Through the course of my investigation it was determined that operator was operating the Centurial Ski boat at the time of the accident on June  26, 2012 at approximately 10:30 p.m.  Contributing cause of the boat accident were attributed to Operator’s limited night time boat operation experience, Operator’s limited to nonexistent knowledge of Flaming gorge Reservoir and lack of sufficient navigational devices.  Prior to the boat running aground on Lost Dog Point, Operator was operating the boat at full throttle, approximately 40-45 mph.  Operator was attempting to navigate the boat from Buckboard Marina back to the Little Firehole boat ramp and inadvertently turned west up the Black’s fork of Flaming gorge just prior to the boat accident.  

At this time Operator noticed a small similar to a burning belt and had the owner stand up in the rear of the boat and move forward to where he was standing behind the operator’s seat.  As Owner and Operator were looking at the temperature gauge they felt the boat start to slow as it was running around and Owner was quickly ejected into the windshield and on the bow of the boat.  At this same instance Operator stated he throttled the boat way down from the full throttle it has been operating at (this was confirmed as the throttle was at ¼ forward gear).  With the boat coming to rest on the sandy beach of Lost Dog Operator and two female passengers, remained on the watercraft with very minor injuries.  Assistance as given to Owner who was disoriented and 911 was called from a nearby camp.  Owner was transported to the Sweetwater Memorial Hospital in Rock Springs and admitted with facial fractures, shoulder separation and a large hematoma on his back.  Operator, and two passengers refused any medical treatment and were released once the investigation was completed.

Green River                   