ON SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00PM Operator1 WAS OPERATING A 19 FOOT CITATION MOTORBOAT ON BADIN LAKE AT FISH TALES MARINA.  Operator1 HAD JUST DROPPED A PASSENGER OFF AT THE DOCK WHEN HIS SHIFT CABLE CAME DETACHED.  Operator1 FIXED THE CABLE AND WHEN HE PUT THE BOAT IN REVERSE IT WENT FORWARD.  WITNESSES STATE THAT THE Operator1 BOAT STRUCK A BENNINGTON PONTOON BOAT TIED TO THE DOCK.  THERE IS SEVERE SHEET METAL DAMAGE TO THE PORT SIDE BOW OF THE PONTOON BOAT CONSISTEND WITH A VESSEL COLLISION.  THERE ARE SCRATCHES ON THE PORT SIDE HULL OF Vessel1 CONSISTANT WITH STRIKING AN OBJECT.  Operator1 STATED HE DID NOT REMEMBER HITTING A BOAT, BUT THAT HE DID HIT THE DOCK.  THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DAMAGE TO THE DOCK AT FISH TALES MARINA.  ACCORDING TO Operator1, THE BOAT WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE PROPER TYPE, SIZE AND READILY ACCESSIBLE PFDS.  THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF DRUG OR ALCOHOL USE CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT.
NEW LONDON                    