On july 30, 2012 at approximately 1500 hrs, i responded to a boat accident at hardy lake. I arrived at the alpha ramp and met with operator1 on the boat ramp. Operator1 advised that the other boat involved in the accident was tied up on the ramp dock. I walked down to the dock and met with the other involved party. After confirming that everyone was accounted for and uninjured, i separated them and interviewed them about the accident. 
	Operator1 advised that he was operating his 2000 tracker nitro fishing vessel north around the middle of the lake. He advised that he was traveling very slow (less then 5 mph) with his trolling motor only when the accident occurred. Operator1 was sitting in the driver's seat, and his wife was sitting in the passenger seat beside him. Operator1 advised that a boat was going by them on both sides when he observed the boat on his starboard side quickly turn towards them. Operator1 stated that the boat was approximately 30 yards away when this occurred. Operator1 advised that the boat was traveling approximately 30 mph when it lost control. Operator1 advised that he seen the operator trying to correct the steering, but there was not enough time and the vessel impacted his boat at the starboard rear, causing the impacting vessel to ramp over Operator1's vessel. Operator1 advised that he jumped in the water when he seen that the boat was going to hit them. wife advised that she just ducked down in the boat with her hands on her head. wife advised that she stopped the trolling motor and assisted her husband back in the boat. 
	i spoke with the operator and passenger of the other vessel. The operator advised that he was operating his 2001 smokercraft fishing boat north towards the lake dam when he lost control of his boat. Operator2 advised that he was having trouble evenly distributing the weight in his aluminum boat. He stated that the boat hit a wave causing it to turn hard to the left. He advised that he tried to steer it back to the right, but there was not enough time and he hit the other boat. Operator2 advised that he fell out of his boat, and his passenger stayed in the boat falling towards the middle. Operator2 advised that his boat shut off after the accident. He stated that he was traveling approximately 30 mph when he lost control. 
	both involved parties advised that the lake was busy when the accident occurred but they did not think anyone witnessed the accident due to nobody offering any assistance. The weather was clear and not a factor in the accident. 
	i was able to photograph the damage to both vessels. Operator1's boat had damage to the fiberglass on both the starboard side rear and port side rear. The 200 mercury outboard engine cowling was damaged on the front right and top. There was also a cut in the engine housing near the back left that i believe is from the prop of the impacting vessel. The engine housing was pushed up against the engine block on the impacted side. There were also rips in the vinyl on a pedestal seat in the middle of the boat. Operator2's boat had scratches, paint transfer, and some dents on the front starboard side just above the registration numbers. Operator2 advised that the boat was operating fine after the accident, and he found no other damage. 
	after reviewing the damage and statements, i believe Operator2's boat was leaning on its starboard side when it impacted with Operator1's boat. When the boat hit, it ramped up and over the boat causing damage to both sides of Operator1's boat and motor. 
	Operator2 advised that he did not have insurance on his boat. I reviewed his registration and did a safety check on his boat and he did not possess a required type iv pfd. Operator1 did have insurance and also possessed all required safety equipment. Both subjects exchanged information.

Scottsburg                    