On March 28, 2023, at approximately 6:30 pm, a boating incident occurred between two vessels on lake wylie approximately 300 yards from shore. The first vessel involved was a yellow peinert racing scull, estimated to be 27 feet long. The scull was owned by the catawba yacht club. The second vessel involved was a 2017, 21-foot skeeter bass boat that was owned by operator2. Vessel 2 was grey with red, black, and white graphics. The bass boat was displaying SC numbers with an orange 2026 nc registration sticker on the port side with an orange 2026 nc registration sticker on the starboard side. Weather conditions were clear, waves were calm, light wind, the water temperature was approximately 65 degrees, and the air temperature was approximately 70 degrees. 

Operator1 arrived at catawba yacht club at approximately 4:29 pm. At approximately 5:20 pm, a single person on a racing scull believed to be operator1 passed the pier security camera. Members of the rowing club said that operator1 would often come after work and row to buster boyd bridge and back to the catawba yacht club. The club has its own set of rules, including rowers to keep their starboard paddle close to the shore when heading north and when headed south, the rowers will be more towards the middle of the lake. Due to where the location of the incident is believed to have happened, operator1 is estimated to have been rowing south, towards the catawba yacht club. Operator1 was not wearing a life jacket. 

Operator2 launched his boat, vessel 2, from buster boyd access area around 4:30 pm. Operator2 fished in a few different coves throughout the evening, all south of the buster boyd bridge. After fishing in the snugs harbor cove, operator2 got his vessel up on plane and traveled north back towards buster boyd access area. Operator2 said that he was running approximately 5100 rpms, which he stated is usually around 55 mph for his boat. 

Nc wildlife officers viewed camera footage from the catawba yacht club and through a time speed and distance analysis, operator2 was estimated to have been travelling at 56.3 mph. From his approximate starting point in snugs harbor cove to the incident location is 1.89 miles.  Operator2 said that he was operating like normal, with nothing in his line of sight. 

He then heard something more than chop typically associated with the boat hitting the water when operating. Simultaneously, he looked to the right and saw something yellow. Operator2 immediately pulled back the throttle to slow down the boat. He then looked back and he could see an oar and the debris field. 

Operator2 attempted to ascertain if someone was on the vessel that was hit by asking a person on the bank and members at the catawba yacht club. When he went back to the debris, he noticed a cell phone in the vessel and realized that a person had been hit and called 911. A bass boat believed to be operator2 was seen coming towards the yacht club from security footage at 6:36 pm and then again at 6:37 pm. According to cmpd call notes, operator2 called 911 at 6:43 pm. 

Physical damage to the yellow racing scull, vessel 1, indicates that only one vessel had struck it. There was considerable propeller damage to the bow of the scull and a mark associated with a propeller strike or skeg strike to the operator''s right oar lock. 

The damage showed the direction of travel compared to the yellow racing scull to be coming from the scull operator''s left rear, striking the bow of the scull and operator1, and continuing through the vessel to the right oarlock. The support beam to the right oarlock was bent inwards, showing a large force pushing it in. The green foot stretcher on the vessel had considerable stress marks and the seat of the vessel was found detached from the scull in the water with the debris field. There is a piece of the scull missing, ap...

Lake Wylie
Charlotte                     