On April 28, 2012 at approximately 1138 hrs. I Conservation Police Officer was advised of a two boat accident on Rend Lake near the Rend Lake Resort.  I was advised that both boats had successfully made it back to the dock area, and no persons had been injured.
Arriving at the dock area I found the two boats tied off.  I learned that each boat had two persons on board at the time of the accident. I spoke with the owner/operator of one of the boats.  Operator2 told me that he was not injured, "just shaken up and wet".  Operator2 was accompanied on his boat by a friend who told me that she was not injured in the accident.  Operator2 told me that they were at anchor, fishing approximately 100 yards northwest of the Rend Lake Resort Cove buoy line.  Operator2 said he was sitting in the front of the boat facing the cove and did not see the other boat coming at them until it was too late.  Operator2 said as the boat approached he stood and yelled but the operator of the other boat was not looking in their direction and only saw them at the last minute.  Operator2 said the other boat operator turned but it was too late and struck his starboard side rear, throwing him out of his boat into the lake.  The passenger on the Operator2 boat told me that she was in the rear of the boat and was facing the open water and saw the other boat coming at them.  V2 Occupant told me she stood up and yelled and waved her arms but could see that the other boat operator was not looking in their direction and subsequently struck them.  Operator2 was able to pull himself back into the boat and drive to the dock.  I observed that Operator2''s boat had extensive starboard side rear damage to the body and hull.  (SEE PHOTOS of OPERATOR2 BOAT ATTACHED)
I then spoke with the operator of the striking boat, opERATOR and his passenger.  Both Operator1 and V1 occupant told me they were not injured  in the accident.  Operator1 told me that he was cruising in toward the Resort Cove and V1 occupant was seated in front of him, obstructing his view somewhat.  Operator1 told me that he was looking at the no wake buoy area and not looking in front of him.  Operator1 said it wasnt until the last second he saw the Operator2 boat and attempted to swerve out of the way, but could not avoid the collision.  I observed the damage to the Operator1 boat which seemed to be on the bow eye and front end of his boat.  (SEE PHOTOS of OPERATOR1 BOAT ATTACHED).
Operator1 admitted to me that he had drank two beers during the day.  I conducted boat sobriety testing on Operator1 and found he displayed only two clues on the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, and passed the handpat and alphabet test.  Each boats safety equipment was inspected.  Assisting Conservation Police Officers took photos for me and collected written statements from those involved.  No other witnesses were located in reference to the accident.
The Operator1 boat is listed on this report as Vessel one, with the Operator2 boat being vessel two.  
Conclusion:
The Operator1 boat struck the Operator2 boat, while the Operator2 boat was at anchor.  The weather was clear and the water conditions were choppy.  Operator1 admitted to not being able to see around his passenger while driving at a cruising speed.  The Operator1 boat speed and passenger placement would have caused the boats bow to be slightly elevated increasing the lack of visibility Operator1 would have had.  The damage to the bow eye and upper part of the Operator1 boat indicates that the bow was slightly elevated at the time of impact.  Operator Operator1''s inattention and careless operation (driving at rate of speed not to control his boat) was the contributing factors of this accident.

Whittington                   