RedactedNarrative: Vessel – 1957, 21’ Wooden Chris Craft Capri Open Motorboat w/175 hp Hercules Inboard Engine
  
  On 06/05/2016, at about 02:20 p.m., this vessel was cruising on Lake Washington, near the west high rise of the Hwy 520 bridge, located near Seattle, WA in King county.  
   
  According to Law Enforcement Operator was cruising at less than 7 kts northbound through the channel underneath the west high rise of Hwy 520 floating bridge.  The channel is marked with temporary channel buoy markers.  A new floating bridge is being constructed so the channel consists of a high rise of the new floating bridge as well as the old floating bridge and high rise.  There are also numerous construction barges in the area assisting with the construction of the new bridge.
   
  Operator told Law Enforcement that the channel was congested with numerous boats traveling both north and south through the channel.  The channel is marked with speed limit signs limiting speed to 7 kts.  According to Operator, he believes several boats were traveling faster than 7 kts based on the wake the other vessels were producing.  
   
  The sea state on the lake this day was very rough due to numerous boats on the lake.  It was also very rough in the channel.  Operator was traveling on the right side of the channel.  He reported that a 50 foot plus cabin cruiser was traveling southbound through the channel.  Operator believes this vessel was producing a large wake as he was motoring south.  The vessel had passed him and when the wake of the passing vessel reached him, the wake caught his boat and forced his vessel into the bridge face causing extensive damage to the starboard bow of this boat.  Operator attempted to steer out of the wake but couldn't because the force of the wake reduced and took away his steering capability.  
   
  There was no damage to the bridge face.  Operator was able to motor his boat to a dock where he called to report the incident.  He did not have any additional information on the other vessel.  
   
  0 Injury / 0 Fatalities
  There was no apparent alcohol involved 
  Vessel damage was estimated at $20,000
  The Operator was not wearing a PFD
  The Operator did have a mandatory Boater Education Card
  