On July 1st, 2023, at approximately 1500hrs a vessel collided with a cliff resulting in non-life-threatening injuries and extensive damage to one sole vessel. The vessel had three occupants on board. There was intermittent cloud cover at the time of the collision, temps in the mid 80F’s, clear visibility, 10-15 mph winds, waves less than 6 inches in height, and water temps in the mid 60Fs. The collision occurred on a reservoir with a slight current. The boat was traveling downstream with the current under engine power.

The operator of the vessel was likely intoxicated at the time of the collision as indicated by an investigation shortly after the incident and an abundance of empty alcoholic beverages laying about the floor of the vessel. The operator had a BAC of .09 approximately one hour and five minutes after the collision. 

The operator was piloting the vessel downstream at a high rate of speed in a 300ft wide canyon with tall cliffs on either side. The operator looked over his right shoulder momentarily. Upon turning back around and looking forward, the operator realized he had put the vessel into an unintended left turn towards the cliff wall. The operator decreased the throttle significantly while making a hard right turn to correct. As the boat began to turn right it struck near the point of a cliff wall at approximately 20 mph on river left.

The steering wheel is located on the portside of the vessel. The operator was thrown into the steering wheel upon impact bruising his chest and legs. The operator likely fractured his right wrist. Passenger 1 was sitting in the starboard passenger seat and bruised his legs under the console. Passenger 2 was sitting in the back seat and was thrown forward without sustaining any injuries. None of the three occupants were wearing personal flotation devices during the collision. None of the three occupants were thrown from the vessel into the water. A responding officer splinted the operator’s wrist. The operator refused a medical/ambulance evaluation. The two passengers refused medical/ambulance evaluations.

The bow of the boat was smashed in with an approximate 2-foot-long hole and two large cracks running lengthwise along the top of the console. The metal steering wheel was completely bent forward from the chest of the operator striking it, all three seats on the vessel were detached from the floor, and the hull was filled with 6 inches of water. The vessel did not sink.

The operator was cited for operating a boat while intoxicated. The operator had less than 15 hours piloting the vessel. It is probable that alcohol, inexperience, and high rates of speed led to the boat collision with the cliff wall.
HOLTER LAKE/MISSOURI RIVER
HELENA                        