RedactedNarrative: We asked the operator of vessel one Operator1 what happened prior to us arriving on scene. Operator1 said they were anchored outside of the cove across from Victoria Marina playing cards on the vessel. They had their stern/anchor light tuned on and was visible from 360 degree. They noticed another vessel coming towards them. They all started to yell and wave their arms trying to get the attention of the other vessel. Vessel two; a red and black Baja occupied by seven people had not seen them until the last minute and jerked the wheel to the right, striking them on the starboard stern of the vessel. One subject dove into the water off vessel one to avoid being struck by vessel two.
  
  We asked Operator1 if the vessel that had struck them was still around. He said he waited with them for 20-30 minutes until he had to leave, Operator2 stated that he was taking on water and wanted to get his kids and boat off the water. The operator of vessel two, gave them all his information and left to Kellogg Creek boat ramp. I gathered all their information and told them I will be contacting them in the next few days to receive a written statement from them and take pictures of the damage. 
   	
  Numerous attempts were made by three officers to contact with Operator2 via phone but we could not make contact with him. It appeared that he was avoiding our calls.  We proceeded to send a Cherokee County deputy over to his house to talk to him. The deputy told me that he did not seem to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and that all parties that were on his vessel were okay. The deputy told Operator2 I would be contacting him in the next few days. 
  
  Witness said he was behind Operator2 and knew vessel one was there because he saw it before it was dark when he left the cove earlier. He said that vessel one had a dim stern/ anchor light that was visible from 360 degrees but about 20%-30% of his stern light. He said after Operator2 had to leave, he would stay to meet DNR when they arrived on scene. 
  
  On Sunday, June 10 2018, I interviewed Operator2 and he told me that he and another boat were in the back of the cove and they were leaving the cove around 09:45pm-10:00pm. He proceeded to head out of the cove, nearing the end of the cove he saw a vessel right in front of him and jerked the wheel of the boat to the right. He made contact with the starboard stern of the vessel and glanced off to the right. Once he made sure everyone on his boat was okay he went over to Operator1 vessel to check on them. They said they were alright and they proceeded to call 911. Operator2 said he was going to stay with them until he realized his vessel was taking on water. He give Operator1 all his information and how to contact him and left and headed to Kellogg Creek boat ramp where he had launched his boat from. I had him write a statement about what happened and draw a diagram of the vessel and where everyone was located at on his boat right before the accident occurred. 
  