LEDYARD — Two people were injured when a 23-foot boat struck a fishing vessel on Cayuga Lake on Aug. 1, according to the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Brian Schenck said deputies responded to the collision at 1:26 p.m. south of Long Point State Park.
A blue 1987 Larson boat operated by John H. Tiaskkun was found resting on top of a 2019 Tracker fishing boat operated by Anthony J. Rapoza.
The investigation determined Tiaskkun’s boat was heading northeast when it struck Rapoza’s vessel, which was troll fishing about 300 feet from shore.
Rapoza and his passenger Paul Davis were both injured in the crash.
Rapoza was airlifted to Upstate Hospital with serious injuries and remains in stable condition.
Davis was taken by ambulance to Upstate Hospital and has been released.
Four passengers on Tiaskkun’s boat were not injured.
Investigators determined Tiaskkun was at fault in the collision.
Safety inspections found no issues with the Tracker boat, but the Larson lacked proper visual distress signals.
Tiaskkun, of Hawthorne, Florida, was cited for reckless operation of a vessel, operating without safety certification and expired visual distress signals.
Multiple fire departments, ambulance services and the Department of Environmental Conservation assisted at the scene.
