On July 20th, 2012 at approximately 12:00 I, Officer, became aware of a boating accident that occurred on Boone Lake in Sullivan County on July 7th 2012 at approximately 03:30.  I received a copy of Sullivan County Sheriff''s Department report on the accident from Investigator.  The Sullivan County Sheriff''s Office report states that Officer responded to Lakes Edge Drive in Piney Flatts at 04:26 were he spoke with a Operator1.  Operator1 state while traveling on Boone Lake he struck a Yamaha PWC (Registration TN 3807 ED)  with his Ranger bass boat ( Registration VA 4543 BV).  Owner2 was contacted by phone by Officer and she stated that the PWC had been tied to her dock and must have come loose.   I, Officer, then contacted the individuals involved and located the vessels involved and began an accident report.  
Based on Statements:
Operator1 was operating a Ranger bass boat, registration VA 4543 BV, at approximately 4:00 am on July 7th 2012.  Operator1 was returning from Davis Marina traveling downstream to Lakeview Campground with his fishing partner in the vessel.  Operator1 stated he was traveling between 20-25mph when he seen a PWC five feet in front of his vessel.  Operator1 state that upon impacting the PWC, he was thrown into the back seat of his vessel.  Operator1 did not have a kill switch attached to his person.   Operator1 stated his vessel started to travel hard right when he recovered and pull the kill switch.  Operator1 stated there was a no one around the PWC and there was a 6 inch frayed rope attached to the PWC with a hook on it.  The PWC had no lights of any kind on at the time of the accident.  At this point Operator1 and occupant contacted Sullivan County 911 to report the collision.  Operator1 and occupant later meet with Sullivan County Sheriff''s Department Officers to do a report.   Operator1 stated that no injuries occurred to himself or occupant.

Owner2 stated that she had not been to the Dock on the day of the accident and for a few days prior.  Owner2 stated that the PWC was attached to the floating dock by a rope and a metal hook, and that the PWC was difficult to slide off of the floating dock.  

Based on Investigation:
Vessel 1 received minor gel coat damage and damage to the propeller. Vessel 2 received significant damage to the starboard bow area.  Vessel 2 did have a rope attached to a metal hook attached to the bow eye.  The rope was frayed at the end.  There was no rope matching the rope on vessel 2 at the location that vessel 2 was said to be docked.  The diagram above shows the impact scenario of the two vessels.  Severe storms where in the area of Boone Lake on 7- 5-2012.  A resident who resides at Lakeview Dock stated that he had seen the PWC drifted against the shore in the cove at Lakeview Campground for approximately 2 days before the accident.  
Damage assessment:
Vessel 1: Ranger Bass Boat
Impact damage to hull on keel and on port area of Hull
Impact damage to propeller 

Vessel 2: Yamaha PWC
Impact to the starboard bow: Bow eye impact to starboard bow
Propeller Strike to starboard bow railing and Hull

PINEY FLATS                   