On July 21st, 2012 at approximately 1930 to 2200 hours at the Wellington City Lake, Sumner County Kansas, a PWC (V#2) struck an anchored vessel (V#1).  Incident occurred in the southwest portion of the lake near the Island campground.  There were no injuries, property damage only.  Accident was reported to Officer on 7/23/2012 by Wellington City Lake Manager who also stated he had received several complaints on the same PWC and later "kicked" the PWC and operators off the Lake property for unsafe operation.  

On 7/24/2012 at 1100 hours Officer spoke to V#2 operator who said it was his first time operating a PWC and that he did not know any of the rules.  Operator2 was operating  V#2, a 3 person Yamaha PWC, towing one person on a tube. He passed by his father''s anchored and broken down pontoon boat at approx. 10-15 mph, turned northwest and struck V#1 in the rear starboard side.  Operator2 saw V#1 tied to his father''s pontoon boat too late and let off the throttle which disabled V#2''s steering. 

V#1 was stopped and tied to the anchored pontoon boat.  V#1 had 3 occupants.

Operator of V#2 and witnesses state he was operating at 10-15 mph in violation of State law 32-1125, Prohibited operation of PWC.  Witnesses also state that Operator2 was looking back at tuber just before impact.

V#1 fiberglass cracked on rear starboard side and also crack to fiberglass on rear swim deck possibly from impact. V#2 fiberglass cracked and rubber trim damaged on front only. 

Both vessels operable and removed from scene by owners.  Both operators say no alcohol involved.

Operator2 issued notice to appear for prohibited operation of pwc (greater than no wake speed within 200 ft. of anchored vessel)


Mayfield                      