On 7/8/2012 at about 12:15 pm, a 2004, 20' Regal 2000 open motorboat struck submerged rocks near the shoreline of Herbert G. West Lake (Columbia River.)  The collision happened near Lyons Ferry on the Whitman County side of the river (N-46.33.546, W-118.10.517 GPS coordinates) which is upriver from the railroad bridge and across the river from the mouth of the Tucannon River.   

Law enforcement was advised of the incident at about 4:45 pm and was told that a boat was grounded and the occupants had left the scene.  They were also informed that the incident had occurred several hours earlier but because of poor radio service they had not been dispatch had been unable to contact the deputies.  When law enforcement arrived at about 7:00 pm, the boat was partially submerged and tied to the rocks.  There were four males were using a pump and attempting to pump out the water in the boat.   

When asked by law enforcement what had happened, the operator, Operator, said that he was driving the boat and the steering broke, causing it to veer too close to shore ripping the propeller off.  The boat then slammed into the rocks.  He said that one passenger, Passenger, was ejected and landed on the rocks and brush.  He sustained cuts and bruises but did not require medical treatment.  There were no other injuries.   

According to witnesses, the boat was operating in a reckless manner.  Rangers from the Army Corps of Engineer's said the area of the gravel launch had been blocked with large rocks to prevent launching boats.  The occupants of the boat must have moved the rocks to access the launch area.  Law enforcement asked Operator if they had moved the rocks to access the launch.  He said they did.  The boat was seized by law enforcement for investigation of possible reckless boating.  Operator was informed by the deputy that a witness had said that they all appeared to be intoxicated at the time of the collision and that his story about the steering breaking did not match up.  Operator said, "Well it didn't break, it just got stuck". 

Operator stated that he did not have any alcohol drinks at all before or after the incident and that he did not have a mandatory boater education card.  He estimated his speed at about 35 mph.  The boat was released to Operator.  He was issued a citation for operating a vessel in a negligent manner and failure to have a boater education card.   

It was estimated that 20-30 gallons of fuel were probably lost.  The Department of Ecology responsible for fuel spills informed the sheriff's office that they were not going to respond.  Boat damages were estimated at $18,000.00.

Starbuck                      