RedactedNarrative: Operator of Vessel #1 stated he was traveling down river (north) on the Oregon side of the Snake River, at Cochran Islands when he moved closer to the Idaho side of the river to merge into the main channel, a second vessel he had observed up river was beside him and he was unable to avoid striking Vessel #2 with the bow of his boat. 
  
  The Vessel struck bow to bow with the bow of Vessel #2 striking at a lower point on the bow of Vessel #1. The force of the vessels hitting, along with the operators turning away from the impact, caused the sterns of the vessels to collide damaging both vessels and causing breaches in the hulls. The occupants of both vessels were thrown around inside their respective vessels. Two passengers and the operator of Vessel #1 were thrown into the water and were recovered by the operator and the passenger of Vessel #2. 
  
  The operator of Vessel #2 states he was traveling down river, north, on the Snake River passing Cochran Islands when he observed Vessel #1 on the Oregon side of the river. The operator of Vessel #2 states he believed the other vessel was going to go straight out past the islands but for a reason unknown to him, the operator of Vessel #1 suddenly cut between two of the islands and headed straight for his vessel. The operator of vessel #2 states he came off the throttle and tried to turn away from Vessel #1 but was unable to avoid being struck. The vessels struck bow to bow. Operators of both vessels attempted to turn away causing them to strike at the sterns of both vessels. The impact caused the 3 of the occupants from vessel 1 to fall out of the boat, and into the river. The operator of vessel #2 states that he picked up the occupants that were in the river and helped them back on their boat. Then they returned to Hellar bar where the injured were transported to the local hospital.
   
  Improper lookout, excessive speed were factors.  Operator1 had been drinking but was not arrested for alcohol.