The following synopsis is based on Operator and Occupant statements from both vessels:  On 06/25/2011 at approximately 16:30 Operator1 was operating Vessel 1 an 18'' Larson Runabout out of the White''s Creek Marina and Resort with wife, Son, and Daughter as occupants.  Operator2 was operating Vessel 2 a 22'' Deckboat with his wife and daughter as occupants.  Vessel 1 was heading out of White''s Creek Cove toward the main channel of Tennessee River with Vessel 2 directly behind.  Both vessel''s were travelling approximately 20 m.p.h. Vessel 1 decreased their speed to approximately 5 to 10 m.p.h.  Vessel 2 operator  was not looking ahead, and didn''t notice the decrease in Vessel 1 speed.  Wife noticed the decrease in speed of vessel 1 yelling at operator2, but there was not enough time to avoid collision.  

Just before colliding with Vessel 1, Operator2 was able to swerve to the left, but not able to decrease speed to avoid the collision.  The bow of Vessel 2 struck the stern of Vessel 1 pushing the stern down into the water.  As Vessel 2 continued over the stern of Vessel 1 it struck the port (left) side of the wakeboard tower tubing, breaking a portion of that section off, but also slowing the momentum of Vessel 2 enough to deflect it off of Vessel 1.  Vessel 2 came to a halt directly to the left of Vessel 1.  Other than the broken tubing off of Vessel 1''s wakeboard tower, both Vessel''s sustained gelcoat damage to their hulls.  The gelcoat damage on Vessel 1 was partially left of the middle of the stern, and on the port side corner of the stern.  Vessel 2 sustained gelcoat damage on the starboard side of the bow.  There were no injuries in the accident, and this incident occurred in Rhea County, Tennessee.

ROCKWOOD                      