 hrs. an investigator for DCME advised she would respond to the lake with a transport team. GPFD was notified and they also responded to the area on their boat. GPFD transported Victim to the east side of the dam on Joe Pool Lake. Investigator and
the transport team arrived at the east side at about 0645 hrs. They processed the scene and took possession of Victim at 0700 hrs. Investigator advised the service number for the DCME is 12-09656.


BARDID: TX-2012-0151
Date: 2012-06-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:34:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0582 JOE POOL
NearestCityTown: Grand Prairie
County: 057 DALLAS
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 06/10/2012 at about 1834 hrs Texas Game Warden was on his State boat along with Game Warden. When he was notified by a jet skier that a guy was floating face down in the water by a jet ski. Game Warden went to the area and found the subject in the water face down, and brought him into the boat. Game Warden began to drive the boat while Game Warden2 conducted CPR. Game Warden notified GPPD Lake Officers to notify the GPFD Boat 7 that they were bringing them a patient with CPR in progress. GPFD boat 7 medics took the patient from the Game Wardens patrol vessel and continued CPR while transporting him to the marina where GPFD Medic 77 was waiting for them. Medic 77 transported the subject to Mansfield Methodist Hospital.

Game Warden was able to get a contact number to the subjects wife who stated that she could meet officers at boat ramp 1 Lynn Creek Park. When she arrived she advised her husband was out on the jet ski and she was unaware of the situation. She advised that he is prone to having seizures and has had 2 brain aneurysms. Wife was advised of the situation and her family was able to take possession of the blue jet ski with registration number of TX-2335-AN.

Ofc was contacted by Tarrant County Medical Examiner who stated that victim was pronounced deceased at 1916hrs. She advised that their report number is 1207261.

On 06/12/2012, Ofc at about 10:00 AM contacted Tarrant County Medical Investigator about victim.  Subject advised his death was ruled a accidental drowning. Necessary notifications were made about this incident, and the report title changed to a drowning.  It was noted that the operator had a smell of alcohol on h is breath and that he didn't have much experience with PWCs.


BARDID: TX-2012-0152
Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0282 FAYETTE COUNTY
NearestCityTown: Fayetteville
County: 075 FAYETTE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Restricted vision
AccidentCause3: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
Boat operator/owner ran his boat up onto the rock dam at Fayette Lake at the following location: N   29.91314 W 096.72583. This accident occurred at approximately 10:30 pm on the night of September 30th, 2012.

Operator was the sole occupant on the boat and claimed to not have any injuries as a result of this accident.  Operator stated that he had drank one beer at approximately 4 pm.  I did find 5 full, unopened glass bottle beers in Operator's boat, along with one empty that was in a bag with some other trash.

Operator had been fishing on Fayette Lake, and had picked up his trolling motor to move to another location.  Operator stated that the wind must have turned his boat without him noticing, as he picked up the trolling motor.  He stated that he had just got up on plane when he noticed the dam directly ahead.  He stated that he cut power, but that it was too late.

Operator stated that he then made a call to LCRA to notify them of the accident.  He also stated that he was not wearing a PFD at the time of the accident.

Damage to the boat was rock scraping/gouging of the keel of the boat due to running the boat up onto the dam.


BARDID: TX-2012-0153
Date: 2012-06-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0640 SAM RAYBURN
NearestCityTown: Brookeland
County: 121 JASPER
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Steering
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
On 06/04/2012 at approx 9:30 pm State Game Warden was contacted by the Jasper County Sheriffs Office about an overdue boater.  Warden responded to the Twin Dykes Boat Ramp located off of hwy 255 in the North end of Jasper County.  Warden was greeted by several family members and friends of Operator.  Warden did load a nephew in his state boat and began to search for Operator.  Warden soon found a silver and blue boat marked TX 1050 EE parked on a small island just out from Twin Dykes Boat Ramp.  The boat did not appear to have been in any sort of accident.  Warden searched the small island along with several other people.  Warden did notice that the linkage seemed to be altered on the boat.  The linkage was probably a factor in the death of Operator.  However no one seen anything and there was no witnesses around.  Warden along with aprx. 40 other boats searched the lake until daylight for Operator.  Once daylight came several other agencies arrived and began to search.  Every tool known to man kind was used to try and locate Operator.  Finally after several days/man hours on 06/08/2012  Operator floated to the surface aprx 400 yards from his parked boat.  Operator was placed into a Us Army Corp of Engineer boat by Wardens.  Once Operator was recovered his body was taken to the Sam Rayburn Marina.  Operator was looked at and pronounced dead by local Justice of the Peace.  There was no apparent wounds on Operator although his body was severely altered due to the warm deep water of Sam Rayburn Lake.  The body was then loaded and brought to the funeral home.  There was no autopsy ordered for Operator.  The death was ruled as an accidental drowning.  It is to be noted that Operators Pfd was located straped onto the front seat of the boat.   END OF REPORT


BARDID: TX-2012-0154
Date: 2012-07-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:40:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0316 GRANBURY
NearestCityTown: Granbury
County: 111 HOOD
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Both vessels were being operated in the vicinity of the Indian Harbor subdivision and marina. Vessel 1 operator observed another PWC that he believed was operated by his friend. Vessel 1 came along the port side of Vessel 2. Vessel 1 operator stated that vessel 2 veered into his vessel. 


BARDID: TX-2012-0155
Date: 2012-08-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:40:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0590 POSSUM KINGDOM
NearestCityTown: Graford
County: 182 PALO PINTO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 08-04-2012 at approximately 8:40pm Victim who was admittedly intoxicated advised he was in party cove when he got onboard a PWC as a passenger with an unknown male subject. There was a second PWC with two additional unknown males onboard traveling with them. Victim advised being thrown from vessel 1 as it traveled through the water and Vessel 2 striking him. Victim has no further memory of the incident. Victim was taken back to the vessel he left from in party cove and dropped off and the unknown males informed the vessel occupants that he fell from the pwc as they were turning and he may be injured. They then left without leaving any identification information. Victim was transport to the local hospital where he was treated for fractured ribs, Fractured Vertebrae, and a lacerated spleen.

Narrative completed by Investigator with the Brazos River Authority.


BARDID: TX-2012-0156
Date: 2012-08-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:51:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Spicewood
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Missing or Inadequate Navigation Aids
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was traveling southbound on lake travis with a passenger in a tube in tow. as the vessel reached the area of Mile Marker 28 it turned to the left causing the tube and rider to swing to the right. the tube and its rider then struck a partially submerged unmarked large rock on the right side of the lake approximately 20 feet off the shore. Passenger was then retrieved and taken to awaiting emergency service works waiting on shore after a 911 call.

Narrative completed by Investigator with the Lower Colorado River Authority.


BARDID: TX-2012-0157
Date: 2012-09-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1695 CLEAR CREEK
NearestCityTown: League City
County: 084 GALVESTON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On Friday, 09/28/12, at approximately 1100 a.m., League City P.D. received a 911 call of about a jet ski accident on the public waterway of Clear Creek, Galveston County.  The portion of Clear Creek were the accident took place was on the east side of Highway 3 and the railroad bridge, coordinates of Lat. 29’31.093 and Long. 095’05.092. At approximately 1230 p.m. I arrived at the public boat ramp on FM 270 located in League City, Galveston County.   
While on scene I made contact with Det.  was informed by him that the body of the operator had been found.  The body/ operator/owner of the jet was identified.  Operator was operating a yellow and white jet ski(TX-4060-JA).  At approximately 1:00 p.m. the League City Marine Division brought the jet ski back to the public ramp. Upon inspection of the watercraft  I notice heavy damage to the bow.  This accident involved a single jet ski which struck a concrete pillar.  Det. informed me that the brother of the deceased was operating the other jet ski owned by Operator.  I made contact with the brother of the decedent who was identified.  I escorted Brother to my patrol unit with the assistance of Warden and I initiated the investigation.  The following are my findings; 

