Subject reported that he completed the rental agreement and safety briefing with Operator1 and V1 occupant. Subject then prepared V1 and demonstrated operating procedures to Operator1 and V1 occupant, ensuring each had a personal floatation device, knew the safety rules and where the fire extinguisher was located. Subject then allowed Operator1 and V1 occupant to board V1 and execute their rental agreement.

     Operator1 and V1 occupant reported they were unable to start V1. Being that Subject had taken V1 from the docking slip and prepared it for Operator1 and V1 occupant, the river current was acting against V1. Subject noticed that Operator1 was unable to start V1 and yelled at Operator1 to ensure he was pushing the green start button, not the red engine cut off button. Operator1 and V1 occupant reported they both checked that Operator1 was pushing the correct button. 

     The river current pushed V1 downstream towards the Edgewater Casino North Dock. Operator1 voluntarily departed V1 and attempted to swim against the current, pushing V1 away from the Edgewater Casino North Dock. Operator1 was unsuccessful in this attempt. Bystanders and Subject were reported to have yelled at Operator1 to re-board V1 due to V1 quickly approaching the Edgewater Casino North Dock. Subject boarded a second PWC and attempted to rescue V1. Subject gave a rope to Operator1 and V1 occupant in an attempt to pull V1 away from the Edgewater Casino North Dock. There was insufficient time and V1 struck the bow (front) of V2 along its starboard (right side facing the bow) side. Subject was required to clear the area for his own safety. 

     V1 capsized, ejecting Operator1 and V1 occupant. Operator1 and V1 occupant were carried by the current, underneath V2, between the two pontoons. Operator1 and V1 occupant were able to grab onto something underneath V2 and hold on. Operator1 and V1 occupant reported hanging on to this item for a short while. 

     At this time Edgewater Security were on scene on the dock. Subject2 advised Operator1 and V1 occupant to let go and float with the current, past the stern (rear) of V2. When each did this, Subject2 was able to grab a hold of them and bring them onto the stern of V2. Operator1 and V1 occupant were able to then walk over to the Edgewater Casino North Dock.

     Edgewater Casino Security notified NDOW Dispatch of the incident.  responded immediately and assisted in freeing V1 from the front of V2 by moving V2 away from Edgewater Casino North Dock and allowing V1 to float free, being pushed by the current.

     Subject had notified Watercraft Adventures of the incident and Watercraft Adventures personnel were able to recover V1 and tow it back to Watercraft Adventures Headquarters at Harrah''s Casino.
Laughlin