Gov. Bill Richardson's chief of staff, Brian Condit, was at the wheel of an 80-foot houseboat with the governor aboard when it damaged two other boats and two Jet Skis while trying to dock at a Southern New Mexico marina over the Labor Day weekend.

No one was injured in the accident at Elephant Butte Lake State Park. However, the collisions caused more than $12,000 in damage to the watercraft and marina, according to a report released Wednesday by the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.

State Department of Finance and Administration Secretary Katherine Miller was also aboard the 90-ton houseboat, the report shows, as was the craft's owner, Leon "Skip" Fay of Rio Rancho and Brenda Fay. Two members of the governor's security detail were also on the houseboat.

The report gave the houseboat's name as the Bloody Mary, although an online boat registration site appears to list the same boat under the name "Bloody Merry."

Condit told investigators he hadn't been drinking, and Leon Fay told them he also had not been drinking.

The report said Condit, 54, had fewer than 10 hours of operator experience and no operator education. Condit was cited for two petty misdemeanors, "prohibited operation for operating a vessel in a negligent manner and damaging another person's property," the report said.

Condit issued a statement accepting responsibility for the mishap.

"While I have experience with boats, I was not experienced enough to attempt to navigate an 80-foot boat into the marina," Condit said. "Once I realized my mistake, I turned the boat over to the owner who was not able to prevent the boat from impacting another docked boat.

"I take full responsibility for my role in the accident and will not contest the citation."

Condit has been in Richardson's administration since 2003. He has been director of legislative and political affairs for the governor and the deputy chief of staff since 2004.

Before joining the administration, Condit worked as executive director of the New Mexico Building Trades Council. He also is a former president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in the state.

Condit was attempting to dock the boat Saturday evening, the report said.

"As he started to turn, he tapped a boat with the rear of Mr. Fay's boat and yelled for Mr. Fay to come and take over," the report states. "Mr. Fay took over the helm after the impact, and at some point the vessel accelerated. Mr. Fay was able to slip the boat after the impact."

Fay didn't return a call seeking comment Wednesday.

According to a statement he gave investigators, Fay regained control too late and was unable to stop the collision.

"As the owner and captain, I accept full responsibility," he wrote in a statement.

Damage to his 2000 Sharpe houseboat was estimated at $2,000 and included damage on the railings and canvas on both sides and a hole in the canvas.

Another houseboat, known as the Floating Irish, sustained damage to an 8-foot area of the deck "where the end of the deck was pushed in and under the upper deck flooring. Areas under the damaged top deck were buckled from the crushing damage adjacent to the spiral stair case," the report states.

The dollar estimate for damage to that boat was $10,000.

Owner Randal O'Leary said Fay's insurance company had contacted him and is working on the case. He wasn't at the lake at the time of the accident but said the damage is repairable and he's satisfied with the steps the insurance company has taken so far.

Another houseboat, unnamed, had a 6-inch scratch in a back rail, and two Jet Skis sustained damage on both sides, the report states.

One eyewitness, Sam Camilli, told investigators he was on his houseboat near the scene of the accident, and the impact "seemed to shake the whole marina."

The report says the Condit-piloted houseboat was traveling under 10 miles per hour during the incident.

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog at www.greenchilechatter.com.