The County Sheriff's Office received a report of a watercraft collision. A deputy called the reporting party and was told that as WC #1 was leaving the channel by Grass Point, a pontoon boat (WC #2) hit them, causing damage to WC #1. A passenger on WC #2 (the son of Owner #2) refused to give the reporting party the name of Operator #2. The passenger from WC #2 then got on the reporting party's phone to talk to the Deputy. The passenger said WC #1 didn't have its lights on and that was why they hit WC #1. Everyone in the background started yelling that that was a lie.  The Deputy got the passenger's name and other info but not Operator #2's info. There was a lot of yelling going on between the 2 boats and the Deputy thought things might escalate if they were not separated. WC #2 was told they could leave. The Deputy then called the passenger from WC #2. The passenger from WC #2 told the Deputy that they were not moving, and that WC #1 had hit them. The Deputy asked if WC #2's motor was running and the passenger stated no, then yes but they were just putting around when WC #1 hit them. He still would not give the name for Operator #2. The Deputy went to the passenger's house to talk to him, and he finally gave the deputy the operator's info. The Deputy also got all the info for everyone on board WC #2. He talked to Operator #2 who stated that as they came out of the channel, he did not see WC #1 and hit it. He stated he had had a couple of drinks but was ok to be driving. (No BAC was obtained as this was much later in the day.) The Deputy also spoke to all the other occupants from WC #2 but no one had more information.

The Deputy spoke to everyone from WC #1 and was told that as they came out of the channel, WC #2 came up from behind them and hit them in the right side of the boat, throwing two passengers forward about 4 feet. One later went to the doctor and was treated for a broken rib.

Life jackets were not being worn in either boat. Alcohol may have been a factor in WC #2, but no BAC was obtained. There was damage to both watercraft.
Gull
Lake Shore                    