RedactedNarrative: On Saturday, July 23, 2022, at approximately 13:01 hours, I, Game Warden 1, a POST certified peace officer with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, received a phone call from Georgia State Patrol (GSP) dispatch in Cartersville, Georgia stating that a boating incident had occurred just north of Bethany Bridge near Red Top Mountain State Park in Bartow County.  Dispatch informed me that it was between a pontoon and a Personal Watercraft (PWC).  Upon arrival at approximately 14:28 hours, I observed a white pontoon, Georgia registration, anchored near the shoreline and the occupants waved us over.  Game Warden 2 and I approached the vessel, confirmed that it was the one involved in the incident, and confirmed that there were no injuries.  The operator of the PWC, Florida registration, returned as soon as he noticed our patrol vessel.  Game Warden 2 had a short conversation with PWC operator, V2 Operator, and confirmed that he was not injured and there was no damage to the PWC.
  
  While GW 2 was interviewing V2 Operator, I asked V1 Operator, the operator of the pontoon (rented from Holiday Harbor Marina & Resort by Witness), what happened.  V1 Operator said that he was pulling two passengers on a tube into the main waterway in a large sweeping lefthand turn at about 15 miles per hour.  He noticed the PWC approaching from his right and tried to signal that he was pulling tubers.  V1 Operator said that V2 Operator appeared to be trying to pass behind his vessel when he seemed to notice the tubers and corrected in the direction of the bow.  V2 Operator then struck the right side of the pontoon behind the operator leaving a sizeable dent in the aluminum.  V1 Operator estimated that they noticed each other (made eye contact) when they were approximately 50’ to 100’ apart.
  
  I then asked V2 Operator what happened.  V2 Operator said that he was operating the PWC out past the island and was turning back into the cove when he saw the pontoon.  He said he was going to pass behind the pontoon but noticed the tubers and tried to change direction.  When he did it was too late, and he struck the pontoon.  GW 2 and I explained to V2 Operator the rules of the road and how he was not travelling where he should have been when coming back into the cove.
  
  On Monday, July 25, 2022, I talked with Employee from Holiday Harbor Marina & Resort.  She said the damage to the pontoon exceeds $2000.00.