07-08-2011

Damage synopsis:

On July 3, 2011 at approximately 19:33 hours, I received a telephone call from the subject who operates Lighthouse Point Marina on Douglas lake in Dandridge, TN.  The subject stated that one of his Personal Watercraft (PWC) had been damaged by two of the renters and that they were being uncooperative.  Officer and I were on boating enforcement patrol and responded to the marina. 

Upon arrival, Officer and I spoke with the PWC renters and dock attendants involved.   Operator was identified and his friend was also present.  Both individuals had signed the rental agreement along with the girlfriend of Operator.  Officer viewed the damaged PWC while I took statements from the parties involved.  Niether Operator nor friend claimed responsibility for the damage to the PWC and also stated that they did not see the craft get damaged or notice the damage.  The renters also claim that the damaged PWC was taking on water shortly after they had rented it. friend added in his statement that two of his "workers" had also ridden the PWC at some point.  Operator also stated that the damaged PWC was left in the care of a dock attendant at The Point Marina in Dandridge for a short period of time.  

The dock attendant who rented the PWC to the parties involved reveals that there was no major damage to the craft when rented to these customers.

The subject estimated the damage at approximately $400.00.  

Injury synopsis:

During the investigation, the operator of the damaged PWC stated that while returning the craft to the marina his girlfriend stepped off of the PWC onto the dock and that he was getting his stuff out of the PWC and stepping off at the same time.  He said he then ran up behind another boat and "bumped" it.  He stated that the dock attendants told him to put the vessel in reverse and when he did so, the vessel capsized and he became stuck underneath it when the safety lanyard would not release.   While attempting to re-right the craft he stated to me that he injured his right wrist. He requested a "paramedic" to come out and take him to the hospital.  He later said that he would refuse treatment if it arrived and that he would get his own medical treatment.  

The dock attendants stated that Operator made no mention of his injured wrist before we arrived on the scene and that he used his right hand to re-right the PWC.  Because I could not determine if the wrist was actually injured, I radioed our TWRA dispatcher who sent an ambulance to the scene.  Jefferson County Emergency Medical Service responded to the scene and wrapped the operators wrist.  He was then released.  

An electronic case file is being generated that includes video, pictures, and statements.

DANDRIDGE                     