On August 28th 2012 at approximately 04:15 I, Officer, was notified by Carter County Comm Center of a serious injury boating accident on Watauga Lake.  I, Officer, arrived on scene at approximately 04:30.  Upon arrival, Carter County Rescue was treating the operator. Operator stated that he was operating a bass boat (TN5282 EA) at approximately 30mph when he struck an island.  Upon impact with the island Operator stated that the passenger was ejected from the vessel and into the water.  Two nearby fisherman came and render aid to both Occupant and Operator.  Occupant and Operator were transported by ambulance to the Johnson City Medical Center to receive treatment for their injuries. 

Based On Statements:
Operator and Occupant where fishing on Watauga Lake and had went from the area of Fish Springs to the area of the Dam.  Operator said that he had his gps unit running the entire evening, logging tracks.  On the way back to Fish Springs from the Dam, Operator stated he was following the tracks from earlier when he impacted the island.  Operator was wearing an inflatable PFD and so was Occupant.   Occupant the passenger was ejected during the impact, his inflatable PFD deployed when he struck the water.  Occupant stated that he thought that the straps had broken on his inflatable PFD because he had to hold the PFD on while in the water.  Operator did not get ejected during the impact and used the trolling motor to retrieve Occupant from the water.  Operator suffered broken bones in his left arm, contusions, and broken left ribs.  Occupant suffered broken ribs, bleeding on the brain, and contusions.  

Based on Investigation
Vessel: TN 5285 EA 18'' Stratos bass boat
Damage assessment:  Significant hull damage, Damage to left Console, Significant Damage to right rub rail toward front of vessel, Damage to motor mounts and lower Unit.
Occupant''s Inflatable PFD showed no breaks or tears preventing it from functioning. 
Based on Pictures of the tracks on the vessels gps unit, it shows the vessel running south of the initial track around the impact island.  The angle of the initial impact of the island was approximately 45 degrees, total height from the water was 3 feet 1 inch, and total length of the ramp was 6 feet 8 inches.  From the ramp to the landing impact on the island was a distance of 51 feet.
HAMPTON                       