RedactedNarrative: On February 19, 2017, vessel operator launched a vessel (V2) from William Roe boat ramp on Lake Shipp in Winter Haven, Florida at approximately 5:30 a.m.  Approximately five minutes later, vessel operator1 launched a vessel from the same boat ramp.  V2 was idling across the lake heading west towards the Lake Shipp park.  After V1 launched, he increased speed to keep up with other boat traffic.  V1 did not see V2 directly in front of him and impacted vessel V2's outboard motor and poling platform with the bow of his boat.  There were no injuries associated with the impact.
  
  Operator1 said after he launched his vessel and started to motor across Lake Shipp, three boats passed him on plane causing his boat to rock from side to side.  Operator1 increased his speed in order to keep from getting rocked by other boats.  Operator1 said he did not get on plane, but was moving in the water faster than idle speed.  
  
  Subject was sitting on the forward storage compartment of the boat looking towards the stern, blocking the wind with his back.  Operator1 was standing behind the console holding onto the steering wheel and throttle when he impacted the boat in front of him.  Operator1 said he could not see any navigation lights in front of him before impact.  Subject was knocked forward from where he was sitting, causing his feet to swing straight up into the air.  Operator1 said the operator of the other vessel and himself had to pull the vessels apart because the bow of his vessel was wedged between the motor and pole platform of the other boat.  After making sure everybody was ok, Operator1 helped tow the second damaged boat to the William Roe boat ramp. 
  
  Since Subject was facing backwards, he said he did not see the second vessel before impact.  I asked Subject if the boat he was on was on plane when the boats impacted, he said that he does not think they were on plane, but they were moving faster than idle.
  
  The conditions on Lake Shipp during the impact were as follows:
  Dark/very low light
  Light fog/haze
  64 degrees F.
  Little to no wind
  Little to no chop on water
  Congested waters with several vessels checking in for local bass fishing tournament
  