RedactedNarrative: On Saturday, August 25, 2018, I was notified of a boating accident that took place earlier in the day at Young Harris Watersports dock on Lake Oconee.  I was notified around 1600 hours and arrived on-scene at 1700 hours.  Upon my arrival, I met with an employee at Young Harris.  I was advised that Young Harris Watersports had rented a pontoon boat to Operator1.  
  
  Young Harris advised that while undocking the rented pontoon boat Operator1 ran into the back of a docked pontoon boat.  Personnel at Young Harris stated that Operator1 had backed out of the boat slip and was attempting to maneuver forward when she struck the back end of a docked pontoon boat.  They advised that the docked pontoon boat was pushed up onto their floating dock which caused damage to the dock.  Both vessels involved received damage.  
  
  I investigated the damage to V01 and V02 and documented the damage.  The damage on both vessels and the dock were consistent with the accident description that I was given by Young Harris.  The damage showed that V01's bow struck the motor and stern of V02.  Damage to the dock was consistent with V02 being pushed up onto the dock.  The floating dock was cut by the pontoon of V02.  The evidence suggested that V01 struck V02 at an angle that would have put V02's outboard motor between V01's middle pontoon and the starboard side pontoon.  The evidence suggested that upon contact V01's bow road up onto V02's motor and came to rest at the rear seating rail.  Evidence to V02 suggest that during contact the bow line ripped off a port side cleat and port side bow light and bent several pieces of aluminum railing.  When V02 struck the floating dock it caused a nearby witness to stumble and fall.  Witness did seek medical treatment as a result of the fall.  Per a phone conversation with subject, she advised that she suffered a sprained ankle and possibly a stretched ligament. 
  
  I interviewed the Operator1.  Operator1's party had rented this residence.  Operator1's recollection of the events that took place were consistent with that of Young Harris' personnel.  Operator1 stated that she had backed out of the slip, turned the wheel to start a forward movement.  Operator1 stated that she thought she was far enough out to avoid a collision with the pontoon boat she struck.  Operator1 advised that when she went to put the boat in gear that the throttle went all the way down and the boat took off.  Operator1 stated she tried to react but, didn't have time to do so before striking the other boat.  Operator1 stated that her passenger even hollered because the boat accelerated so quickly.  Operator1 stated that she thought there may be a problem with the vessel's throttle.  
  
  The vessel that Operator1 was driving was taken out after the accident by some friends/family of Operator1.  They advised that the vessel drove fine.  When I examined the vessel it was not in the same condition as it was at the time of the accident.  The prop came back damaged due to it striking something underwater.  I moved the throttle back and forth and it appeared to be functioning properly.  The throttle did seem to be very sensitive.  
  
  My conclusion to this accident investigation leads me to believe that this accident happened as a result of Operator1's inexperience operating this particular type of boat. No charges will be filed against Operator1 in this accident.