RedactedNarrative: Vessel – 1990, 19’ Ren 195 Offshore Open Motorboat w/Inboard Engine – Make / HP Unknown
  
  On 09/05/2020, at about 10:39 p.m., this vessel was cruising on the Columbia River in front of 215 N. Hendrickson Drive, located near Kalama, WA in Cowlitz county.
  
  According to Law Enforcement, on this date at about 11:28 p.m., they were advised of a boat collision at the above location regarding a boat that had struck the piers in the river.  Officers arrived and assisted in searching for the subject by flying the Sheriff’s Office Drone.  One of the victims had swam to shore.  The other subject was found clinging to the mostly sunken boat.  He was recovered by Fire personnel.  Both  were transported to the hospital.  Fire personnel advised Officers that they suspected both subjects were under the influence. 
  
  After assisting in recovering the boat, Officers responded to the Hospital.  Officers contacted Operator, who was being treated for a small cut to the head and asked him what had happened.  Operator told Officers “I was just cruising by McMenamins.”  He said someone put piers out in front of them and stated, “It was bad.”  Officers asked how fast he was going, and he stated, “40 mph maybe”.  When asked how much he had to drink, Operator said “Not much at all.”  “Maybe 1 drink.”  
  
  Officers reported that Operator had watery and blood shot eyes and his speech sounded slurred.  They were unable to smell anything due to the requirement to wear masks.  Operator did admit that he was the owner of the vessel.  Officers asked if he was willing to do a voluntary field sobriety eye test to see if he was safe to operate a boat and he refused.  He was asked to provide a voluntary breath sample for the PBT, and he refused.  
  
  Officers then contacted Occupant.  He appeared to have a cut across the bridge of his nose.  He was asked if he was driving the boat and he advised he was not.  When asked who was driving, he stated he did not know.  He was asked if he had driven the boat at any point during the day and he said he had not, and it was not his boat.  Occupant admitted that he had been drinking most of the day.
  
  Officers re-contacted Operator and advised him he was under arrest for operating a boat under the influence.  Operator was taken to the Hall of Justice for BUI processing.  When Officers got him out of the patrol vehicle, they were able to smell the odor of intoxicants even with a mask on.  When Operator was asked the BUI interview questions, he denied drinking any alcohol or operating the vessel.  A records check by dispatch revealed Operator was the only subject on board that had a Washington State Boater Education Card.
  
  Due to Operator’s refusal to provide a breath sample, Officers applied for a search warrant for blood which was granted by the Judge.  Officers served the search warrant and booked Operator into the Cowlitz County Jail for BUI.          
  
  2 Injuries / 0 Fatalities
  Apparent Alcohol/Drug Involvement 
  Vessel Reported as a “Total Loss” – Estimated Value $5,000
  Operator Was Not Wearing a PFD 
  Operator Had a Mandatory Boater Education Card
  