On June 17, 2013 at approximately 8:00PM, Vessel 1 entered Monroe Harbor from the south east following a 45 minute recreational boat ride on Lake Michigan. Meanwhile, Vessel 2 was moored at the Monroe Harbor Pump Out Dock. Vessel 1 continued to advance to the north with the intention of parking the vessel in one of the Chicago Yacht Club transient boat slips. The operator of Vessel 1 intended to back into the boat slip, thus, traveling past the destination slip in order to park via backing. After vessel 1 reached a point past the destination slip, the operator attempted to shift into neutral and then reverse. The operator had trouble shifting and continued to travel northbound toward Vessel 2. Vessel 1 continued north and struck Vessel 2 on the starboard side near the stern of the vessel severely damaging the wood railing. The operator of vessel 1 was inexperienced and not comfortable operating the vessel and thus had issue finding the proper shift position. 

Following the collision, Vessel 1 was able to regain control of the vessel and backed into the destination slip. Vessel 2 remained moored and Chicago Police Department was contacted as the first responding agency. On July 22, 2013, I, CPO, was contacted to investigate the accident. Upon completion of an investigation, due to operator1’s inexperience and operating too closely to a moored vessel, he was found at fault due to careless operation of a watercraft. 

Crowley''s in Chicago, Il removed the vessels and initiated repair prior to my arrival on the scene (notificaiton came 5 days later), therefore photos weren''t able to be taken.

Vessel 1 sustained approximately $2000 of damage to the bow of the vessel. Vessel 2 sustained approximately $12000 of damage to the wooden tique railing along the port side of the vessel.

Operator of Vessel 1was cited for Careless Operation of a Watercraft.
Chicago