On June 26, 2011, operator left *The Dock* bar on Lake St. John driving a 17' Bayline Cruise boat with 5 passengers.  Operator admitted having several drinks that evening at the bar.  Operator stated that they were going to alligator alley on the north end of Lake St. John.  Operator left the bar and headed due east across the Lake.  Operator stated that he saw some navigation light from other boats and thought he was traveling down the center of the Lake.  The vessel made contact with several trees on the east side of the lake.  Four passengers were ejected into the water.  No PDF's were used at the time of the crash.  All subjects were rescued by other vessels in a short amount of time and transported to the Spokane Landing.   The boat was heavily damaged on the bow area due to several impacts with trees.  The boat was abandoned until the next morning when Sr. Agent recovered it.  The boat had a column steering wheel with an inboard/outboard motor.  After an investigation, contributing factors in the crash were alcohol, reckless operation of the vessel and operator inattention.
FERRIDAY                      