RedactedNarrative: Vessel #1 (V1) –- 2021, 18’ Ranger VX1988 Open Motorboat w/3 Outboard Engines – Manufacturer/HP Unknown
  Owner/Operator – V1 Operator
  Occupant – V1 Passenger
  
  Vessel #2 (V2) – 1989, 17’ Duckworth Open Motorboat w/2 Yamaha Outboard Engines – 123 HP
  Owner/Operator– V2 Operator
  Occupant – V2 Operator’s Brother – No Other Information Provided
  Witness – Witness
   
  On 09/22/2021, at about 08:55 a.m., these two vessels drifting/back trolling on the Columbia River just North of the Ringold Fish Hatchery, located near Richland, WA in Franklin County.
  
  The Operator of V2, V2 Operator, reported that he was backtrolling for salmon at the above location, near the wooden power lines.  V1, Operated by V1 Operator, was trolling down river.  V1 Operator was having trouble with his remote steering.  V2 Operator heard V1 Operator yelling and looked up to see a vesse; heading straight for his vessel.
  
  V1 Operator engaged his big outboard engine and gunned it to try and turn.  This caused V1 Operator’s vessel to turn but drove the side of his vessel into the bow of V2 Operator’s vessel, ripping off the step platform and his electric trolling motor.  The impact was enough to knock both V2 Operator and his brother off their seats in the vessel.  V2 Operator stated that there was no horn warning, but he did hear V1 Operator yelling just before impact.  
  
  The witness was in another boat and volunteered to be a witness for V2 Operator.  Witness stated that V1 Operator’s head was down in the boat, and he was not watching where he was going.  V1 Operator had told him he was having problems with his remote steering all morning and that he was sorry.  V1 Operator stated that the accident was his fault.
  
  0 Injuries
  0 Fatalities
  No Apparent Alcohol Involvement
  V1 Vessel Reported as a Total Loss w/Estimated Value of $60,000 / V2 Damage Estimated at 4,000
  V1 Operator Was Not Wearing a PFD / V2 Operator Was Wearing a PFD 
  V1 Operator Mandatory Boater Education Card Unknown / V2 Operator Has a Mandatory Boater Education Card