VESSEL ONE HAD BEEN STOPPED PUTTING OUT BUMPERS, IN PrEPARATION FOR LOCKAGE. AS THE OPERATOR PULLED IN A LINE THAT HAD BEEN SECURING HIM TO ANOTHER VESSEL, THE LINE BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE SHIFTER/THROTTLE. THIS ACTION CAUSED THE VESSEL TO LURCH FORWARD AND STRIKE A BARGE THAT WAS MOORED IN THE AREA. THE BARGE, OWNED BY THE US CORP OF ENGINEERS WAS NOT IN OPERATION OR OCCUPIED. THE BARGE WAS NOT ATTACHED TO A POWER UNIT AND WAS BEING USED AS A PLACE FOR EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN REPAIRS TO MARKLANDS LOCK CHAMBER. AFTER IMPACT, THE VESSEL WAS TOWED TO THE KENTUCKY BANK BY A NEARBY VESSEL. ALCOHOL/DRUGS WHERE NOT A FACTOR AND WHERE NOT SUSPECTED. PASSENGER ON VESSEL ONE WAS WEARING A PFD BUT THE OPERATOR WAS NOT. THERE WAS NOT ANY INFORMATION FROM THE OFFICER ON THE BARGE.
WARSAW                        