Based on witness statements vessel 1 was traveling downstream towards point 29.  Operator turned on his spotlight briefly to check for debris on the water and turned the light back off.  Operator stated after turning spotlight off he saw a vessel in front of him without navigational lights on. Operator turned his vessel hard right striking vessel 2 on the starboard stern.  The owner of vessel 2, stated he had placed his vessel upon a lift at his dock earlier in the evening.    Owner did not attach a line to his vessel after placing it on the lift at his dock.  The lift malfunctioned allowing vessel 2 to lower back into the water and drift out into the channel.
NEW TAZEWELL                  