On October 8, 2013 at approximately 1735 hours I, Officer, was contacted by Officer. Officer stated that he had been advised of a possible boating accident on the South Holston Tailwaters near Bluff City. Officer stated that the boat that was involved was a jet boat and that one person had been ejected. I advised dispatch of the traffic and drove to the Bluff City ramp from the area of the Tri Cities Airport in Blountville. I arrived at the Bluff City ramp at approximately 1755 hours. I observed a grey G3 aluminum jet boat with a registration of TN 1089 EE on a trailer just above the ramp. I initially observed damage to the port bow of the hull. I made contact with the operator of the vessel.  Occupant stated he was an occupant and he had minor contusions and lacerations to both front lower legs. Occupant did not seek medical attention. Sergeant arrived at the Bluff City ramp and assisted in the accident investigation by photographing the damage on the vessel. I obtained statements from the witnesses at that time. 

BASED ON WITNESS STATEMENTS:
Operator stated that he and Occupant had been fishing on the South Holston Tailwaters and were returning to the ramp. Operator was navigating through a series of shoals in the river near Island Park when the vessel struck a shallow area of the river. Operator stated he was thrown over the center console and into the river.  Operator stated he gathered his bearings in the water and grabbed onto the side of the vessel, which did not move from where it struck the rocks. Operator stated that two unknown individuals that were fishing had come over to the vessel. The fishermen assisted Operator and Occupant in pushing the vessel off of the rocks. Operator stated that he climbed over the stern into the vessel and sat down while Occupant drove the vessel by the trolling motor. Operator stated they traveled to the ramp and loaded the vessel onto the trailer to wait for TWRA. Occupant stated that he was sitting on the seat in front of the console when the boat struck the shallow area. He stated that he was thrown into the front deck of the vessel but was not ejected.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT:
The vessel had damage to the hull including holes in the center of the bow and stern. There was dent damage on the port bow hull and throughout the center of the hull. The foot of the Yamaha jet had broken off below the impeller.
BLUFF CITY