SYNOPSIS:
PWC vs BOAT ACCIDENT WHERE THE OPERATOR OF THE PWC IS INJURED.

NARRATIVE:
Observed a pre-page for an ambulance to respond to an address.  A 21 year old male was injured in a boating accident.  The injured was on board a boat and they were bringing him into shore near that reported address.

I was on 800 North in Laketown and began my response.  I told dispatch the address was in the Vista Grande area and asked if the dispatcher could have them bring the boat into the dock at the First Point boat ramp.

I arrived at the boat ramp and did not observe a red and white boat close to the area.  Ranger arrived on scene and noticed a red and white boat coming in slowly.  Ranger arrived on scene and assisted with tying the boat to the dock and starting to converse with the injured and the other passengers.

The injured identified himself.  He said he had been operating the PWC (vessel #2) and hit the starboard stern of the swim platform of the boat.  His right leg was in a lot of pain.  Operator 1 identified himself as the operator of the boat (vessel #1).  They focused on assisting the EMTs when they arrived while I focused on gathering information for this report.

I first asked where the PWC that was involved in the accident was.  Operator 1 indicated that taken it back to the rental place at Rendezvous Beach to return it.  He had dispatch notify the Rendezvous Beach Rentals to be looking for the PWC that was involved in the accident.

I gathered verbal statements from multiple passengers that were on the boat.  Operator said he was operating the boat at a speed of 10 to 12 mph , with the engine trimmed up, so as to create a large, deep wake so that Operator 2 could "jump the wake."  This was confirmed by other passengers.  Operator 2 told me he was trying to find the biggest part of the wake that he could.  The passengers on board the boat were encouraging 2 to "jump" the wake and for 1 to keep creating a large wake.  1 indicated that he kept the boat on a straight path, not turning it in either direction.  Occupants provided identification/DLs for her and Operator 2 and told me they had recently moved. 

Operator 2 (on vessel #2) continued in a back and forth manner of operation behind the boat (vessel #1) when slightly before the impact, Operator 2 was far to the right of vessel #1, turned sharply to his left, and at a high rate of speed, impacted vessel #2 into the starboard side of vessel #1's swim platform.  2 said to me that it was close to a 90 degree angle of impact.  1 estimated the speed of vessel #2 to be between 25 and 35 mph.  Based upon the extent of the damage I estimate the speed to be closer to 35 mph.  The impact of vessel #2 with Vessel #1 caused Operator 2 to be thrown from the PWC.  I'm unable to determine whether 2's right leg impacted with either the handlebars of the PWC or the port side of the swim deck of vessel #1 as he was thrown off of the PWC.

Operator 2's was transported to Logan Regional Hospital by ambulance.

I had Operator 1's load the boat on the trailer and I was able to take photos of the boat and its damage.  I noticed the boat and the boat's trailer both had expired registrations.  1 told me he had rented the boat from a another, with cell phone number.  1 could not provide me with a copy of a rental agreement, but said he had one.  1 looked on his phone fro emails, but could not find any with a rental agreement.  

The damage to Vessel #1:  Impact causing damage to break/punch a hole through the fiberglass, just above the rub rail, on the starboard stern corner where the swim deck extends from the transom of the boat.  This includes damage to the rub rail and the surrounding gel coat above and below the rub rail.

Operator 1 needed to pick up from Rendezvous Beach.  I also needed to go to Rendezvous Beach to gather information and photos of the PWC involved in the accident.

At Rendezvous Beach, I took photos and gathered my information for vessel #2.  The damage to vessel#2 included some gel coat cracking above the rub rail.  It also included two obvious breaks in the fiberglass that are deeper than the gel coat, just below the rub rail on the forward portion of the starboard side of the PWC.  The starboard sponson was also damaged with a piece broken off and had hairs of fiberglass from vessel #1 embedded in the edges.  It is highly likely that the sponson is what "punched" the hole in the fiberglass of vessel #1. 

When Operator 1 arrived with the boat, we were still unable to determine actual ownership and current registration for vessel #1.  I decided we needed to impound the trailer of vessel #1 and its trailer.  The details of the impound will be in a supplement to this report.

On 8/20/2023, Owner called the park phone number and left a message for the officer to call him back.  In the evening I called him and left a message.  He called me back and claimed he was the owner of the boat and the trailer.

On 8/21/2023, I changed the owner of vessel #1 from being unknown to him.  Also on 8/21/2023 I issued a citation to Operator 2, for his fault in the accident.  I also issued a citation to owner -, as he was the reported owner of the boat who was renting the boat with no current registration, no insurance evidence at the time of the accident, along with 3 livery (boat rental) company requirements.
Bear Lake
Laketown                      