This accident occurred on shearon harris lake on 5/26/13 at approximately 11:30pm.  Vessel 1 was drifting in a cove on the chatham side of the lake.  There were 3 subjects in vessel 1.  Vessel 2 was on shearon harris lake with 2 more passengers and were noodle fishing for catfish.  There was a third vessel with 3 more subjects who were partners on the fishing trip.

Vessel 2 was moving locations and entered cove vessel 1 was located in.  By all accounts from all occupants, vessel 2’s lights were working.  Vessel 2 was cruising at approximately 25-30 mph.  The passengers were located in the following positions:  vessel 1 driver seat, passenger seat, and front v-seat.  Vessel 2 driver seat, front deck facing backward, front deck facing forward.

Upon collision all occupants from vessel 2 were ejected.  None from vessel 1 were ejected.  Vessel 1 assisted with getting people back into vessel 1.  The third vessel came upon accident and could hear people yelling.  They turned on spotlight and could see people in the water and equipment floating.  They also assisted with getting 1 subject back into their boat.  Vessel 1 lights were not on; vessel 2 lights were still on from all accounts.  Once all were back into boats and equipment was gathered, info was exchanged and some heated words from vessel 2 to vessel 1 for not running lights.  Passengers from vessel 1 stated they were not running their lights to passengers in vessel 2.  Boats went separate ways.

I received call on 5/27/13 at approximately 8:30am.  I then contacted Operator1 from vessel 1.  He stated all occupants were okay but there was vessel damage and were towed into chatham ramp.  I met at ramp, took photos of damage and had Operator1 complete accident form along with starting my investigation.  Operator1 stated lights were working at the time of the accident.  We checked and now nothing works.  I did check stern light bulb.  The filament was broken and not burned out.  I tried to photo this but couldn’t make clearly visible.  Stern light shaft was broken in several places but was in socket.  Also damage to stern platform and driver side windshield.
Contacted vessel 2 operator on 5/31/13.  Operator2 completed accident forms and had all other witnesses there to give statements.  All stated vessel 1 had no lights.  Person with best view was passenger1.  He was on vessel 2 front deck facing forward.  He saw no lights and heard a yell just before the collision.  This fits with the broken filament and not burnt filament.  Vessel 2 impacted vessel 1 on stern passenger side, rode up and over on an angle toward driver seat.  All in vessel 2 were ejected.  Vessel 1 assisted in getting 2 men back in their boat and 1 went to third boat.

Passenger from vessel 1 did tell me he yelled just before impact which fits with statement of v2 passenger.  None of the vessel 2 occupants saw a light even after accident including third vessel statements.  Some heated words were exchanged and 2 passengers from vessel 1 admitted they were not running their lights.  This fits with the broken filament instead of a burnt filament in bulb.  I do not believe vessel 1 was running lights for this fact and statement by v2 passenger who had the best view.
APEX