Brother said that he was visiting from Amarillo to attend his niece’s wedding scheduled for that day.  On 09/28/12 Operator asked Brother to come and ride his jet skies before the wedding.  Operator was very excited that his daughter was getting married.  At approximately 10:00 a.m. on 09/28/12 Operator and Brother arrived to the public boat ramp on Clear Creek/ FM 270 in League City, Galveston County.    After Operator (deceased) backed the two jet skis in the water, Brother got on board the blue jet ski and attempted to start it. At the same time Operator was on the yellow jet ski trying to start it.  After several attempts trying to start the yellow jet ski, Brother asked his brother if there was a problem.  Operator told Brother that he had to enter a code to override the starting mechanism.  When the jet ski was started Brother stated that Operator took off east under the bridge and then went back west up Clear Creek.   Operator was not wearing a life jacket.  Brother was still at the boat ramp.  Operator left Brother with the truck still running and trailer still in the water  Brother waited a minute to see if his brother was going to come back. When Operator did not come back, Brother, still at the dock, took the trailer out of the water and parked the truck.  Brother then got back onto the jet ski and begin to head west on Clear Creek looking for his brother Operator.  Approximately 1 minute later Brother found the jet ski Operator had been riding, floating in the water.  The jet ski was located on the east side of the Hwy 3 railroad bridge with severe damage to the bow of the watercraft.  Brother circled the area of the bridge in an attempt to locate Operator but could not find him.  Brother then went to a house on the south shoreline of the creek next to the railroad bridge to call 911. 
Several pictures were taken of the pillars and the area of the crash site.  Sgt. and I then visited the home owner of the house on the south shore line.  I asked the home owner if he had seen the accident and the informed me that he had not. He allowed Brother to use the phone to call 911 and for a short time assisted with looking for his missing brother.  After the interview Sgt. and I left the homeowner. 
According to Det., the deceased was found in the general area of the crash site. The deceased was observed face down with no signs of life. The Medical Examiner's Office cause of death was by blunt force.


BARDID: TX-2012-0158
Date: 2012-10-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:35:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0282 FAYETTE COUNTY
NearestCityTown: Fayetteville
County: 075 FAYETTE
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Alcohol
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/Swamping
AccidentEvent3: Capsizing
RedactedNarrative:
On October 13, 2012 at approximately 11:55pm i, game warden, received a phone call regarding a possible boat accident at fayette lake, fayette county, texas.  I responded to the main gate at the lcra power plant where two hispanic males had been detained regarding unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.   

Upon talking to the individuals, i identified them as (operator) and occupant.  They stated they had been involved in a boat accident and had used the vehicle to try and find help.  The lcra security guard stated that he had found the boat, capsized and partially submerged, along the west side of the baffle dike.  The operator stated that they had been cruising around the lake when they ran aground on the dam.  The boat was then blown across the lake and rested on the baffle dike.  Operator stated that neither he or occupant were wearing pfd's at the time of the accident.  Operator smelled of alcoholic beverages and stated he had been drinking earlier in the day.  Lcra ranger arrived on scene, and placed both Operator and occupant under arrest for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and criminal trespass.  They were transported to the fayette county justice center in la grange, fayette county, texas. 

Game warden and myself, went to inspect the vessel, tx4843zv, with the lcra security guard.  We found the boat grounded approximately 3 feet off of the bank of the baffle dike partially submerged.  There was a break in the hull about 3 feet back from the bow.  You could see cracks in the hull along the keel, and a hole in the hull below the bow eye.   

Due to the weather and the location of the boat, we were unable to remove the vessel from the lake at the time of this report.


BARDID: TX-2012-0159
Date: 2012-09-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1592 TRINITY RIVER
NearestCityTown: Wallisville
County: 036 CHAMBERS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On September 23rd, 2012 at approximately 4:15 p.m. I received a call from Game Warden about a boat accident that had occurred in Trinity River, near the Trinity River locks in Chambers County.  I arrived on scene at approximately 4:25 p.m. and spoke to operator to get updated on the situation.  Operator informed me that he beached his boat to allow for the passengers to exit the boat to retrieve the trailer and back it into the water to recover the boat.  After all the passengers exited the boat Operator started to back off the beach.  When Operator backed away approximately 10-15’ from the shoreline he noticed a boat approximately 10-15’ behind him traveling from his starboard to port.  When Operator noticed the boat behind him he put his boat in forward.  When Operator put his boat in forward he gave the boat more throttle than he expected and lost control of the boat.  The boat accelerated and turned to port striking a group of pilings that were strapped together with the starboard bow of the boat.  When the boat struck the pilings Operator was thrown into the console of the boat and the kill switch turned the motor off.  After the impact the boat was brought back to the beach by some unknown bystanders where Operator was given first aid and EMS was called to help.  EMS crews arrived at approximately 4:20 p.m. and placed bandages on Operator’s lower left leg and left hand.  Operator was taken to the hospital by his family were he was treated for his injuries.  The impact of Operator into the console caused a cut on the lower left leg which received stitches along with scratches and bruising on the left knee and thigh.  Operator’s left hand was also scratched and bruised from the impact with the console.


BARDID: TX-2012-0162
Date: 2012-10-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Spicewood
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was jumping the wake of a large cabin cruiser that went past when he flew 6 to 10 feet in the air and then nose dived into the water. The operator crashed into the handlebars dislocating his shoulder and striking his forehead. The safety lanyard broke on impact allow the vessel to continue to run in circles around the operator until he could get it stopped and go to shore.


BARDID: TX-2012-0163
Date: 2012-10-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0256 EAGLE MOUNTAIN
NearestCityTown: Fort Worth
County: 220 TARRANT
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Monday
AccidentCause1: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
RedactedNarrative:
Witnesses stated that the vessel had traveled east of the Fort Worth Boat Club to photograph a house known as the castle.  The boat took on water for an unknown reason and began sinking.  The bilge pump failed to keep up with the ingress of water. The witnesses stated that the operator of the vessel stayed in the water for an unknown reason and disappeared.  The vessel sank in approximately thirty-seven feet of water.  Side scan sonar was used around the vessel to look for operator.  A diver was used and operator was located under the console of the fly bridge and unable to be removed to be brought to the surface.  The vessel was brought back to the surface using air bags from a boat tow service.  The vessel was then towed to the Tarrant Regional Water District boat barn, and the Tarrant County Medical Examiner was notified.


BARDID: TX-2012-0164
Date: 2012-11-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0743 TRAVIS
NearestCityTown: Lakeway
County: 227 TRAVIS
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentCause3: Excessive speed
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Unit 1 was traveling in front and to the left of Unit 2. Unit 1 and 2 were traveling within 20 feet of each other at 3/4 throttle. Unit 1 made a right sharp turn into the path of Unit 2 causing Unit 2 to strike Unit 1 on the starboard side and Operator1. The lake conditions consisted of rough water with Moderate winds.


BARDID: TX-2012-0165
Date: 2012-11-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 05:40:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0021 AQUILLA
NearestCityTown: Hillsboro
County: 109 HILL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Collision with floating object
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
We started across the lake to duck hunt.  We came close to some trees and slowed down which threw occupants off balance.  Front of boat dipped under water and boat swamped and flipped over.


BARDID: TX-2012-0166
Date: 2012-09-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0192 CONROE
NearestCityTown: Montgomery
County: 170 MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel #1 left a restaurant called the Back Porch located in Rush Creek heading toward a residence in the Walden subdivision just south of Walden Marina.  Vessel #1 entered into the main area of the lake from Rush Creek and turned north. Vessel #1 was on plane traveling north in the main lake area near rush creek. 

Vessel #2 left Ayers Island located in the main area of the lake just west of Rancho Escondido subdivision.  Vessel #2 was traveling west crossing the lake at a slow headway speed heading to Water point Marina located in Rush Creek. 

Vessel #1, the give way vessel (left), approached  vessel #2 the stand on vessel (right) crossing the bow  Vessel #2 from port to starboard. The ski tower of vessel #1 struck the windlass anchor of vessel #2 which resulted in significant damage to the starboard side of the ski tower and windshield of Vessel #1. The forward support brace on the starboard side of the tower was torn from the fiberglass and forced inward striking and causing injury to the operator of vessel #1. There were no apparent injuries on either vessel. 

Vessel #2 windlass anchor was shifted to starboard and there was paint transfer and scratches on the port bow that occurred when  vessel #2 was pulled to starboard. 

The operator of Vessel #1 sustained a sever laceration above his right eye and was transported to Conroe Regional Medical Center for treatment. 

