It’s No Contest: Cruise Boat Crunches Sheriff’s Jet Boat Mish-A-Nock Crew Was Undergoing Training

The lesson learned on Lake Coeur d’Alene this week is simple: The bigger you are, the harder you hit.

Docks shook and metal crumpled when the 99-ton Mish-A-Nock cruise boat struck the Sheriff’s Department’s brand new jet boat.

The Mish-A-Nock sailed away unscathed.

But at less than 1 ton, the Kootenai County sheriff’s boat’s back end was crumpled.

“It’s the law of gross tonnage,” said Coast Guard Lt. Russ Berg. “The higher the gross tonnage - that’s who wins.”

On Thursday, the Coast Guard still was investigating the Wednesday afternoon accident.

About 20 of the Mish-A-Nock’s crew members were spending the afternoon undergoing training on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Kelly Davis, a captain of the Coeur d’Alene fleet, was learning how to handle the 107-foot behemoth under the guidance of a more experienced captain.

About 2:30 p.m., Davis started sailing the big tub toward its berth at Independence Point.

It chugged past the breakwater, then made a left turn toward home when a gust of wind whipped by, said Berg, who is investigating the mishap for the U.S. Coast Guard.

“The wind was blowing out of the northeast, which is unusual,” he said.

The sheriff’s 20-foot rescue boat was docked at gas pumps nearby. Two marine deputies watched from the dock as the Mish-A-Nock slipped toward their boat.

“It cut a little too close and its left rear hit our left rear and mushed us up against the dock a little bit,” said deputy Lamont Petersen. “We were pretty surprised.”

The blow rocked the dock and smashed the back end of the sheriff’s boat. No one was injured.

The sheriff’s boat was one of eight used to patrol Kootenai County’s waterways. Capt. Ben Wolfinger estimated the damage at more than $10,000.

The boat is being repaired, and marine Sgt. Dan Soumas said he hopes to have it back in service within two weeks.

Despite the mishap, Berg praised Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises for having an excellent safety and training record.

Fred Finney, manager of Coeur d’Alene Cruises, said that in the 28 years he has operated the business, there have been only three accidents - including Wednesday’s.

“Everyone was a little upset,” Berg said. “It’s like telling a significant other you dented the car.”

A report on the mishap will be forwarded to the Coast Guard’s Seattle office. But Lt. Glen Mine said it’s unlikely any citations will be issued.

“The accident happened, basically, due to a little bit of inexperience on the operator’s part,” he said. “We don’t feel there was any negligence or any misconduct.”

Still, playing bumper boats was a bit upsetting for the new captain, Finney said.

“He is a very conscientious young man and very capable young man, and he’s going to make a great captain,” Finney said. “These boats take practice to operate.”

Davis could not be reached but apparently has recovered from the blunder. He was out on the lake again Thursday.

, DataTimes