RedactedNarrative: On 08/26/19 I ,Game Warden First Class, was alerted by the Effingham County Sheriff's Office to a possible boating incident that took place on 08/24/19. The Sheriff's office had responded to a call involving two bass boats that collided near the highway 119 bridge on the Savannah River. The initial report was that no one was injured but one boat had sustained moderate damage. I was also given the names of the parties involved and their contact information. 
  
  	On 08/30/19 I met with both parties involved in the incident to collect statements and evidence related to the collision. I first met with the operator of vessel one. I collected a statement from Operator1 and photographed the boat involved in the incident at his home. I then met with the owner/operator of vessel two. I met Operator2 where he was storing the vessel. Once there I also collected a statement from Operator2 and photographed his vessel. 
  
  	Based on the statements from the individuals involved and the damage found on both vessels, it is clear that the boat driven by Operator1 collided with the boat driven by Operator2. Both individuals stated  they were part of a bass tournament that was leaving Tuckasee King landing. 
  
  Operator2's vessel was in front of Operator1's vessel as they both traveled down river towards the highway 119 bridge. Operator2 stated  he then came down to idle speed for the bridge. At the same time Operator1 stated he looked down at his GPS unit to see how long it would take him to get to his fishing spot during which time he and was also starting to bring his vessel down to and idle. Operator1  stated that when he looked back up  Operator2's vessel was right in front of him.Operator1 said he could not avoid the collision.  
  
  	Operator1's port side hull struck the starboard stern gunwale of Operator2's vessel and continued down the gunwale of Operator2's boat. As Operator1's vessel traveled down the gunwale of Operator2's boat the stern running light was broken off, a Humminbird helix 10 GPS/Sonar was broken off it's mount and damaged, the windshield on the diver side console was sheered off, and several spots of hull/fiberglass damage was caused. All the damage listed above was sustatined to Operator2's boat.  
  
  	No injuries were reported from this incident. Based on the evidence and statements both written and verbal, it is my conclusion that this incident was caused due to the distraction of Operator1 when he looked at his GPS while operating his vessel. By looking at his GPS unit he lost sight of the river in front of him which inturn was where Operator2's vessel was located.
  