On September 7th, 2009 at 1620 I was dispatched to assist with a boating collision with an injury on Commencement Bay near mouth of the Puyallup Riverr. Radio advised that USCG units were on scence and were asisting.  The Tacoma Fire boat was responding to assist the injured.  I was directed to meet all parties concerned shore side at the Tacoma City Dock 1550 block of Dock St.

Tacoma Fire was treating the only person injured in the colli P1.  P1 was conscious, alert, and was using a cell phone when he was being whelled into the medics vehicle.  I could see that P1 had a laceration to his forehead area.  P1 was transported to St. Joseph hosptail for treatment.  P1 stated that he was not sure he didn't see anything but believes he was hit by a boat.  He and his friend were on their way back to the Thea Foss Waterway from near the Puyallup river mouth in Commencement Bay.  He was operating vessel 1 and was looking for "humpies" jumping in the water when he was struck by another vessel.  P1 was driving straight ahead at about 15 MPH. 
 stated he was riding in vessel 1 sitting in the bow seat facing aft.  He was watching for the "humpies" to jump and did not see vessel 2 approach until the last second.  Vessel 2 struck the starboard aft section of the vessel hitting P2 and almost threw him from the vessel.  P2 then assisted P1 who was injured.  P3  stated that she was driving her vessel 2 about 600 yards off the mouth of the PUyallup River in Commencement Bay.  She and her passengers were heading to the PUyallup River to fish.  Just prior to impacting with vessel 1 she saw it come toward her vessel from the port side.  P3 was unable to avaoid a collision and struck vessel 2.  She slowed down and returned to the scene.  P3 stated she was driving straight ahead, at a constant speed believed to be 15-20 MPH.  
 stated that he was in the port aft facing seat sitting sideways.   was pointing out landmarks of interest to his daughter when the collision occurred.  He confirmed P3 story and her estimation of speed.  
 was sitting in the port side forward facing seat when the collision occurred.  P5 said she saw the red boat (vessel 1) come into her view from her left just seconds prior to collision. CG1 is an active duty USCG Petty Officer and was on a security detail in the area when the collision occurred.  CG1 stated that he witnessed the collision.  He observed vessel 1 just come up from a stopped position and travel about 40-60 yards prior to colliding with vessel 2.  Vessel 2 was heading toward the mouth of the Puyallup River from the bay.  Vessel 1 was east of the river in the bay heading toward the Thea Waterway.  CG1 stated that neither vessel made any last minute direction or speed changes prior to collision.  CG1 stated they obtained permission from Secotr to assist with the collision. CG2 stated he had observed the collision from his vessel on the water.  CG2 stated he saw vessel 1 and vessel 2 heading toward each other.  They drew closer and it became apparent that the operators did not see one another because neither vessel manuevered to avoid a collision.  Vessel 1 was headed in an easterly direction toward Thea Foss waterway.  Vessel 2 was headed southerly toward the Puyallup River.

Synopsis:

It appears that the operators did not see the toher vessel approaching and made no steering or speed corrections to avoid collision. Also passengers in each vessel did not see the approaching vessel and warn the operators.  According to the USCG Navigation Guide vessel 1 was the give way vessel and should have yielded to vessel 2.  Neither opeator seemed aware of the rules of collision avoidance while underway.  Niether opeator had formal boaters training or a boaters education card.  P1 was given a notice of infration under WAC 352-60-070 sailing and
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