Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a property damage accident that occurred on Winona Lake at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

Conservation Officer Mark Hines was called to the scene and examined two boats which had collided 150 yards south of the north lake shore in the area of the fairgrounds.  A 2000 Riviera Cruiser pontoon boat operated by Richard Cole, 65, of Warsaw, was traveling south when it struck a 1997 Crestliner fishing boat operated by Jan Albertson, 72, of Pierceton.

Albertson’s boat was traveling west trolling for fish when the two collided.  Minor damage was reported to Cole’s boat however extensive damage was sustained by Albertson’s boat.

The damage to both boats was to the starboard (right) sides. The cause of the accident, according to the report, is failure to yield the right of way and restricted vision of the operators. Charges are pending on both operators following review by the Kosciusko County Prosecutors Office.

The report cites both operators to have some degree of fault.

Indiana Conservation Officers report that as the summer season is nearly upon us, boat traffic on our lakes and rivers will become increasingly congested.  Boat operators should give their full attention to other boat traffic around them and drive defensively to avoid unnecessary accidents this boating season.