O-1  and his nephew P-1  were fishing in a 12 foot Alumacraft boat (WN 7113 RD0 and (FL 7322 ET) on Lake Goodwin that O-1 had just purchased.  O-1 was standing at the stern of the vessel in an attempt to start the Mercury 9.8 hp outboard motor.  O-1 did not realize the motor was  in gear and when the motor started, it threw O-1 to the port side of the  boat causing water to come over the port side gunwhale, which swamped the small vessel.  O-1 and P-1 were not wearing PFD's at the time of the incident, but had them readily available and were able to don them quickly.  A PWC that was nearby witnessed the incident responded immediately, and was able to tow both O-1, P-1, and the boat to a dock on the east shore of the lake which was roughly 100 yards away.  W-1 lived at that residence and called 911 to report the boating accident.  O-1 told me he had very little boating experience and was unfamiliar with the boat prior to the incident. O-1 told me he lost all of this brand new fishing poles and tackle to the bottom of the lake.  The boat came back clear and O-1 was able to show a bill of sale from the prior Washington registered owner.  The boat was drained on shore and towed back to the boat launch by W-1.  The launch is located at Wenberg County Park where O-1 had originally launched.
Stanwood                      