Statements were obtained from the occupants of both vessels. The occupants of vessel #1 both stated the listed passenger was operating the vessel from the driver seat on the starboard side of the boat and the listed driver was in the passenger seat on the port side of the boat.  There were no injuries sustained by passenger. Operator1’s injuries and the damage to the vessel are consistent with Operator1 being in the starboard (driver) seat at the time of impact. 

Citation issued: Operator1  charge: Boating While Intoxicated 3rd (felony)  name of agency filing case/court referred to: Montgomery County Constables Pct 1


BARDID: TX-2012-0167
Date: 2012-11-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1591 TRES PALACIOS CREEK
NearestCityTown: Palacios
County: 158 MATAGORDA
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Ignition of Spilled Fuel or Vapor
AccidentCause2: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Fuel
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/Swamping
RedactedNarrative:
On 11/25/12 operator launched his 20'10" Sea Ray (TX 1384 EL) on the Tres Palacios River for a boat ride.  At approximately 12:30 pm, after slowly motoring about one mile north of the FM-521 bridge, Operator1 accelerated to bring the boat on plane, when they heard an explosion, and the engine cowling blew off into in the air.  The engine compartment was burning. Operator1 attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher, but was unable to put out the flames, so both jumped into the water trying to get away from the smoke and flames. A nearby boater came to assist them with his fire extinguisher. The fire still could not be put out. He helped both Operator1 and occupant out of the water and got them to shore. The boat burned to the water line, and sank near the west bank of the river.


BARDID: TX-2012-0168
Date: 2012-12-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:12:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0143 CANYON
NearestCityTown: Startzville
County: 046 COMAL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Persons were out on the lake viewing a holiday oriented display on the lake in the boat TX 4422 AP, an 18 foot long Hurricane open motorboat.  After viewing the display, the boat was taken on a cruise around the lake.  Operator stated that she was turning the boat to the left and looking toward her left, when the boat struck a large tree.  Boat owner and boat passenger indicated that he was aware of the trees in the lake, but did not realize that they were near the trees.  Operator stated that the boat was on plane and estimated the speed at the time of impact at 15 mph.  The boat's starboard, front quarter was severly damaged.  Passenger who was seated at the starboard front, was injured.  Passenger had contusions above each eye that required stitches, 5 broken vertibrae and reported bleeding in her brain.  
The tree which was struck was located  and it was found to have fiberglass and gel coat transfer.  Several drops of suspected dried blood were also observed on the tree.


BARDID: TX-2012-0169
Date: 2012-03-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0600 RAY HUBBARD
NearestCityTown: Garland
County: 057 DALLAS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: None
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Ignition of Spilled Fuel or Vapor
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Fire/Explosion (Non-fuel)
RedactedNarrative:
Boat owner was putting gas at Bay View Marina on Lake Ray Hubbard when his boat caught on fire.  When Dallas police department police report stated that the owner of the boat had the blowers on prior to starting. After the boat caught on fire it was pushed away from the gas pumps. While still burning it caught two other boats on fire. The two other boats suffered substantial damage. There was no one on the boats that were in the boat slips at the time when they caught on fire. No one suffered serious injuries due to the explosion and fire. Dallas fire department was dispatched to the explosion. When I spoke with DFD they said that the explosion was accidental.


BARDID: TX-2012-0174
Date: 2012-12-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 8230 LOWER LAGUNA MADRE
NearestCityTown: Port Mansfield
County: 245 WILLACY
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On December 28, 2012 at approximately 8:30 am Operator was operating  an air boat with 5 other occupants coming back from the west weir in the slough south of Port Mansfield, Tx. When he attempted to go around a little island in the middle of the slough that normally has sufficient water thinking there was water underneath some algae. Proceeded to continue through it and struck bottom launching two people out of their seats. Victim1 landed on dry land breaking 2 ribs  in the process and his wife struck the air boat lacerating her Shin. The operator and the other 3 occupants suffered no injuries. The operator proceeded back to port an took the injured to get medical attention. The Two children on vessel were using the life jackets but the four adults were not. According to victim1  the operator appeared  sober and aware.


BARDID: TX-2012-0175
Date: 2012-07-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:20:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1132 CLEAR CREEK (GALVESTON)
NearestCityTown: Kemah
County: 084 GALVESTON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Electrical
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (non-fuel)
RedactedNarrative:
***The following boating accident was reported to myself (the reporting officer) on 01-07-2012 over four months from when the accident took place.  This accident occurred while the vessel was tied up at dock  Every effort was made to complete the BARD report in its entirety however some information was unavailable.  The owner of the vessel and a Kemah Fire Department report provided what information is contained in this report.*** 


On 07-28-2012 subject stated he smelled a light electrical smell after returning to his boat.  He had been gone 20 minutes.  AC was on when he left but off and breaker blown, which was not unusual with the fridge, when he returned.  He stated that he put the generator on and turned AC back on.  Went down inside the boat and saw smoke coming into the galley.  Saw flames coming from the right side by shore power connections and then called the fire department.  Kemah Fire Department showed up on seen along with other surrounding fire departments and extinguished the fire.  The fire was later determined by the Owner's insurance company to be caused by electrical components in the boat.


BARDID: TX-2012-0176
Date: 2012-06-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:13:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1990 G OF MEX OFF GALV-FRPT <
NearestCityTown: Galveston
County: 084 GALVESTON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Force of wave/wake
AccidentCause3: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
***The following boat accident was not reported to me (the reporting officer) until 01-07-2013.  This accident occurred over six months ago.  I, nor any Texas Game Warden was on scene or notified of the accident at the time it occurred.  The following summary as well as this entire report was completed using information from a Galveston Island Beach Patrol report as well as information received from the operator of the vessel.  Every effort was made to complete the report in its entirety, however due to the circumstances explained above there may be some information left blank.*** 


**The following is a statement obtained from Galveston Beach Patrol** 
According to witnesses, operator was the driver of a Jet Ski when he hit a wave, which caused the Jet Ski to turn in the air and land sideways.  The driver was going approximately 35 miles per hour (MPH) at a distance of 50-yards from shore when the incident took place. At this point an unknown beach patron went out and assisted operator back into shore. 
At 15:13, I, unit 296, was dispatched by Galveston Police Department to Sunny Beach, which is at the end of 8 Mile Road, to a possible spinal injury from a Jet Ski accident. I responded code 3 from 61st and Seawall Boulevard. 
At 15:16 I arrived on location. I was flagged down by multiple people and I noticed a female in knee deep water and a male that was lying sideways on shore talking to a crowd of about 3 people. Galveston Fire Department (GFD) then arrived on location. I then grabbed a back board and with the assistance of a Galveston Firefighter we attended to the female patient. The other fire fighters assessed and treated the male patient. I did not touch or get any information on what happened from the male. By the time we strapped up the female patient he was already in the ambulance. 
Shortly after being on shore, Jamaica Beach Police and Galveston Police Department showed on location and assisted in gathering information from witnesses. 
Galveston Emergency Medical Service (GEMS) arrived on location. At 15:48 GEMS transported both patients. 
The Jet Skis were provided by subject and are owned by his father. Normally the Jet Skis are used as a rental business called, The Jet Ski Company, but the patients were cousins to someone who works for the business and the owner allowed the party to use the Jet Skis for free. No liability papers were signed by the driver or passenger. The owner was not present. 

**The following is a summary from the operator of the PWC**   
"While riding around 100-150 yards off shore, Vessel #1 (the Jet-ski) hit a wave at the wrong angle causing it to become airborne and throw both passengers from the vessel. One landed in the water, the other on the jet-ski, then in the water. Both sustained injuries and were returned to shore with the aid of off duty life guards."


BARDID: TX-2012-0177
Date: 2012-11-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0014 AMISTAD
NearestCityTown: Del Rio
County: 233 VAL VERDE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Inadequate onboard navigation lights
AccidentCause2: Restricted vision
AccidentEvent1: Collision with governmental vessel
RedactedNarrative:
NPS Ranger advised that two U.S.B.P. Agents were on patrol and had been struck by another vessel near RG Buoy #4 in the Rio Grande River at approximately 6:30p.m.  The vessel operated by U.S.B.P. Agents was identified as a closed cabin motorboat, gray in color, 24’10” SAFE boat with twin 225 horsepower Mercury engines (Vessel 2).  The other vessel (Vessel 1), identified as a red in color, 2010 Nitro Z-8 open motorboat bearing TX 5317 BB with a 225 horsepower Mercury engine. 
  
