VESSEL 1 WAS TRAVELING UPSTREAM (EAST) ON THE KANAWHA RIVER APPROACHING THE CHELYAN BRIDGE.  OPERATOR OF VESSEL 1 WAS TALKING TO HER SISTER (THE PASSENGER) AND DROVE HER VESSEL INTO THE END OF A STRING OF MOORED AND LOADED COAL BARGES.  THE COAL BARGES WERE MOORED AT TA PERMITTED FLEETING AREA AND WERE FOUR DEEP.  VESSEL 1 STRUCK THE OUTSIDE BARGE HEAD ON.  THE INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS WITH NO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY, CALM WATER CONDITIONS AND WAS WITNESSED BY A THIRD PARTY ON A PWC.  BOTH OPERATOR AND PASSENGER HAD BEEN TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND VESSEL 1 HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE SHORE UPON THE INVESTIGATOR'S ARRIVAL ON SCENE.
BELLE                         