On 09/16/23, I State Game Warden  investigated a boat accident at the Port Aransas ship channel.  Vessel 1 was underway in the center of the ship channel and Vessel 2 was underway toward Vessel 1.  While vessel 2 was underway toward vessel 1 approaching Vessel 1 on the starboard side.  Operator of Vessel 1 observed and realized that Vessel 2 had the right of way and reduced speed.  Vessel 2 realized that they needed to go pass Vessel 1 or turn away.  Vessel 2 decided to turn to port.  The operator of Vessel 2 described the water as very rough and was afraid of giving the vessel to much throttle as he felt he would lose control and then panicked.  Vessel 1 observed the operator of Vessel 2 trying to turn away from Vessel 1 but while turning reduced power and failed to get out of the way of approaching Vessel 1.  Vessel 1 realized that the accident was unavoidable, so the operator immediately reversed the engines upon contact to reduce impact on Vessel 2.  Upon impact it was observed that Vessel 2 flipped over, and the driver was ejected in the water.  Vessel 2 recover was made and was able to drive away Vessel 1 described that upon impact the operator was afraid of running over the occupant of vessel 2 and immediately shut the engines off on Vessel 1.  According to witnesses on Vessel 1 the operator of Vessel 2 panicked and reduced power and failed to complete the turn to get out of the way.  

Medical attention was sought for Vessel 2 operator but was cleared with no injuries.  Based of the investigation it was found that Vessel 2 operator did not have Boaters Education, was a 1st time operator of a rented personal watercraft, was in violation of 50 ft rule violation and plainly explained he was very inexperienced. It was also found that the Operator of Vessel 2 was wearing PFD and an engine cut off -switch.  Lastly the Operator of Vessel 2 explained to me that he was afraid of loosing control of the vessel and was trying to turn slowly to get out of the way.  Vessel 2 operator explained that minutes before the collision happened a huge barge navigated the pass and caused severe waves.
6093 PORT ARANSAS PASS
Port Aransas                  