Yes, I can think of several right of way rules, safety and just common sense items that were broken by Perdock in this case. He could just as easily hit a floating log, dock, barge, piling, or the shore for that matter. Amazing that this case has not focused on the negligence of the person admittedly operating a boat at high speed on a moonless night in a heavily used area. To me there is no doubt that he knowingly put himself, his crew, his vessel, and others on the water at risk by operating in such a manner.

It gets even better: According to Latitude 38:

"The deputy has since filed suit against Weber and Bismarck, claiming they caused his divorce and his emotional distress."