Ranger advised that vessel 2 was operated by U.S.B.P. Agent and was occupied with one additional passenger, identified as U.S.B.P. Agent.  Ranger advised that Vessel 2 was idling underway in the direction of upriver with the engines running when V2 OCCUPANT observed Vessel 1  approaching from Vessel 2’s port side.  V2 OCCUPANT yelled to OPERATOR2 that a vessel was approaching.  OPERATOR2 advised that he did not have time to do anything but apply the throttle in order to avoid a “T-bone” collision from the other vessel.  Ranger advised that vessel 1struck vessel 2 t the port corner aft of vessel 2.  Ranger advised that the operator for Vessel 1, OPERATOR1, was transported to Val Verde Regional Medical Center by EMS.  He advised that NPS Ranger accompanied OPERATOR1 in the ambulance ride to the hospital.  He advised that OPERATOR2 and V2 OCCUPANT were not injured in the collision and did not request medical attention.  Additionally, he advised that he had taken photographs documenting the damage to each vessel.   

Based on the facts, damage assessment of the vessels, statements, and the information presented to me, the following is a summary of the events that occurred: 
Vessel 2 was in neutral, facing west in the direction of upriver near RG Buoy #4 with the engines running.  Vessel 1 was traveling on plane, eastbound along the river channel following the lighted RG Buoy markers.  Vessel 2 did not have any navigation or running lights on as it was engaged in a covert law enforcement surveillance activity.  Vessel 1 approached Vessel 2.  The Operator of Vessel 2 activated the equipped navigation lights and running lights immediately prior to impact and provided substantial throttle to the vessel in an effort to conduct emergency evasive actions to avoid direct impact from Vessel 1.  Vessel 1 struck Vessel 2 at the port side stern with the port side bow of Vessel 1 ramping Vessel 1 into the air causing the starboard side of Vessel 1 to make contact with Vessel 2 as well.   

It is my assessment that the time of day, the light conditions and the lack of navigation lights by Vessel 2 are the major contributing factors that caused the accident.  No criminal charges of have been filed at this time.


BARDID: TX-2012-0178
Date: 2012-11-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 02:10:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0143 CANYON
County: 046 COMAL
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
vessel 1 was hit by vessel 2.  boats had started 1st race of day 11/11/12 sponsored by LCYC. V1 had started down the line toward pin end v2 soling started hear committee boat. V2 was occupied watching soling and did not see v1 in safe leward position. v2 made sharp turn to port had hit v1 on star board side midship causing v1 to spin in front of v2. v2 captain/owner admitted fault and said would cover damages.
 
on witness/passsenger list for vessel 2 - operator showed: had crew 2, 6 people - no names listed


BARDID: TX-2012-0179
Date: 2012-08-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:07:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1994 G OF MEX OFF ARAN-CC-UL <
NearestCityTown: Corpus Christi
County: 178 NUECES
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
In the early morning on the second day of August 2012, the family and friend decided to go for a fishing trip in their recently purchased boat.  This was the first trip in the 1995, 21' Sprint.  The youngest son was wearing a personal floatation device during the trip.  Alcohol, (beer) was on the boat, but was not opened or consumed yet.  The family was cruising in the boat, leaving Packery channel, and entering the gulf of Mexico.  The waves got bigger as they passed jetties and the operator/ owner  eased off the throttle.  When the boat started to slow down the outboard engine began to stall and turned off.  Operator tried to get the boat started but in a short period of time the boat started to take on water.  Operator also noticed the bilge pump wasn't working either and the back of the boat started to get heavy and sink.  operator instructed his wife, to start putting life jackets on the kids.  Operator then got on the phone and called 911.  He notified Coast Guard of their location and that they were taking on water and needed help.  Within a few minutes from when the boat stalled and Operator called Coast guard the boat had capsized.  Two people were trapped underneath the boat.  wife swam her way out from underneath the boat.  When she got to the surface everyone was swimming except for friend, who soon surfaced and all were swimming and waiting for Coast Guard.  Coast Guard responded with a helicopter and rescue boat.  All occupants except Operator were rescued in the helicopter.  Operator and the rescue swimmer were picked up shortly later by the US coast guard boat.  The 21' Sprint was a total loss with major damage to the fiberglass.


BARDID: TX-2012-1000
Date: 2012-07-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lewisville Lake
NearestCityTown: Lewisville
County: Denton
WaterConditions: calm
Wind: moderate
Visibility: good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Person Departed Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
REPORT INDICATES THAT THE VICTIM was out sailing with his family.  The victim jumped overboard to retrieve an item that had fallen outside of the boat. The operator turned the sailboat around using the sails but by the time they turned, the victim could no longer be found.  His body was recovered later.


BARDID: TX-2012-1001
Date: 2012-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:40:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: White Rock Lake
NearestCityTown: Dallas
County: Dallas
WaterConditions: unknown
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: storm
Visibility: good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
News media reports that a father and son were each on paddleboards.  When the wind surged, both fell off their vessels.  The son was able to swim to shore btu the father struggled.  His deceased body was later recovered.  Neither was reported to have worn a life jacket.  Wind gusts in the area reached over 40 mph.


BARDID: TX-2012-1002
Date: 2012-07-03 00:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Tawakoni
WaterConditions: Unknown
Wind: Unknown
Visibility: Unkn
DayofWeek: Tuesday
AccidentCause1: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Grounding
RedactedNarrative:
News media reports indicate that a vessel was found grounded but still running.  The body of the operator was found floating later.


BARDID: TX-2012-1003
Date: 2012-06-28 00:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Matagorda Jetties
NearestCityTown: Matagorda
County: Matagorda
WaterConditions: choppy
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: moderate
Visibility: good
DayofWeek: Thursday
AccidentCause1: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
Misle report indicates that a vessel reported an unoccupied, anchored vessel near the jetty.  Responding officials recovered the body of the victim in the water, deceased.  The victim was not wearing a life jacket and had a history of hypertension.  Family indicated the victim departed to go boating around 1830 and was supposed to return around sunset.  The report indicates there was chop and wind at the location where the vessel was anchored.


BARDID: TX-2012-1004
Date: 2012-06-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Private lake
NearestCityTown: Cleveland
County: San Jacinto
WaterConditions: Unknown
Wind: Unknown
Visibility: Unkn
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
USCG entered this accident that occured on a private body of water.  According to a news media report, a group of people were at a private retreat for church.  Three people took out a canoe and capsized.  Two were able to make it to shore but the third did not.  An individual in another canoe departed his vessel in an attempt to save the third victim and he died as well.  His accident is recorded separately.  No alcoholwas reported to be involved and the individuals were not reported as wearing their life jackets.  Neither was reported to know how to swim.


BARDID: TX-2012-1005
Date: 2012-06-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:32:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Private lake
NearestCityTown: Cleveland
County: San Jacinto
WaterConditions: Unknown
Wind: Unknown
Visibility: Unkn
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Person Departed Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
USCG entered this accident that occured on a private body of water.  According to a news media report, a group of people were at a private retreat for church.  THis victim departed his vessel in an attempt to save another person who had capsized.   No alcoholwas reported to be involved and the individuals were not reported as wearing their life jackets.  Neither individual reportedly knew how to swim.


BARDID: TX-2012-1011
Date: 2012-10-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Trinity River
NearestCityTown: Arlington
WaterConditions: unknown
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: unknown
Visibility: unkn
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
According to a news media report, a canoe carrying two people capsized in swift currents.  One person was takent to the hospital for dehydration and hypothermia.


BARDID: TX-2012-1012
Date: 2012-07-28 00:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Livingston Lake
WaterConditions: unknown
Wind: unknown
Visibility: unkn
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
28 July 2012 Accident Date – Accident report from a relative – Livingston Lake, Texas, subject fell from the back of a boat while loading it on a trailer. The boat operator backed over him and he was struck by the propeller. He was life flighted to Memorial Hermann Hospital. His right leg is being amputated while his left leg is undergoing reconstruction. A fund has been established to help pay his medical costs.


BARDID: TX-2012-1013
Date: 2012-05-23 00:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: Joe Pool Lake
WaterConditions: unknown
Wind: unknown
Visibility: unkn
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
According to a news media report, a swimmer was struck by the propeller of the boat.  Apparently the boat had been drifting closer to the shore.  A friend of the victim's got into the boat and put the boat in reverse instead of neutral, striking the victim.  The man was allegedly struck in the chest.


