At approximately 9:30 a.m. a four person rowing shell left the "NO WAKE ZONE" headed south down the Chattahoochee River. A Skeeter bass boat was seen coming north. According to witness statements, he seemed to be inattentive and at the last minute, took evasive action and turned sharply to the left. The maneuver prevented the bass boat from hitting the center of the rowing shell however it collided with the front port side of the shell. The bass boat came to rest on top of the bow of the shell. All four operators of the shell were ejected and began to tread water. Operator1 immediately began to assist in picking up the victims. A fishing boat who was passing by also assisted with picking up one of the victims. After everyone and the Shell were secured, the two boats made their way back to the Rowing Club. After Operator1 exchanged all his information with the victims he left to finish fishing his tournament. The other four victims all went home to get dry and warm. When Operator1 arrived he told Sgt, and I that he had been driving slowly north and that he did not see the shell until he was right on top of it. He turned but the shell was too long and he hit the front of the shell causing damage to it, but very little damage to his boat. After informing him that he would receive a citation for a rules of the road violation, he left with a copy of a witness statement and diagram form so he could make his weigh in at the tournament.
GAINESVILLE