RedactedNarrative: On July 2nd, 2021, at approximately 1800 local time, a collision occurred between a vessel and a personal watercraft (PWC) on Holter Lake. This accident was reported on September 7th, 2021. The following is a report of events leading up to and concluding the boating accident obtained from interviews with individuals onboard both the vessel and PWC involved. 
  
  Vessel #1, a 21-foot 1990 Crestliner, was occupied by 7 individuals including adults and children. Vessel #1 was launched from Log Gulch Campground on the afternoon of July 2nd. After running upriver from the launch ramp towards the Gates of The Mountains, Vessel #1 was stationary with the motor turned off while Operator #1 prepared to tow his kids on a tube.  
  
  Vessel #2, a 2004 See Doo PWC, was in the same area as Vessel #1. Vessel #2 was operated by an adult male, operator #2, and a 13-year-old female, operator #3 who is related to the individuals on Vessel #1. Vessel #2 was borrowed from the owner, who was not present during the day of the accident. Throughout the day, individuals of different ages took turns operating Vessel #2. Operator #2 borrowed the PWC from friends who own property along Holter Lake and leave the PWC on a dock for the summer. Operator #2 described himself as experienced in operating PWC’s like Vessel #2 although he does not own one. Both Operator #2 and #3 took turns operating Vessel #2 before the accident occurred. Operator #3 sat in front of Operator #2 as they rode Vessel #2. The kill switch for vessel #2 was attached to Operator #2’s PFD and had to stretch around Operator #3 to the ignition on the handlebars. 
    
  While Vessel #1 drifted with the motor turned off, Vessel #2 approached Vessel #1 with the intent to spray the occupants of Vessel #1 with water from the PWC’s jet motor. As Vessel #2 approached at moderate speed, it struck Vessel #1’s bow on the port side. The collision caused damage to Vessel #1’s aluminum hull, leaving a significant dent on the port side of the bow. The collision did not cause Vessel #1 to take on water. Operator #1 was able to drive Vessel #1 back to the launch ramp and continued to use the vessel over the weekend. Vessel #2 did not sustain any obvious damage from the collision. Based on paint transfer as well as witness interviews, the bumper/fender portion on the starboard bow of Vessel #2 impacted Vessel #1. There were no injuries amongst the occupants of both vessel #1 and #2. 
  
  Through interviews with both Operator #2 and #3, there’s disagreement on who was operating Vessel #2 in the minutes leading up to the collision. Operator #2 claimed Operator #3 was controlling Vessel #2 right up to the seconds before the collision and that he only took control to try and avoid the collision. Operator #3 claims Operator #2 was in control of Vessel #2 the entire time leading up to the collision, and that she did not come up with the idea to spray the occupants on Vessel #1. Occupants on Vessel #1 stated Operator #2 apologized after the collision and explained he was just trying to have some fun. Operator #3 jumped off Vessel #2 after the collision and swam to Vessel #1 because she did not feel comfortable being on Vessel #2 any further. Operator #2 explained when he knew that a collision was imminent, he leaned his weight to the port side of Vessel #2 and added throttle to try and make the PWC turn sharper. Additionally, Operator #2 recalled the kill switch being caught under the arm of Operator #3 in front of him, making a turn to the left more difficult.
  
  The contributing factors that played a role in this accident can be summed up as follows. Regardless of the discrepancies between Operator #2 and #3 with who was controlling Vessel #2 leading up to the collision, Operator #2 was responsible for the safe operation of Vessel #2. A safe distance between both vessels was not kept as Vessel #2 approached Vessel #1. The intent to spray Vessel #1 resulted in Vessel #2 approaching at a speed too great and at a dis