The two vessels involved were a police PWC and a university rowing shell. While working the regatta, operator 1 was attempting to reach the west bank of the CT River while traveling north in order to get a better position to monitor the activity. Having his emergency lights engaged, operator 1 was idling up the river. The operator observed four racing shells traveling south at what appeared to him as full speed. The operator looked to the rear and sides to see if anyone was approaching from behind; no other racing shells were approaching. As the operator waited in his location, he was struck from behind by a racing shell. The rowers did not see the PWC because they face the stern. Only the coxswain could have seen the PWC and she stated she saw a PWC in the course and thought it may have been a race official. When she looked again, she thought the PWC was gone. Next thing she knew they collided with the PWC. There is also a blind spot directly in front of the vessel due to the crew's seating position.

In reviewing the facts Vessel 1 should not have been on the race course, but after making entry onto the course the operator failed to maintain proper lookout. The operator of vessel 2 reconginized an unusual occurance on the course and as the sole person responisble for the safe operation of the vessel failed to maintain a proper lookout.
East Hartford                 