Vessel 2, with five persons on board, was traveling back from Pickle Bills on the Grand River to the Chagrin River on Lake Erie.  While en route, the engine of Vessel 1 quit working and after inspection it was determined that Vessel 1 had run out of fuel (time approximately 9:30 p.m.).  Vessel 1 was then anchored, facing west (the direction they were travelling) and the group decided to sleep on Vessel 1 overnight.  The Operator and Occupants reported that the lights on Vessel 1 were working correctly at this time, and the Operator reported checking the lights again before going to sleep in the bow of the vessel.  Later in the evening, one of the Occupants lit a flare to signal a passing vessel; this vessel came over, was asked for tow information and both parties exchanged phone numbers, then  left the scene and was not seen again.  Later still in the evening, Occupants aboard Vessel 2 saw and heard another vessel (Vessel 1) heading east along the shoreline toward Fairport Harbor.  The Occupant aboard Vessel 2 again tried to signal for assistance, this time using a battery jump box light.  As reported by the Occupants aboard Vessel 2, Vessel 1 slowed down, changed direction toward Vessel 2, then began travelling directly toward Vessel 2.  Vessel 1 did not slow down and the Occupants of Vessel 2 reported only being able to see the bow of Vessel 1 as it approached.  As the Occupants aboard Vessel 2 realized that Vessel 1 was not slowing as it approached, they began waving and yelling unsuccessfully at the Operator of Vessel 1 to slow down.  Vessel 1 then struck Vessel 2 at the aft portside corner and continued along the length of the transom of Vessel 2.  

No injuries were sustained by anyone involved in the incident.  Damage to Vessel 1 included scrapes down the port side of Vessel 1 all the way down to the keel of the vessel, paint transfer, and gouges; there was also a basketball size indentation through the fiberglass on the port side, just below the waterline.  Vessel 2 suffered a ragged cut along the length of the transom starting from the port side corner to the starboard side corner across the top of the engine compartment, which was ripped and smashed from the impact with Vessel 1.  Vessel 2 also had damage to both seats in the aft port and starboard sides and damage through the hull to the waterline of the fiberglass where Vessel 1's port side cut through and rolled off the transom as it passed over.  Vessel 2 was a complete loss.

USCG Station Fairport responded to the scene and towed both vessels in to port.  The Operator of Vessel 1 reported drinking before getting underway and was given a field sobriety test which indicated that he was not intoxicated at the time of the incident.  The Operator of Vessel 1 was cited for negligent operation.  Several underage Occupants aboard Vessel 2 were found to have been possibly consuming alcohol and the Owner of Vessel 2 (an Occupant) was cited for simple possession of marijuana, allowing underage consumption of alcohol and several other carriage equipment violations.

Mentor                        