On 05-26-2012, at approx 1709 hrs, a vessel carrying 9 occupants struck a tree that was under the surface of the water.  The vessel was traveling East towards Shady Creek Marina when operator drove the vessel thru an area that has trees.  The tree knocked a hole in the underneath side of the vessel about 1 foot from stern on the mid line of the vessel.  The size of the hole in the bottom was about 1 foot in diameter. The hole in the bottom off vessel caused the vessel to take on water and sink.  All the occupants on the vessel were able to put on their PFD''s and float in the water until a passing boat picked 6 of them up and NRO picked up the remaining three. NRO towed to vessel to Shady Creek Marina where it was able to be loaded onto its trailer.  All the seats in the vessel along with its contents floated out of the vessel while it was in the water. It is unknown if the owner and his friends walked the shore line to pick up the items.  The boat was over capacity by 3 persons, but the over capacity did not have anything to do with the vessel sinking.  The vessel had all the safety requirements before they floated off or sank.  The vessel was not insured and the owner stated that he was not going to repair it.  He stated to NRO that he would try to part out the vessel, if anything was still good.
El Dorado                     