RedactedNarrative: On 4/15/2022 at approximately 10:30 AM, I, Sgt was dispatched to a vessel incident on Bartholomew Lake in Morehouse Parish. Upon arrival I made contact with both vessel operators. After interviewing both operators, it was determined that, V1 was being operated north on Bartholomew Lake by Operator1 when it approached V2 which was being operated south on Bartholomew Lake by Operator2. The vessels were both on plane and traveling at a moderate speed. The vessels were being operated bow to bow.
  
  
  According to the testimony of Operator1, prior to the vessels colliding, the operator of V1 made an immediate maneuver to the port side. The operator of V2 made an immediate maneuver to the starboard side. V1 made contact with the port side of V2 with the bow of the vessel. Operator1 advised that he could not turn to starboard due to there being trees on his starboard side.  
  
  According to the testimony of Operator2 and the passenger of V2 as the vessels approached, V2 operator attempted to make an evasive maneuver to his starboard side to avoid collision. They advised that the operator of V1 made evasive maneuver to port side of his vessel. After observing that the operator of V1 made a portside maneuver, V2 operator attempted to maneuver back to his port side. After Operator2 overcorrected his path, the operator of V1 over corrected his path and turned back to the starboard side, which ultimately caused the collision. 
  
  After conducting my investigation, I determined that V1 was on the proper side of the channel (right side), and V2 was in the center or left side of the channel. I determined that V1 made an evasive maneuver to the port side, and V2 made an evasive maneuver to the starboard side. Due to V2 not being on the appropriate side of the channel, as required by the established Rules of the Road, this aided in the vessel collision. Due to V1 not properly reducing his speed efficiently to avoid collision and also not turning to his starboard side, as required by the established by the Rules of the Road, he made contact with V2, the approaching vessel. Both vessels were not being conducted at a safe speed, which aided in the vessel collision.
  
  The operator was the only occupant in V1. V2 had 2 occupants. The passenger of V2 was transported by Acadian Ambulance Service to be treated as a precaution, due to discomfort and soreness. Drugs and/or alcohol use is not suspected to be a factor in this vessel incident. The passengers of both vessels were wearing Type III PFDs at the time of the incident. Both operators advised that they were wearing their engine cutoff lanyards. 
  
  Both operators were issued citations for violation of R.S. 14:99 - Reckless Operation Of A Vessel (Rules Of The Road - Rules 1 & 16)
  