On 05/22/2011 at 9:02AM I was notified by the Illinois State Police of a property damage boat accident that occurred on Kinkaid lake near Paul Ice boat launch earlier in the morning.  The accident was reported at 6:27AM to ISP from the Jackson county sheriff’s office.  The report indicated two fishing boats collided with one subject being thrown into the water.  No one was hurt and the damage to the boats was not enough for the subjects involved to stop fishing.  I was given the names and phone numbers of the subjects involved and called each of them making arrangements to meet at the Paul Ice boat launch.
  I arrived at Paul Ice boat launch at 10:25AM where I met with OPERATOR1 and OPERATOR2.  OPERATOR1 and OPERATOR2 were the respective owners and each had a passenger in the boat.  I asked again and all of the subjects stated no one was injured and OPERATOR1 who was ejected from the boat after impact said he was wet but fine.  I then asked both OPERATOR1 and OPERATOR2 separately what happened.
  OPERATOR1 stated he was operating his boat (#1) with his passenger about 40 mph turning east to go back into the Paul Ice neck.  OPERATOR1 came from the main marina where his fishing tournament started from, but he launched from Paul Ice.  OPERATOR1 recalled as he was swinging out and turning east he observed a number of boats coming at him on plane.  Specifically he noticed OPERATOR2''s boat(#2) coming right at him and OPERATOR1 said he had nowhere to go with the other boats all around him.  OPERATOR1 stated he had just seconds to react and as he tried to turn away from OPERATOR2, Operator2 would turn towards him which happened about three times.  Their boats then struck each other in a side swipe motion starboard to starboard side and OPERATOR1 was thrown out of the boat and into the water.  OPERATOR1 said he took his foot off the throttle pedal right before impact and said he had no time to react.  OPERATOR1 recalled after being ejected from the boat that the passenger and subjects from the other boats helped him get back into his boat.  OPERATOR1 was not wearing a PFD.  After assessing the damage to his boat and calling in the accident OPERATOR1 said they all decided to go fishing until time to make this report.  I had OPERATOR1 and passenger write me statements and I photographed the damage to the starboard side of OPERATOR1''s boat which is estimated at $7000.00.  The damage was to the fiberglass and clear coat and was all above the waterline.
  I then spoke with OPERATOR2 who stated he too was in a fishing tournament which was starting from Paul Ice.  The 6-7 boats in this tournament were conducting a shotgun start at 6:00am.  They began just outside the no wake zone from this launch all heading west to get around a point out to the main lake.  OPERATOR2 stated they had just began the start and he and others were just planing out at a speed of 25-30mph when he noticed OPERATOR1 coming at them quickly.  OPERATOR2 reiterated what OPERATOR1 stated in he had little time to react and he attempted two to three evasive manuevers but each time turning into each other and ultimately colliding starboard to starboard with OPERATOR1.  OPERATOR2 did not fully recall, but one witness told him he shut down just before collision which put the bow of his boat up which would explain why the damage to OPERATOR1''s boat was up above the rub rail.  After colliding OPERATOR2 and his passenger assisted with others to get OPERATOR1 back in the boat and make sure everything was alright.  I had OPERATOR2 and passenger each write me a statement and I photographed the damage to his boat.  The damage to OPERATOR2''s boat was estimated at $4300.00 and was fiberglass and clear coat damage on the starboard side below the rub rail. 
  Both OPERATOR1 and OPERATOR2 have boat insurance and feel grateful that no one was hurt in this accident.
  I provided both OPERATOR1 and OPERATOR2 with a boat accident report form to be filled out.
Murphysboro                   