BARDID: TX-2013-0001
Date: 2013-01-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2180 GALVESTON BAY
NearestCityTown: Kemah
County: 084 GALVESTON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
AccidentEvent1: Other
OtherAccidentEvent: vessel destruction
RedactedNarrative:
Traveling South on the Bay at appx.25 mph light chop. Center console detached from hull almost causing loss of control. Was able to motor in slowly to marina.


BARDID: TX-2013-0002
Date: 2013-01-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:50:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0506 AMERICAN LEAGON POND
NearestCityTown: Missouri City
County: 079 FORT BEND
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Description according to Missouri City Police Dept Reports. Deceased subject and a female juvenile were fishing from a kayak in the lake at American Legion City park, Missouri City, Texas. The kayak overturned and both occupants went in the water. The subject helped the female juvenile hold on to the boat and then appeared to go under to try to retrieve some equipment. At this time a witness found a float with a rope, tied one end to the pier,and rescued the female juvenile. Police and fire units showed up and swam out and pulled the floating body of subject to shore. CPR was administered and the subject was transported to Sugarland Methodist Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. One officers report said a witness did observe subject consuming alcohol in the parking lot prior to the incident. No evidence mentioned of PFD's in the boat.


BARDID: TX-2013-0003
Date: 2013-02-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1569 SULPHUR RIVER
NearestCityTown: Maud
County: 019 BOWIE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: None
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
According to the statements,  vessel 1 was traveling west which was up the river, and vessel 2 was traveling east which is down river. Vessel 1 continued on direction of travel and Vessel 2 turned left to continue down river. Vessel 1 collided with vessel 2. Vessel 1 struck the starboard transom side of vessel 2 and vessel 1 sustained damage on the right starboard bow.   

Both were at fault for nav rules violations and improper lookout.

Operator 1 was injured when he struck the boat upon impact.


BARDID: TX-2013-0004
Date: 2013-03-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0451 LIVINGSTON
NearestCityTown: Pointblank
County: 204 SAN JACINTO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
RedactedNarrative:
Operator was getting her boat ready to load onto a trailer she and her husband were using to take the boat to be serviced. Operator1 backed it out of the boat lift and accidentally put the boat throttle into the drive position instead of neutral. The boat accelerated into the dock causing a crack in the fiberglass on the very tip of the bow. The collision also caused Operator1 to hit her head on the aluminum trim of the driver's side windshield. The result was a large cut on Operator1's forehead. Operator1 was taken to Livingston Hospital to be treated for her non-life threatening cut.


BARDID: TX-2013-0005
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2013-02-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:13:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0566 PALESTINE
NearestCityTown: Flint
County: 212 SMITH
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
AccidentCause2: Weather
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On February 17, 2013 at approximately 11:15 a.m. I received a call from the Smith County Sheriff's office about a sinking boat. I contacted the Villages Marina on Lake Palestine and they said two fisherman were buying bait and heard the distress call and went to assist. The boat was underwater. Two people were both in the water both wearing life jackets. Good sams pulled the individuals from the water about 800 yards South of the Villages Marina. Noonday Fire Department and EMS met the fisherman at the Villages Marina. At that time both were evaluated and EMS determined subject1 had mild signs of hypothermia. He was taken to Trinity Mother Francis Hospital and released in an hour. I interviewed subject2 and he said they headed south out of the marina and started taking on water over the transom. Another good sam called for help. I went out to the lake to get G.P.S. coordinates and picked up a tackle box, a cooler, and a paddle.
Hull failure and heavy weather were causes.


BARDID: TX-2013-0006
Date: 2013-03-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0714 TAWAKONI
NearestCityTown: Wills Point
County: 190 RAINS
WaterConditions: Very Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Weather
MachineryFailure: Electrical
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
RedactedNarrative:
Subject was fishing at Lake Tawakoni.  While trolling the engine died and was unable to restart.  Boat was then washed into the rocks of dam, where starboard side hull was destroyed by the pounding waves into the rocks.  The boat also was partially submerged during the incident.  No injuries recorded.


BARDID: TX-2013-0007
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2013-03-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:40:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 7370 UPPER LAGUNA MADRE
NearestCityTown: Corpus Christi
County: 178 NUECES
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
AccidentCause2: Weather
AccidentCause3: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On the morning of March 23, 2013 Vessel 1 TX 1454 AU operated by Operator1 and accompanied by a V1 occupant was headed North along the Intracoastal Waterway, approximately 5 miles South of the JFK Causeway Bridge near channel marker 76.  Vessel 2, TX 7258HS operated by Operator2 was headed South in the Intracoastal Waterway near channel marker 76 with 4 passengers.  There was a heavy fog in the area and visibility was poor.  According to NOAA visibility was less than 1/4 mile at the time of the collision.  At approximately 8:40am the 2 vessels collided, contributing factors include poor visibility and both vessels Capt's failure to maintain a proper lookout.  Operator1 stated that he was on plane, but slowed down right before they hit.  Operator2 stated that he never slowed down and was traveling at around 35mph. On Vessel 1, both passengers were wearing life jackets and Operator1 was wearing the kill switch.  Operator1 was ejected from the boat and occupant fell into the boat.  occupant was later taken to the hospital for an arm injury and sustained a deep bruise.  In Vessel 2 Operator2 was able to stay in the boat, but 3 of his passengers fell overboard, none of which were wearing life jackets.  Vessel 2 (Operator2) then recovered his passengers and towed Vessel 1 to Billings Boat Ramp. 



V1 occupant was injured beyond first aid.  Taken to hospital, had deep bruising. 

Both vessels were left with extensive fiberglass damage.   

Was unable to contact two passengers on vessel  2.


BARDID: TX-2013-0008
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2013-03-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1996 G OF MEX OFF LOW LAG MAD
NearestCityTown: South Padre Island
County: 031 CAMERON
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On March 24, 2013 at approximately 3:09 pm, I Game Warden received a call from Cameron County Park Police advising me of a boating accident that occurred at the South Padre Island jetties.  I arrived on scene at the Isla Blanca Park boat ramp and made contact with Officer.   
He advised me that one male was transported to the Valley Regional Hospital in Brownsville, Tx, and the other passenger was still on scene.  I made contact with the passenger and asked him what happened. 
Occupant advised me that his mechanic, Operator, was the operator of the personal watercraft.  He advised they left the boat ramp and went past the jetties into the Gulf of Mexico.  A large wave on their left side capsized the vessel.  Both occupants tried to recover the vessel, however, large waves continued to push the vessel away from their control.   
Occupant advised that large waves continued to push him and Operator into the rocks at the jetties.  Occupant and Operator climbed out of the water onto the jetties and went to the bait stand with the Isla Blanca Park to call EMS.   
EMS arrived on scene and transported Operator to the Valley Regional Hospital.  Operator received treatment for several lacerations to the head, arms and torso.   
The personal watercraft washed up ashore on the South side the South Padre Island Jetties.  Two fisherman observed the personal watercraft and loaded it into the back of a pick-up truck.  The two fisherman were detained at the Border Patrol Check-point on Hwy 4.  Game Warden  arrived at the Border Patrol Check-point and advised the two fisherman that the personal watercraft was involved in an accident.  The owner of the personal watercraft was notified that his personal watercraft was at the Border Patrol Check-point.  Occupant arrived and loaded the personal watercraft onto the trailer.   
Operator was released from the hospital with several stitches.t


BARDID: TX-2013-0009
Date: 2013-03-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0566 PALESTINE
NearestCityTown: Coffee City
County: 212 SMITH
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Fair
DayofWeek: Friday
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
The victim was sitting in Operator’s vessel when he tried to reach out and grab the dock.  While trying to reach the dock he fell over board and was holding on to the dock.  While holding on to the dock, Operator had the victim hold on to the back of the boat as he motored toward the boat ramp.  Once Operator pulled the victim as far up the ramp as he could get him he asked the victim if he could stand up.  The victim stated he couldn't and that 911 was needed.  Operator noticed the victim begin foaming at the mouth as he called 9ll.  EMS/Fire arrived and the victim was transported to ETMC Tyler.  The victim was pronounced dead at 12:10PM, 3-29-2013.  TPWD Game Wardens did not receive call until 5:00 pm from ETMC ER nurse about deceased victim.


