VESSEL 1 WAS A 17' SEA DOO OPEN MOTORBOAT WITH 2 PEOPLE ON BOARD. PASSENGER TOLD OPERATOR THAT HE WANTED TO CHANGE SHORTS, OPERATOR WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 3/4 SPEED AND PUT THE VESSEL INTO NEUTRAL AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION.  PASSENGER JUMPED INTO THE WATER FROM THE VESSEL AS IT WAS STILL DRIFTING.  THE VESSEL DRIFTED 15-20' AWAY FROM THE PASSENGER.  OPERATOR RESTARTED THE VESSEL AND TURNED AROUND TO RETRIEVE THE PASSENGER.  PASSENGER BEGAN HAVING DIFFICULTY SWIMMING, OPERATOR JUMPED INTO THE WATER TO ASSIST PASSENGER.  OPERATOR TRIED TO HOLD ON TO PASSENGER BUT PASSENGER BEGAN TO PULL OPERATOR UNDER AS WELL.  OPERATOR INHALED SOME WATER AT THAT TIME AND FELT LIKE HE ALMOST DROWNED HIMSELF.  OPERATOR SWAM BACK TO THE BOAT AND BEGAN TO CALL FOR HELP.  OPERATOR ESTIMATED THAT PASSENGER HAD ONLY BEEN IN THE WATER ABOUT 30-45 SECONDS BEFORE HE'D STARTED HAVING TROUBLE.  PASSENGER DROWNED.  OPERATOR WAS TRANSPORTED TO WARMC HOSPITAL FOR TROUBLE BREATHING.  NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO VESSEL.  FATALITY VICTIM WAS RECOVERED FIVE DAYS AFTER REPORTED MISSING. CORONER'S REPORT IS PENDING.
LAUGHLIN                      