Operator1 stated that he, along with his wife, were fishing in a bass tourney on patoka lake.  Operator1 stated that as all the fishermen left from painter creek he was involved in a collision with operator2, operator stated that he had known operator2 for sometime.  Operator` stated that operator2 was slightly in front of him.  He then stated that operator2 turned to the right so that operator2 could avoid an area were the depth was unkown.  Operator1 stated that the starboard bow of operator2s boat collided with the port stern of his boat.  Operator1 stated that he was traveling somewhere between 55 and 60 miles per hour.  Operator1’s wife operator was sitting on the port (passenger) side and gave the same explanation as to what had happened.   Operator1’s wife was lifted from her seat during impact and pulled the passanger side hand hold from the fiberglass.  Operator1’s wife complained of back pain as a result of the collision.
When i first spoke with operator2 he stated that operator had hit him.  After examining operator2's boat and questioning him as to how the damage occurred he changed his statement.
Operator2 stated that he was unsure of what had happened.  Operator2 stated that he was in the lead coming out of painter creek and that he did see the buoys that may have marked shallow water.  Operator2 stated that he had slowed down but was unsure if he had turned or not.  Operator2 stated that he was also traveling around 60 miles per hour.  The only thing operator2 could say for sure is that he was in the lead and that he slowed down.   Operator2s boat also suffered damage and operator2 did not finish the tournament that evening due to wrist pain.
Damage to both vessels suggest that the the starboard bow of operator2s boat contacted the mid port of operators boat.  After initial contact the stern port of operator's boat contacted the mid starboard of operator2s boat.  Operator2's boat then slid over the rubber bunk of operator's boat.   According to both witnesses operator ended up to the port side of operator2's boat.   
Physical damage and witness statements suggest that operator2 veered to the right to avoid an area where he was unsure of the depth, operator held a straight bearing and operator2 contacted operator and eventually ended up on the opposite side of operator's boat.
Birdseye                      