On 09-01-2011 at approximately 5:30 PM, I, CPO received a call from the Illinois State Police (ISP).  ISP advised a boat accident had occurred at Marquis Harbor and gave me a telephone number for a watercraft owner.  Calling owner, I identified myself to her and advised I heard she was involved in a boat accident.  She agreed and told me her husband was operating their watercraft.
           I asked Owner what happened.  She advised they were pulling into Marquis harbor when the wind caught their watercraft.  Owner advised they were "blown" into the bow area of two other watercraft that were moored at the opposing dock.  I asked Owner if there were any injuries.  She advsied there were not.  I asked Owner how much damage was incurred.  She advsied the anchor was damaged on one watercraft and the bow trim was damaged on a second.  Owner told me they had received the most damage.  She advised they had scratches and gouges on the port side of their watercraft.  I asked Owner if they would be available to meet the following day.  She advised they were enroute back to Minnesota, but would meet me at Marquis Harbor.  
           On 09-02-2011 at approximately 10:30 AM, I went to Marquis Harbor.  Parking in the lot, I walked down into the harbor and called the Owners.  Operator answered and directed me to their watercraft.  Arriving at their watercraft, I identified myself to Operator and Owner.  They invited me below decks on their watercraft.  Following them below decks, I asked Operator what happened.  He advised  he had pulled into Marquis Harbor and was going to moor at the west (F) dock.  Operator advised he needed to swing his turn wide to get into a slip on the west dock.   Operator told me that as he swung wide, the wind caught him and pushed him further east.  Operator advised he reached a point where he could not move and had to let his watercraft drift into the bow of the other two moored watercraft.  He told me he knocked the anchor loose on one of the moored watercraft and dented the bow trim on the other watercraft.  After drawing a picture of the scene with Operator, I asked him if he had insurance on his watercraft.  He advsied he did and showed me their insurance information
            I advised Operator I needed to take pictures of the damage.  Operator acknowledged he understood.  I asked Operator if he would write me a statement reference the incident.  He agreed. I walked to my squad and retrieved my camera.  After taking pictures of the damaged watercraft, I returned to Owner''s watercraft and got his statement (copy attached) reference the accident.  I issued Owner written warning #J342220 for careless operationof a watercraft.  I confirmed with Operator I could relay his information to the other watercraft owners.  He agreed. 



Moline, IL.                   