Vessel 1, with four persons on board, was returning from Shooter's (restaurant/bar) to a courtesy dock at East 55th Street Marina.  The Operator and one of the Occupants (the Victim) was sitting in the operating area of Vessel 1; the two remaining Occupants were sitting in the rear of Vessel 1.  Vessel 1 was travelling at approximately 15-20 miles per hour, and was approximately 150 feet away from the dock when the Occupant/Victim sitting in the front with the Operator walked to the stern of Vessel 1 and jumped off the center of the transom into the water.  The parties still on board Vessel 1 were shocked by the Victim's behavior, but recovered their composure and the Operator of Vessel 1 turned Vessel 1 around to pick up the Victim.  As Vessel 1 approached the Victim, the Operator of Vessel 1 grabbed a PFD and entered the water to assist the Victim who was now stating that he had broken his leg.  The Operator was able to assist the Victim back to Vessel 1 and both of them were able to re-board Vessel 1 with the the use of a swim ladder and the assistance of the two Occupants still on board.  The group then contacted emergency services and operated Vessel 1 to the dock to wait for their arrival.  The Victim was transported to University Hospitals where he was treated for a torn tendon and received a skin graft.  The Operator was administered a standardized field sobriety test and provided a chemical test upon request.  The Operator's BAC reading was registered as 0.055.

Investigation into the incident revelaed that the Operator and the Victim had both been drinking alcohol at Shooter's prior to the incident and the Operator reported that the Victim had been "drinking all day".

Cleveland                     