BARDID: TX-2013-0010
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2013-04-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:22:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 2091 BOLIVAR ROADS (GALV. BAY)
NearestCityTown: Galveston
County: 084 GALVESTON
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Poor
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
RedactedNarrative:
On April 6,2013, approximately 1100pm,  Galveston Police Department dispatcher reported a 45FT sailing vessel with 2 people on board disabled and pushed up against the Galveston jetties.  Galveston PD dispatcher contacted Galveston Coast Guard to inform them of the situation and requested assistance. Coast Guard vessel 45618 arrived on scene and was not able to respond due to water depth.  Galveston PD, who was also on the scene,  was also not able to make contact with the vessel due to water depth.  

The owner/operator of the vessel  made contact with SEA TOW and requested assistance.  Since the Coast Guard and Galveston PD were unable to respond SEA TOW agreed to assist.  The vessel began taking on water but was not actually capsizing due to being hard aground on the jetties.  The operator of the vessel  threw an orange life raft over the side of the vessel and was intending on getting into the life raft.  The Coast Guard instructed the operator to stay on the deck of his vessel because of the high probability of being pushed against the jetties in the life raft.  SEA TOW arrived on scene and evacuated two people off of the vessel and transferred them to Galveston PD.  Galveston PD transferred the personnel to the Galveston Yacht Basin and arranged for transportation to a hotel.  SEA TOW did not know if they will be able to salvage the vessel because it had approximately 3-4FT of water inside.  Coast Guard was contacted by Warden on  4-11-2013.  Coast Guard informed Warden he went back to the area were the vessel was last seen, but the vessel was completely under water. It should be noted, this agency was not notified about this accident until five days after the accident occurred. All of this information in this report was gather by this officer by contacting those involved in this accident, to include, the Coast Guard, Sea Tow, the operator, and passenger of the vessel.


BARDID: TX-2013-0011
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2013-04-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:39:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0131 CALAVERAS
NearestCityTown: Elmendorf
County: 015 BEXAR
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Overloading
AccidentCause2: Improper loading
AccidentCause3: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
>Vessel 1 was traveling southeast against the wind when a wake came over the bow forcing the passengers to the stern 
>Weight from the gear and passengers was not evenly distributed in the Vessel. 
>The vessel took on water and capsized.   
>While in the water the passengers attempted to flip the vessel over three times but were unsuccessful.   
>The 2 passengers and operator reported wearing life jackets when the vessels capsized but passenger 2 took off his life jacket when attempting to flip the vessel over. He was unable to recover his life jacket and Passenger 1 and 2 used a single life jacket to swim to shore. 
>The capsized vessel drifted to the north side of the lake.


BARDID: TX-2013-0012
Date: 2013-04-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0164 CHOKE CANYON
NearestCityTown: Three Rivers
County: 149 LIVE OAK
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
AccidentEvent3: Flooding/swamping
RedactedNarrative:
Two boats were headed across the lake one following the other (known as vessel 2 and 3).  Two PWC (known as vessel 1 and 4) began making circles around the two boats and jumping the wake of vessel 2.  Vessel 2 was in the lead.  Vessel 3 slowed and came to a stop so vessel 2 turned around and headed back to see if they needed assistance.  When vessel 2 witnessed vessel 3 start moving again, it turned back around and started back on its original course.  This is when vessel 1 approached at a high rate of speed from the port side.  The operator of vessel 2 was able to get the engine in neutral before vessel1 struck the bow on the port side.  The operator of vessel 1 flew off the PWC going air born over the bow and center console of vessel 2 before striking the motor on the rear of the boat which broke the cover of the motor.  Operator1 attempted to hold on to the motor but was unable to and ended up in the water under the motor.  Vessel 1 penetrated the port side hull of vessel 2 which began to sink.  The operator of vessel 2 and passenger assisted Operator1 into their vessel and took him to shore before their boat sank.  An ambulance and Halo flight were called and even though it appeared Operator1 had an injury to his leg/hip, he refused all treatment and left on his own.  Operator1 (operator of vessel1) was issued a citation for Reckless or Negligent Operation. End of report


BARDID: TX-2013-0013
Date: 2013-03-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:12:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1244 GUADALUPE RIVER
NearestCityTown: Tivoli
County: 029 CALHOUN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 3-16-2013 at approximately 4 :20 PM, deceased and passenger were travelling upstream in the Guadalupe River .  Operator was operating a 14 foot long aluminum vessel( TX 6503 ET) with a 15 horse power Mercury and  Occupant was in the bow of the vessel. None of the occupants were wearing personal flotation devices.  Occupant said he was leaning right and Operator was leaning left in the vessel to counter the weight on the boat.  Occupant said as they were doing so when they were both ejected from the vessel.  Occupant said he was not sure if they hit something or not. On a later statement Occupant said they might have hit something in the water. Occupant said he knew Operator could not swim and tried to throw Operator a life jacket and a flotation cushion but Operator could not get to them.  Occupant said he was able to put on a life jacket and make it to shore.  Other witnesses in a kayak said they saw a male subject struggling in the water and when they got closer the male subject (Operator ) went under.  Both witnesses jumped in the water but could not locate Operator.  Sheriffs Deputies arrived on scene also Texas Game Wardens.  Port Lavaca Fire Department Dive team searched the area but could not locate the victim.  Sheriffs Deputy was interviewing Occupant and said he was unable to detect any odor of alcohol coming from Occupants breath or person. Wardens and Fire department dive team continued the search the next day. Texas parks and Wildlife Department Game Wardens continued the search during day light hours the next few days. On  the morning of  3-19-2013 at approximately 7:50A.M., a boater located the floating victim and the body was recovered by Texas Game Wardens. Victim was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace and after speaking with witnesses and gaining other information she advised no autopsy was in order. The body was released to Victoria mortuary. 
Calhoun County Sheriffs Investigator interviewed Occupant and family members.  Investigator observed very little damage to the vessel, "appeared to be  a fresh dent / scrape with what appeared to be wood fragments located near the top of the side rail edge.  A supplement report is available.  Incident #13-0173


BARDID: TX-2013-0014
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2013-04-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 07:15:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0640 SAM RAYBURN
NearestCityTown: Broaddus
County: 203 SAN AUGUSTINE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Restricted vision
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Synopsis:  During the McDonald’s Bass Tournament  on Sam Rayburn Reservoir  two motorboats collided causing all four occupants from both boats to be ejected .   Three of the four occupants sustained moderate injuries and both vessels were damaged.  All  four occupants were wearing inflatable PFDs that inflated either manually or automatically and kept users afloat.  Kill switch lanyards on both boats were attached and worked properly.  Alcohol was not a factor. There were no mechanical deficiencies noted on either vessel. Boat 1 failed to give way to boat 2 which was approaching from boat 1 starboard side. Boat 1 failed to see boat 2 either due to sunlight in his eyes or vision was blocked by large GPS screen on console. Boat 2 occupants did not see boat 1 who as traveling very close behind another boat. 
 
See attached narrative for more complete details


BARDID: TX-2013-0015
Date: 2013-04-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:53:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0566 PALESTINE
NearestCityTown: Chandler
County: 107 HENDERSON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Overloading
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Received call from HCSO on April 21, 2013 at approximately 7:53 stating that there was a possible drowning on Lake Palestine near Point Royal.  I arrived on scene at approximately 8:30pm.  I interviewed a passenger on the vessel.  Passenger1 stated that herself and operator were fishing when Operator reached over the side of the vessel to retrieve a stringer of fish and the vessel starting to take on water.  The vessel continued to fill with water until it was completely under water with the tip of the bow exposed.  witness who witnessed this happen launched his vessel to try and rescue the occupants of the sinking vessel.  Witness stated by the time he arrived to the scene he only saw Passenger1 above the water.  According to Witness, Passenger1 was wearing a life jacket and was also holding on to a second jacket.  HCSO arrived on scene with a vessel equipped with side scan sonar which was able to detect a body under the water.  Game Wardens deployed a drag and were able to retrieve the body of Operator at approximately 11:53 pm.  Noonday Fire and Rescue were able to retrieve the vessel and Holt wrecker transported the vessel to their lot for safekeeping.


