Both unit 1 and unit 2 were participating in a championship bass tournament held at Smiity''s Marina in New Athens on 10/02/2011.  Both vessels started the tournament shortly after 9:00am and operated south on the Kaskaskia river to oxbow #9.  Unit 1 was the first to reach the oxbow and as he slowed down to turn into the oxbow unit 2 struck his engine colwing and the rear starboard portion of his vessel.  

Unit 2 operator advised he had recently purchased the vessel and was experiencing problems with the electrical trim switch.  As he attempted to see if the trim switch was working he looked back towards the engine, and when he looked back forward to his direction of travel he saw unit 1 slowing down directly in front of him.  The unit 2 operator advised he was following to closely to avoid the collision, and added his lack of attentiveness and operating experience had also been contributing factors.

Neither the operator or the passenger of unit 1, or the operator of unit 2 stained any injuries and all parties continued to fish the tournament in it''s entirety.

Unit 1 damages were estimated by the insurance company at 8,000.00, and unit 2 damages were estimated at 1,000.00.
New Athens                    