Vessel 1 was traveling north in the Tallapoosa River channel just north of Midway Island on Lake Martin. Vessel 2 was traveling south in the Tallapoosa River channel also just north of Midway Island. The operator and passengers of Vessel 2 stated that they never saw or heard anything until they felt a collision. The operator of Vessel 1 stated that he saw the red and green navigation lights of Vessel 2 headed toward him on his starboard side. He stated that the view of the light would go from red to green and back as if the course of Vessel 2 was constantly changing. He stated that he sped up and slowed down in an attempt to "outmaneuver" Vessel 2. Vessel 2 struck Vessel 1 in the extreme rear of the starboard side, which was where Vessel 1 sustained all of its damage. Vessel 2 had hull fractures on both sides of the bow, stress fractures across the top cap of the bow and scrape marks down the right side of the hull extending almost to the center of the boat. 

Vessel 2 had 8 adults on board. A female passenger complained of head, neck and back injuries. The injured female was examined by EMS personnel on the scene but she refused further treatment. Vessel 1 had four adults on board and 6 children. 2 of the children were examined by EMS personnel on the scene but sustained no visible injuries. One of the children was suffering from hyperventilation and she received oxygen from EMS personnel. One of the adult female passengers also sustained neck and back injuries that worsened overnight. She was taken to the hospital emergency room the next day and treated and released. All 6 children were wearing Type 3 U.S.C.G.-approved personal flotation devices. 

The operator of Vessel 1 was tested for alcohol consumption and tested negative. The operator of Vessel 2 was visibly under the influence of alcoholic beverages and given field sobriety tests. She stated that she was not wearing her glasses during the field sobriety tests and that she had trouble seeing things at a distance. She also stated that she was on three prescription medications for anxiety. She refused to take a preliminary breath test at the scene and was arrested for boating under the influence. The passengers in her boat also appeared to be under the influence of alcoholic beverages and were not capable of operating. Two of them volunteered to be tested to determine if they could operate. One individual stated that he probably had consumed the least of those on board and he registered .14% B.A.C. on the preliminary breath testing device.

Both operators stated that all of their navigational lights were functioning properly and turned on at the time of the accident. Both vessels had the required navigation lights properly displayed when I arrived at the accident scene. The operator of Vessel 2 stated that Vessel 1 was not displaying its lights as required at the time of the accident. The operator of Vessel 1 stated that he saw Vessel 2's red and green light prior to the collision. 

The owner and operator of Vessel 1 had a friend respond to the marina to tow his boat back to the launching area. The passengers in Vessel 2 secured it at Pleasure Point Marina after talking to the vessel's owner. All of the passengers received rides from that location.

Dadeville                     