On september 3, 2023, i, indiana conservation officer, along with conservation officer responded to a report of a boat accident on lake monroe near the fuel docks at four winds marina. Officer and i responded from the law enforcement docks on a department patrol boat. 

Upon arrival i spoke with operator2 who was later identified as operator #2 for this crash report. Operator2 was identified through her drivers license and produced a boater safety assessment course card, that four winds offered. 

Operator2 stated that they were traveling in from boating in a cove just east of the marina. Operator2 stated that she was nearing the idle zone when she noticed a jet ski traveling along the idle zone moving in her direction. Operator2 advised she didn't think that the jet was going to stop and was going to hit them. Operator2 stated that she brought her boat to a stop, and the jet ski collided with her boat on the front left(port side). 

Operator2 stated that she done what she could do to avoid the collision and would have rather had the jet ski hit the boat in the front corner like it did instead of in the middle of the boat where it could have had a greater risk to cause harm to her family that was on the boat. 

Operator2 stated that she had consumed zero alcohol and offered to take a portable breath test. Operator2 showed no signs of impairment so that wasn't necessary. I also spoke to the husband to operator2, who was also on the boat. 

V2 occupant1 basically gave the same story as to what happened. V2 occupant1 stated that he made operator2 aware of the jet ski that was traveling in there direction, but operator2 had already seen the jet ski and was already slowing down to come to a stop. 

Both operator2 and v2 occupant1 stated that the male passenger that was on the jet ski jumped or was thrown off and they got him out of the water and onto their boat. They advised the male was not injured. Operator2 also wanted it noted that the jet ski operators mother arrived on scene and was coaching her on what to say. It should be noted that operator2 and v2 occupant1 had there 2 juvenile children on board with them. Operator2 also stated that she had approximately 24 hours of experience in operating a boat as well as the above mentioned boater safety class. 

I then spoke with operator1 who will be listed as operator #1 for this crash report. Operator1 advised she was leaving the no wake zone from the gas station. She advised that she was traveling about 15 miles per hour and observed the pontoon boat in front of her. 

Operator1 stated that the pontoon boat stopped, and she turned to avoid hitting the pontoon, but a wave from another boat shoved her into the pontoon. She stated that her jet ski has reverse and she tried to avoid colliding with the pontoon but wasn't able to due to the wave. 

Operator1 stated that she had a passenger on her jet ski who was no longer on scene. She called him and i spoke briefly to him. 

I asked v1 occupant to tell me what happened. V1 occupant stated that they were just cruising, riding on the back and water was splashing in his face, and next thing he knew there was a boat in front of us. V1 occupant stated that he jumped off the jet ski before it struck the pontoon. 

V1 occupant advised he boarded the pontoon after the two boats collided. V1 occupant stated that he was not injured in the incident. V1 occupant estimated that operator1 was traveling about 15 miles per hour and was approximately 50 yards away from the idle zone. Operator1 stated that she believes has had about 50 hours of experience in operating a boat but had no formal training class. Operator1 showed no sign of impairment. 

Operator2s boat that she was operating was a rental boat from paradise rental boats. It was bearing indiana registration which returned on a 2021 20 foot g three boats. The boat was insured through peel and holland marine.

Operator1s boat she was operating was bearing indiana registration which returned on a 2023 yamaha jet ski. Operator1s mother provided current insurance information on the jet ski. State farm was the carrier, policy number.

Upon the statements made from the direction the boats were traveling, the pontoon boat had the right of way and the jet failed to give right of way to the pontoon, which resulted in the jet ski colliding with the pontoon.

Monroe Reservoir
Bloomington                   