BARDID: TX-2013-0016
Date: 2013-04-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:20:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0368 HOUSTON
NearestCityTown: Houston
County: 101 HARRIS
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Steering
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
On 04/13/2013 at 1020 hours the adult operator and two juvenile passengers of vessel #01 were traveling south bound on the northwest side of Lake Houston. The vessel was traveling approximately 35 mph when the steering link rod separated from the vessel's outboard motor. This separation caused the motor to disengage from the steering, causing the vessel to make a hard turn to the left. When the vessel made the hard turn to the left, the operator fell overboard on the right side of the vessel. The operator of vessel #01 was not wearing a safety lanyard and the vessel continued to the left and circled back around toward the operator of the vessel who was in the water and not wearing a PFD. The vessel and the vessels propeller struck the operator causing fatal blunt force trauma and lacerations to the operators torso, face and top of head. 

The remaining two passengers remained with the vessel and did not fall overboard. As vessel #01 continued to circle to the left, the two minor passengers started yelling for help. Another vessel came upon the scene and told the 9 year old passenger to turn the key off, which turned the motor to vessel #01 off. The operator of this vessel then towed Vessel #01 with the two juvenile passengers to the nearest shore and then called 911 for a water rescue. 

The Houston Fire Department arrived on scene on 4/13/2013 at 1040 hours and found and recovered the body 10 minute later at 1050 hours. The operator of vessel #01 was removed from the water and transported to shore where Houston Fire Department paramedic's pronounced the operator of Vessel #01 dead at the scene. On 4/13/2013 at 1507 hours the Harris County Medical Examiner's Investigator made the scene and transported the body to the Harris County Medical Examiners's Office for further examination 

Officers from the Houston Police Department marine Enforcement Unit arrived on the scene on 4/13/2013 at 1131 hours and began the investigation into this Boat Accident Fatality. Officer observed the steering link rod had separated from the ball attached to the outboard motor. This faulty equipment was a major factor in the operator falling overboard. Another major factor in the death of the operator was the operator  was not wearing a safety lanyard which would have turned the motor off once the operator fell out of the vessel. 
.


BARDID: TX-2013-0018
Date: 2013-05-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:10:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0646 BOB SANDLIN
NearestCityTown: Mt. Pleasant
County: 225 TITUS
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
operator was fishing on Lake Bob Sandlin about 100 yards North of the new boat ramp at the Titus County Fresh Water District Park off of FM 3417.  Operator was in his 14 foot Flat Bottom Eldo Craft Boat with  the anchor down.  Witness stated that a large gust of wind flipped over the small boat and operator went into the water.  Witness stated that Operator was waving his arms and yelled briefly for help before he went silent.  Titus County Lake Patrol Officer and Titus County Deputy responded to the area by boat.  Operator was found floating face down without a life preserver.  Operator was transported to the shore where EMT personnel started CPR.  Operator was transported to the Titus Regional Medical Center via ambulance where he was pronounced deceased by Doctor at 1217pm.


BARDID: TX-2013-0019
Date: 2013-04-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0320 GRAPEVINE
NearestCityTown: Grapevine
County: 220 TARRANT
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Tarrant County Game Warden received a call from Grapevine Police Department at about 10:30pm on 4-28-13.  Dispatch advised of a multi-person single vessel accident on Lake Grapevine that had occurred at about 10:15pm.  I made my way to the scene.  En route to the scene, I spoke with Sgt., who advised me that his officer was going to process the driver of the vessel for Standardized Field Sobriety Test.  I made it on scene at 11:40pm and met with Sgt. of the Grapevine Police Department.  Sgt. advised me that Grapevine PD officer had placed the driver of the vessel (Operator) under arrest for Boating While Intoxicated and was en route to the hospital to take a sample of Operator's blood, which he consented to.
 
At that time, I gathered witness information from Sgt..  I then photographed the vessel which was in the water at a boat house near the accident location.  I then made contact with the owner of the vessel.  Owner arrived to take custody of the vessel.  Owner was also with the brother to the driver of the vessel.  At that time I learned that the owner of the vessel had placed the vessel in care with brother.  brother then advised that Operator had come by his house and asked to borrow the vessel.  Contact information was gathered from both men.  
 
Through initial investigation and information provided by Grapevine Police Department, it was believed that seven passengers and the operator were on board the vessel.  Information passed along that several passengers had left the area before police arrived due to underage drinking.  It was also relayed that the vessel had hit a sandbar in the lake and ejected at least one occupant who had serious injuries and had been transported to the hospital.  Grapevine PD advised that their service # would be 1300029676 and provided a LEADRS case report #1300029676.
 
When the injured person was released from the hospital, follow up investigation continued.  subject was interviewed and provided further details and names of other occupants on board the vessel.  Subject also returned to the scene and pointed out the exact location of the incident.  Photos were taken of a visible line leaving the water, entering onto land, and then entering back into the water.  It was then discovered that the vessel had not hit a sand bar, but had actually made landfall on the shore at the area of a point extending into the lake and then re entered the water. 
 
After speaking with several witnesses, it is believed that the operator had been drinking alcohol and had given several people rides on the lake while they were all "partying" at a boat house.  Numerous witnesses saw the operator drinking alcohol and operating the vessel recklessly in the no wake zone near the boat houses.  Witnesses stated that the passengers involved in the accident had left for one more ride before it got dark.  Witnesses stated that the driver had then accelerated very fast toward the boat houses when he then ran aground.  Three people were ejected from the vessel.  These three people all received injuries. The remaining passengers and operator were uninjured.  At that time 911 was called and other people at the boat house held the driver until police arrived.


BARDID: TX-2013-0020
Date: 2013-05-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:20:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0061 BELTON (BELL CO)
NearestCityTown: Temple
County: 014 BELL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was recently launched along with vessel 2. The two vessels were in route to a staging area of friends located a Temple Lake Park. Vessel 2 had stopped to attach lanyard chord and vessel 1 had not noticed that vessel 2 had stopped, striking it starboard side rear extending portside front.  V2 operator was struck by V1 and injured.


BARDID: TX-2013-0021
Date: 2013-04-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 03:40:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0466 LYNDON B. JOHNSON
NearestCityTown: Llano
County: 150 LLANO
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
RedactedNarrative:
vessel #1 being driven down-stream on Lake LBJ, in an area known as "the Colorado Arm" of the lake by, intoxicated person.  driver stated he was "fixing the music" when he struck a dock, causing tremendous damage to the boat and considerable damage to the dock. The wrecked boat was destroyed on impact with the cement dock. 
LCRA case #2013-180 misdemenaor BWI1st

Operator suffered small injury from unknown object.  Alcohol use and inattention were determined to be causes.


BARDID: TX-2013-0022
Date: 2013-05-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0128 CADDO
NearestCityTown: Uncertain
County: 102 HARRISON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Improper loading
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
On 05-19-2013 at approximately 12:30p.m. The deceased and occupant were canoeing on Caddo Lake when they both leaned over to get a beverage out of the cooler and the canoe capsized.  Occupant stated that they were both laughing when they surfaced out of the water.  At that time he saw the deceased go under water and never return to the surface.  A nearby good Samaritan retrieved Occupant out of the water and thats when 911 was called.  I Texas State Game Warden was then dispatched to the scene along with Deputies Payne and Perkins from the Harrison County Sheriffs Office.  Was on scene I called Game Wardens to assist in the search and recovery process.  With the used of sonar imaging device the deceased was located at approximately 1714 hours. Harrison County Justice of the Peace and Sullivans Funeral Home was then notified. ( 13-12044)a


BARDID: TX-2013-0023
Date: 2013-05-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:45:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0255 DUNLAP
NearestCityTown: New Braunfels
County: 046 COMAL
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
05/18/2013  9:49 pm - New Braunfels Police Department contacts Texas Parks and Wildlife Law Enforcement Dispatch regarding a boating accident on Lake Dunlap, New Braunfels, Texas. 
05/18/2013  9:54 pm - Texas Parks and Wildlife Law Enforcement Dispatch contacts State Game Warden and informs him of the situation and requests him to investigate. 
05/18/2013  10:20 pm - Game Warden arrives at the Lake Dunlap boat ramp locate underneath the I-35 bridge.  Warden meets with a patrol officer from New Braunfels PD. 
Warden is introduced to a passenger from a boat that was struck by another boat.   
Subject states that there were no serious injuries as a result of the accident, that no one needed to be treated by EMS and that there were no persons missing as a result of the accident. 
Subject states that she was a passenger in a boat operated by her friend, Operator1.  Subject explains that while they were cruising in Operator1's boat, they were struck by an unknown boat traveling in the opposite direction at a high rate of speed.  Subject stated that the boat that struck them did not stop and after the collision. The boat sped away without checking on their well being or exchanging any information.  After the accident, Operator1 operated his boat back to his home and placed it in the boat lift for fear that the boat might sink. A short time later Operator1 arrived at the boat ramp and picked up Subject.  I provided them with my contact information.  Operator1 and Subject departed the boat ramp area.   I met with serveral persons who stated that they had witnessed the accident. These witnesses stated that they had seen the collision and had offered assistance to Operator1 and Subject.  The witnesses stated that the boat  second boat was observed traveling at high rate of speed prior to the collision and that the boat operator did not stop after the collision.  The witnesses stated that the second boat appeared to be a red colored ski boat with "tower" for towing skiers and the tower had stereo speakers mounted to it. 


