RedactedNarrative: Vessel #1 was headed downstream on Ft. Loudoun Lake on the right side descending side of the river at approximately the Tennessee River Mile 603.  By the operator statement he was traveling about 35 mph.  Vessel #2 had left Calhouns at Ft. Loudon Marina and rounded Arrival Point and was headed upstream.  Shortly thereafter, there was a collision between the two vessels.  Vessel #1 impacted Vessel #2 near the stern on the port side.  Vessel #1 passed mostly through and over Vessel #2 coming to rest with only the lower unit of #1 hanging up on the starbord side of the transom of #2.  The passenger in Vessel #1 was the only injury.
  
  Both parties claimed to have been running their navigation lights which was backed up by an independent witness.  When I arrived on scene which was minutes after the accident, someone from one of the two vessels proclaimed, "We had our lights on."  The navigation lights of both vessels were on upon my arrival.  Filaments of both navigation lights were examined but neither showed any noticeable deformation.  The operator of Vessel #1 did state that he believed Vessel #2 was running dark.  An independent witness stated that he believed that the back lighting from the dam may have obscured Vessel #2 which is a common occurrence in boating accidents.  Through my experience in investigating boating accidents and as well as my local knowledge, I would agree that it possibly contributed to the incident.
  
  A forensic analysis was also completed on the electronics of Vessel #1, but no information was discovered pertaining to the location as well as the night in question.
  
  Both operators were asked if they had been drinking or had used narcotics.  The operator of Vessel #1 claimed no to both and there was no evidence to indicate otherwise.  The operator of Vessel #2 claimed he had drank a few beers earlier in the day and there was a pill bottle with what appeared to be small amounts of marijuana and the roach of a marijuana cigarette.  There were no other indications of impairment other than one independent witness stating that  the occupants of Vessel #2 appeared intoxicated, especially the male driver.  I read an Alcohol And/Or Drug Level Request form to operator 2 (Vessel #2) and he declined to supply a blood sample.  He did submit to a FST in which he performed adequately.
  