On July 14, 2023, at approximately 13:02 hours, Officer responded to a possible two-vessel collision on Lake Cumberland in the South Fork Woodson Bend area. Upon arrival, I made contact with the operator/owner of v2. Operator stated that he was boating on the South Fork River just below the Woodson Bend Dock area. Operator2 stated a Yamaha personal watercraft with passenger cut in front of his vessel causing a collision, Operator2’s vessel impacted the Yamaha personal watercraft operated by Operator1 and his brother. 

Operator2’s vessel impacted the personal watercraft on the starboard side passing over the personal watercraft striking both operator and passenger. Operator2 and passengers aboard his vessel pulled the two injured out of the water and was assisted by their father.  The two injured brothers were transported to the Woodson Bend Dock by Operator2’s vessel where they were met by Somerset/Pulaski County EMS. The Pulaski County Corner responded to the scene where he pronounced them deceased.

I Officer, responded to the scene. I checked Operator2 to see if he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and he was not. Both parties as well as passengers gave written and verbal statements depicting the same thing. Both stated the boys on the jet ski turned out at nearly a 90 degree turn into the path of the vessel being driven by Operator2. Both parties also stated Operator2 tried to make a turning maneuver to avoid the jet ski but was unable to do so. I had Marine Assist come pickup both vessels so they could be trailered and taken off the water to investigate the accident. Ofc. and I escorted both vessels back to Marine Assist’s facility where we investigated the accident. Measurements of damage and transfer were taken from both vessels. The results from the investigation matched statements given by both parties. 

Estimation of Damage
Vessel 1 sustained serious damage throughout the entirety of the vessel. The vessel was deemed to be a total loss and I am awaiting to here from the owners what the insurance company is going to quote the worth of the vessel.
Vessel 2 sustained minor fiberglass damage as well as paint transfer. A portion of the skeg was damaged as well. 
 
Applicable Laws and Regulations
Code of Federal Regulations 
 
83.05 Look-out (Rule 5).
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.
 
Vessel 1 failed to comply with this rule as neither the driver nor passenger saw the path of vessel 2 by pulling directly out in front of them. 
 
3.06 Safe speed (Rule 6).
Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions. 
Both vessel 1 and 2 failed to comply with this rule to be able to slow down and avoid collision
 
Summation of findings
After looking at both vessel’s damage and obtaining statements from both parties, it was evident that the operator of vessel 1 never saw vessel 2 pulling out at nearly a 90 degree angle directly in front of them. The rate of speed and abrupt change of course didn’t allow vessel 2 to avoid colliding with vessel 1.

Lake Cumberland
BURNSIDE                      