On 8/28/2013, at about 10:00 p.m., V2 (SEA-TOO) was gill netting on the Columbia River about 2000 yards from the Ridgefield Channel entrance, located in Clark county, WA.  The owner/operator reported that SEA-TOO had proper lighting on both the vessel and net.   

The operator of V1 reported that SMOOTH was headed downstream on the Columbia River at about 10:00 p.m. when he encountered a large number of gill net boats.  SMOOTH was assisted to maneuver through the nets by the captains of the vessels via radio and by shining their spotlights on their nets.  Operator1 moved from the lower helm station to the fly bridge helm to be able to see better.  He navigated through most of the nets without incident.   

Operator1 (SMOOTH) asked Operator2 (SEA-TOO) the location of his net.  Operator1 received a response instructing him to go to the Washington shore 10' off shore and go past the remaining nets.  He responded with "I am not going that close."  His response from Operator2 was "you're an idiot".  Operator1 continued to request the location of SEA-TOO's net without response.   

Operator1 proceeded towards the end of SEA-TOO's net close to the shore but the depth fell under 5' so Operator1 reversed course.  He proceeded to go back across the same path he had traveled when he observed a net across his path.  Operator1 immediately reversed his engines in an attempt to stop.  When it became obvious he could not stop, Operator1 put the engines in neutral and was caught on the net.  SMOOTH became immobile due to their propellers being wrapped up in SEA-TOO's net.   

The Coast Guard arrived.  They were unable to free SMOOTH from the net.  Operator2 (SEA-TOO) asked the Coast Guard officer to cut both ends of the net that was wrapped up in SMOOTH's propeller to free their boat so that they could be towed in.  40 fathoms of SEA-TOO's net and the salmon in it was destroyed as a result of the nets being cut. 

No injuries or fatalities. 
There was no apparent alcohol involvement. 
V1 "SMOOTH" estimated $4000 in damages.  V2 "SEA-TOO" estimated $2000+ in damages. 
V1 occupants were wearing PFDs.  V2 occupants were not wearing PFDs. 
V1 operator did not have a mandatory Washington Boater Education Card (he did have an Oregon Boater Card).  V2 operator did have a mandatory Boater Education Card. 
Rules of the Road Violation - Narrow Channels - Inland Waters.
Ridgefield