On Saturday, June 24th, 2023, at approximately 1215hrs, I Game Warden 1 was on patrol aboard my patrol vessel on the Colorado River near Upper Davis Camp.  I observed a couple lifeguards pulling people from an overturned Personal Watercraft (PWC), common on this stretch of the river.  I activated my emergency lights and approached from the south, heading upriver.  One lifeguard informed me that the overturned PWC (V2) was damaged and may possibly sink.  The lifeguards had all subjects accounted for and headed to the Arizona shore.  One Lifeguard assisted me by righting V2 and helped to attach a tow line onto the bow.  I towed V2 to the location of the party involved.

Upon reaching shore, the lifeguards assisted detaching the tow rope and stabilizing the sinking PWC (V2) on shore.  I contacted the operator of V2 and identified him as V2 Operator.  Additionally, I contacted the operator of a second PWC (V1) involved and identified him is V1 Operator.  I determined this was a vessel collision with no injuries.  I ran both subjects for wants/warrants through the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) dispatch and both returned clear.  I asked both subjects separately about how much alcohol they had consumed.  V1 Operator stated none.  V2 Operator stated he had a few beers.  I checked V2 Operator's eyes for nystagmus and saw no signs of impairment. 

I asked both V2 Operator and V1 Operator, and both provided a written statement.  Additionally, I asked both V2 Operator and V1 Operator separately to tell me what happened.

V1 Operator stated he was operating his PWC (V1) down river (south) with his wife, V1 Passenger, on the back as a passenger.  He stated he was traveling approximately 20-30mph.  He stated (V2 Operator) turned left right in front of him and he never had an opportunity to decrease speed or turn to avoid, and hit V2 on the (port) side, causing all parties to be ejected from their PWC's.

V2 Operator stated that he was operating his PWC (V2) down river (south) with his 10year-old son (V2 Passenger.) sitting in front of him as a passenger.  After questioning, V2 Operator reiterated that he was driving, not his son.  He stated he was travelling approximately 20-30mph.  He stated that he turned to the left to do a U-turn and head back upriver and was hit immediately on the (port) side at the (stern), causing himself and his son to be ejected into the river.

For both PWC's, I inspected the thrust nozzle for any damage.  I turned the handlebars to the left and ensured the thrust nozzle moved to the left.  I moved the handlebars to the right and ensured the thrust nozzle moved to the right.  The steering mechanical system for both PWC's appeared to be in working order.

I photographed both PWC's.  V1 had minor damage to the front rub rail and was still operable.  V2 sustained catastrophic damage to the port stern area.  I contacted the rental company to inform them that the vessel was no longer operable.  A few moments later, employee with V2 rental company arrived and took possession of their PWC.  When towing V2 away, a 2''x2'' piece of the fiberglass and structure came loose from V2.  Employee of V2 rental company collected the piece and cleared the scene with V2.

I finished taking information down for my report and provided operators the NDOW Report Number and cleared the scene.

Damage to V2:  Game Warden 2 obtained the rental agreement for V2 Operator from rental company later that day.  The rental agreement has “Totaled Ski” circled on the cover page. 

Damage to V1:  On June 26th, 2023, I contacted rental company and they stated there was $1500 worth of damage including the rub rail, bow eye, and parts of the upper keel.
Colorado River
Laughlin                      