On saturday, july 23rd at approximately 11:30pm, operator1 was operating a pontoon boat near mile marker buoy 14 on lake gaston.  There were 5 people on board the vessel.  The vessel struck the port side of a 26 foot bow rider that was drifting on the lake.  Three subjects were in the water, as well as 4 on board at the time of the accident.  Conflicting stories about navigation lights from both parties were given to investigators.  Operator1, a 19 year old male, stated that he did not see any lights at all and therefore he struck the vessel because he did not see them.  Another subject on board the pontoon boat stated he remembered seeing a white light and a blue swim light in the water.  By the time he yelled at operator1, it was too late and the vessel had collided with the drifting bow rider.  Other occupants on the pontoon stated they recalled seeing a blue swim light at the time of the collision.

Operator2, who is the owner and operator of the bow rider, stated that he was in the water swimming at the rear of the vessel at the time of the accident.  He stated that he recalled seeing red and green sidelights coming in his direction, thinking it was possibly state wildlife enforcement or a friend that was approaching his boat.  Occupants stated they were yelling when the pontoon struck their vessel.  Operator2 and other occupants on his vessel claim they had their proper navigation lights displayed.

Upon arrival at the scene, the bow rider was displaying an all-around white light and a blue swim light at the stern, but no green and red sidelights were displayed.  Operator2 initially stated that he was at anchor at the time of the accident, but was actually at drift.

No injuries resulted from the accident.  The bow rider had proper pfds on board for every person.  Operator2 was charged with failing to display proper nagivation lights between sunset and sunrise as evidenced by the investigators at the arrival of the accident scene.  Operator1 was charged with operating a vessel while impaired, underage consuming, and insufficient number of personal flotation devices.  Two other subjects onboard the pontoon boat were charged with underage consuming as well.

MACON                         