Operator states he was operating a vessel downstream from Clarksville to the North Cross Creek boat ramp at night after watching fireworks.  His wife states that this was the first time they had been on that stretch of the river.  

After observing a bright light on the left descending side of channel, he slowed down and moved farther to the RDB.  He then struck the Old Lock C wall on the RDB which was submerged under approximately 6 inches of water.  The allision resulted in damage to the keel guard, fiberglass and a crack in the outboard casing.

There is no green buoy marking on the upsteam side of the wall as shown on the Cumberland River Chart nor does either the LMN 27/11 (July 6, 2011) or the BNM (July 11, 2011) mention an ATON discrepancy.

On July 12, 2011 at or around 1130 hours, I called the USCG Sector Ohio Valley and reported the missing buoy.

CUMBERLAND CITY               