05/19/2013  8:30 am - Myself and Texas Game Warden met at Lake Dunlap and continued the investigation.  We first visited the home of Operator1.  I observed his boat, TX 6572 ZY, to have damage along the starboard side from the operator's seat to the boat's transom.  I observed color transfer from the second boat which was red, matching the reports from the witnesses.  I documented the damage to the boat with a series of photographs and a short video. 

Warden and I traveled via patrol boat upstream from Operator1's residence.  After traveling several miles, I observed a red ski boat in a boat lift that matched the description provided by the witnesses.  Upon inspection, I found that this boat had damage consistent with the damage observed on Operator1's boat.  This second boat, TX 6220 JV, had damage along the starboard side from just infront of the opertor's console to the back transom.  There was also paint transfer matching the color of Operator1's boat. I documented the damage to this boat with a series of photographs and a short video.


BARDID: TX-2013-0024
Date: 2013-05-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0023 ARLINGTON
NearestCityTown: Arlington
County: 220 TARRANT
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Force of wave/wake
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person Ejected from Vessel
RedactedNarrative:
The witness stated that Operator was in his canoe and appeared to be fishing.  He stated that there were two personal watercraft that were traveling in the lake in the same area as Operator.  The witness was unsure of how close the watercraft traveled to Operator.  It is unclear if the high winds on the lake, or the wake from the other watercraft caused Operator's canoe to capsize.  The witness stated that Operator fell overboard once, got back into his canoe and fell overboard a second time and then disappeared.  There was no life jacket found in the canoe or recovered at the scene.


BARDID: TX-2013-0025
Date: 2013-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0006 ALAN HENRY
NearestCityTown: Justiceburg
County: 085 GARZA
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Congested waters
AccidentCause3: Weather
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Primary, and more experienced, boat operator of vessel 1 disembarked to retrieve towing vehicle and trailer so that vessel 1 could be loaded.  An inexperienced operator was left to operate vessel 1.  The no wake zone and boat slip/dock area of Lake Alan Henry's public boat ramp was very crowded at the time of accident, as it was Memorial Day weekend and at a time in which most vessels were being loaded onto trailers at boat ramp.  Winds were light to moderate at the time of accident and matched an earlier weather report.  Vessel 2's owner and operator had docked/moored vessel 2 into a boat slip and had disembarked to retrieve towing vehicle and trailer so that vessel 2 could be loaded.  Operator of vessel 1, through inexperience, crowded boat traffic, and light to moderate winds, failed to maintain control of vessel 1 and collided its port side aluminum pontoon hull into the fiberglass stern of vessel 2, causing a gouge to the fiberglass and coating.  Alcohol and/or drugs were not a contributing factor to this accident.  While PFD's were present and readily available on both vessels, PFD's were not worn at the time of accident.


BARDID: TX-2013-0026
Date: 2013-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 03:30:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0016 ANAHUAC
NearestCityTown: Anahuac
County: 036 CHAMBERS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Sunday
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
EquipmentFailure: Auxiliary
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
RedactedNarrative:
On May, 26 2013 I State Game Warden received a call about a sunken air boat in Lake Anahuac. 
The boat was found in Lake Anahuac with just the top of the fan cage sticking out of the water.  The operator explained to me that he had stopped the boat for a few moments.  When he started the boat and began to attempt to get on plain he noticed water in the bottom of the boat.  He then stopped the boat.  When he did this, a wave came over the transom and filled the boat with water.  The boat
then sunk in approximately 4 feet of water. 
He was not injured in the accident.

The boat was later recovered, the only damage was flooding to the electrical equipment and the fuel system.  The damage was approximated at $2000.00


BARDID: TX-2013-0028
Date: 2013-05-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:10:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 1043 BIG CYPRESS CREEK
NearestCityTown: Karnack
County: 102 HARRISON
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
RedactedNarrative:
Operator1 and wife were operating their vessel heading west on the big cypress river in Harrison county. While underway, traveling approximately 25 miles per hour, they heard a noise behind them that was jet ski. Before they could move out of the way, the jet ski hit them from behind. At that time, a Marion County Sheriff Marine Patrol came around the bend and assisted the individuals until we, myself, State Game Warden arrived. The operator on a PWC was traveling the same direction as the Operator1, at approximately 45 miles per hour. Operator2 came around a bend and saw the Operator1 in front of him. He attempted to swerve, but rear ended the Operator1. Operator2 deflected off the rear of the boat and stopped. The Marion County Sheriff Marine Patrol assisted the individuals until we arrived. The Operator1 had all their safety equipment and so did Operator2. As a result of the accident, there was a hole in boat 1 about the size of a baseball on the back left of the boat and damage to the motor. The PWC that Operator2 drove has a gouge in the fiberglass above the registration on the right side of the PWC.


BARDID: TX-2013-0029
Date: 2013-05-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:49:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0192 CONROE
NearestCityTown: Willis
County: 170 MONTGOMERY
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Wednesday
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: People on gunwale, bow, or transom
AccidentCause3: Sudden medical condition
AccidentEvent1: Sudden medical condition
AccidentEvent2: Falls overboard
RedactedNarrative:
I was dispatched to a call in the area 9236 Lake Conroe Dr reference boating incident.  According to report, a male had fallen overboard and was hanging onto the vessel. The vessel was in operation and traveling in a circular motion.  I arrived on scene and observed multiple EMS personnel on shore with subject, no care in progress; subject showing no vital signs. According to the written statements given by each witness the subject was outside the vessel while it was traveling in a circular motion.  Subject1 and Subject2 arrived in the vicinity of the vessel, subject1 by boat and Subject2 by jet ski, and observed the subject floating face down in the water.  Subject2 approached the subject and attempted to secure him, asking Subject1 if he had a rope in order to do so. Subject1 gave him a rope and then helped tow both Subject2 and the subject to the southern shoreline.  at this time Subject2 began to administer CPR to the subject and did so until EMS personnel arrived on scene. 
According to Subject2 he had observed the subject launching his vessel from the resort boat ramp and believed he could identify the vehicle.  Judge arrived on scene was advised of subjects information and ordered and autopsy to determine the cause of death. 
The number one cause of death in the opinion of Dr as listed in the autopsy report is drowning, with possible contributing factors being as follows: cardio vascular disease. The manner of death is listed as accident. There was also a blood alcohol level of 0.16

It is assumed the victim suffered a heart problem, and fell overboard.  Alcohol, position on the boat, and the heart problem caused the accident.


BARDID: TX-2013-0030
Date: 2013-06-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
State: TX
NameOfBodyOfWater: 0143 CANYON
NearestCityTown: Canyon Lake
County: 046 COMAL
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
DayofWeek: Saturday
AccidentCause1: People on gunwale, bow, or transom
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
RedactedNarrative:
At approximately 4:30pm on June 1, 2013, Victim was sitting on the back of a boat being driven.  Victim was preparing the tube to be pulled by the boat, when the operator accidentally bumped it into gear.  That action, caused Victim to lose his balance and he fell backwards into the water.  Upon entering the water, Victim stated that he was cut by the boat's spinning propeller. After the accident, Victim was driven to the boat ramp by operator. They informed the gate guard of the incident, who then called 911.  Victim was transported by Canyon Lake EMS to Christus Santa Rosa Hospital in New Braunfels, TX for is injuries.


