On 052012 around 1155 hours, I was contacted by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office in reference to a boating incident that occurred in front of Great Waters near the Pro Shop.  I was advised there were injuries and fire and EMS personnel had been dispatched to the incident scene.  I advised Putnam I would be in route from Morgan County and to keep me posted of the extent of injuries when more information was available.

I arrived on scene and spoke with deputies from Putnam County.  They advised operator #1 and her son were standing on the dock waiting for my arrival.  The deputies advised me operator #2 and his daughter had been transported to the Putnam General Hospital by EMS personnel for treatment of minor injuries.

I spoke with Operator1.  Operator1 stated she was traveling north on Lake Oconee and her husband was traveling south on Lake Oconee.  Operator1 stated she was going to stop and talk to her husband and was approaching from the left side.  Operator1 advised both skis were in motion but operating at low speeds.  Operator1 stated her husband had turned to the right as she was trying to pull up next to him.  Operator1 stated the personal watercraft she was riding hit the personal watercraft her husband was riding at an angle.  Operator1 stated wakes from where they had been riding also contributed to the incident.  I obtained a written statement from Operator1 and also used my vid mic to record the damages to vessel #2.  Vessel #1 appeared to have no visible damage.  Operator1 did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time I interviewed her.  RFC stated that Operator2 did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs when he interviewed him.  Operator1 stated she thought her husband and daughter where thrown from the personal watercraft after the impact.  Operator1 was issued a warning for Rules of the Road Violation, 52-7-18.  I also obtained a written statement from Operator1.  My interview with Operator1 was also recorded on my vid mic.  

The personal watercraft were rented from Lake Oconee.  The personal watercraft were taken to South Bay to be removed by forklift so I could inspect the damage more closely.  Vessel #2, GA 1027 EM, had chipped and scratched fiberglass on the port side near the rubber seal, a cracked fiberglass cowl on front of the personal watercraft, the forward/reverse lever was broke off, the plastic housing around the manual cut off button was broken off, and the steering column was loose.  Vessel #1, GA 1027 EM, had sustained no damage from the incident.

I contacted owner concerning the incident and was provided information concerning the insurance on the rental vessels.

EATONTON                      