RedactedNarrative: Vessel #1 (V1) – 1975, 15' Sunset Runabout Open Motorboat w/85 hp Mercury Outboard Engine
  Vessel #2 (V2) – Mooring Barge – No other information provided
  
  On 09/04/2017, at about 01:57 p.m., these two vessels were in the Columbia River, at the East end of Cochran Road, located near Kennewick, WA in Benton county.  
  
  According to Law Enforcement, V1, had left a primitive boat launch located at the above location.  As he transited away the vessel's steering and throttle cables wavered and caused him to hit a moored barge in the area. 
  
  At about 02:27 p.m., Officers arrive on scene.  The victim, Operator1, had already been transported to the hospital.  According to witnesses at the scene, Operator1 had launched this vessel from the primitive boat launch and transited into the river.  Within a few minutes, witnesses heard a loud crash and observed Operator1's vessel turning in circles in the vicinity of the barges moored off Cochran Road.  This particular barge is a mooring barge utilized to tie off other barges.  It is surrounded by large tires chained to the vessel that act as fenders.  
  
  One of the witnesses, Witness, advised Officers he thought the vessel's maneuvering was suspicious.  Witness then got on his PWC and headed to the vessel to see if Operator1 (whom he did not know) was doing OK.  Witness stated that upon contact, he observed Operator1, still in the vessel, bleeding profusely and going in and out of consciousness.  He noted that there was substantial damage to Operator1's vessel.  Witness then proceeded to tow Operator1's vessel in by grabbing it with one hand while he operated his PWC towards shore.  Upon reaching shore, another witness got his boat to intercept Witness and assist him with bringing Operator1 back in.  Once on shore, responding deputies and medics arrived and were able to tend to Operator1 prior to transporting him to the hospital.  
  
  Investigation of Operator1's vessel revealed that he most likely lost control of the vessel.  With the combination of loss of throttle control and faulty steering, he collided with the barge on the vessel's port side gunnel.  This in turn caused his vessel to flip topside into the barge thus striking the windshield and bow of the boat. Due to concave steering wheel damage, it appeared that the force of impact caused Operator1 to smash into it.
  
  1 Injury / 0 Fatalities
  No Apparent Alcohol Involvement
  V1 was reported as a “Total Loss” with an estimated value of $1,000 / No V2 information available
  V1 Operator was not wearing a PFD / No V2 information available
  V1 Operator did not have a mandatory Boater Education card / No V2 information available