On 07/02/2013, at about 9:30 a.m., V1 had just launched from the Port of Olympia, Swantown Marina dock and was rowing with just the two rowers located in the bow using only their arms (traveling very slowly).  The boat started drifting towards the boats moored on the breakwater.  The coxswain tried to adjust course but was new and had difficulty.  (coach) made calls from the dock to try to help the coxswain and rowers correct the course.  The rowers were not able to respond in time to avoid contact with the MAHANA TAMARI'I (V2), who was docked on the breakwater.  The owner of V2 was below deck making repairs at the time of the incident.  The rowers pulled their oars in the rowing shell to try to avoid contact with V2.  Some of the oars from the novice eight brushed up against V2.  The crew's oars were at or just above the water level.   

At this point (coach) was in the launch and got to the eight.  By the time she reached them they were away from the MAHANA TAMARI'I (V2). coach inspected V2 and did not see any visible damage.  There was no damage to V1's oars or any other Olympia Area Rowing (OAR) equipment.  All rower's were un-harmed.   

V2 owner alleges that V1 brushed its oars up against his vessel causing damages.  Three representatives from the Olympia Area Rowing Club (OAR) met with V2owner to inspect the damage he claimed their rowers caused to the water side of his vessel.  V2owner could not find the specific damage he claimed the rowers caused when they inspected the boat.  They saw only minor scuffs and scratches on the boat.  They saw no damage that could have been caused by an eight rowing with no speed.  The marks that V2owner claimed were caused by the OAR boat were one to two feet above the water line - too high on the boat for oars from a rowing shell to have caused them without risk of the rowing shell capsizing.  The marks V2owner pointed out to the OAR representatives were black or green scuffs.  The oars the crew was using had red blades. 

No injuries / fatalities. 
No apparent alcohol involvement. 
V1 - No damages.  V2 estimated damage of $2700.00 
No PFDs were worn during this incident.  NOTE:  There were 9 PFDs for the rowing crew aboard the "coaching launch" trailing behind V1. 
The coach in the "launch" vessel had a mandatory Boater Education Card.  V2 owner did not have a mandatory Boater Education Card. 
There were no Rules of the Road Violations.
Olympia