On 9-3-11, at approximately 1730hrs, Warden was dispatched to a boating accident that occurred at the boat docks at Franks Marina, Belton TX, Bell County.  Dispatch advised that the vessel had struck another vessel and the dock when attempting the dock the boat.

Warden arrived on scene and made contact with the operator of the boat and a witness.  Both advised that, vessel 1 struck, unoccupied vessel 2. 

The witness advised that vessel 1 was coming in to dock, into their boat slip, when a gust of wind blew the vessel off course.  The operator realized he wasn't going to make it so he backed out, and turned around to make another approach.  When vessel 1 was turning around the port stern vertical bars supporting the roof of vessel 1 got caught on vessel 2's anchor.  Witness advised that vessel 1 didn't realize that he was caught and just continued to give vessel 1 more throttle.  Vessel 1 finally broke free when vessel 1's aluminum support beams broke.

Vessel 1 then completed its turn and reappoached the dock.  When vessel 1 was pulling into the dock the wind was still blowing approximately 15-25mph and was pushing vessel 1 backwards.  Witness advised that vessel 1 operator gave vessel 1 more throttle and that's when vessel one struck the left side vertical support rails on the boat dock.

Belton                        