On 09/10/10 the operator of unit #1, Operator1 went fishing on the Mississippi River Pool #21.  Operator1's family became concerned after Operator1 did not return home in the afternoon  on 09/10/10.  At about 8:00 PM Operator1's family called the Quincy Police Department  and informed them that Operator1 had not returned home from fishing.  

I was contacted by the Illinois State Police Dispatch at approximately 10:00 PM.  I responded to the scene.  The search for Operator1 was called off until the morning of 09/11/10.  On 09/11/10 the search resumed and Operator1's water craft was located floating on the north side of lock and dam #21, without Operator1.   The boat was towed and seized for inspection.  Search and rescue operations went on through the day of 09/11/10 until called of by the Adams County Emergency Director and Operator1's family.  Aquatech owner and boat mechanic inspected the boat at my request.  At approximately 12:05 PM on 09/11/10 Mechanic called my cellular phone.  

Mechanic stated that when Operator1 brought the boat into his shop on 09/08/10 the motor had approximately (9) nine hours of use on it.  On 09/11/10 Mechanic noticed that the motor had (15) fifteen hours (21) twenty one minutes and (28) twenty eight seconds of use on it.  Mechanic further stated that in the last four hours of the motors use Operator1 attempted to start the motor while in gear (22) twenty two times.  Operator1 also in the (15) fifteen hours of use on the motor attempted to start the motor with the throttle engaged past idle (11) eleven times.  Mechanic also had the information of the last (2) two minutes of run time on the motor which showed the motor ran at 2400-2800-RPM's until it died.  Which showed the motor was turned off or ran out of fuel.  

I told Mechanic that an empty fuel tank was recovered from Operator1's boat.  I asked Mechanic what that information meant.  Mechanic stated that the motor that Operator1 possessed had to be started with the gear in neutral and the throttle closed.  Mechanic further stated that if Operator1 would have started the motor by opening the throttle and pulling the start cord the motor would start, however the motor would only run at idle power / speed.  Mechanic stated Operator1 would have to shut the motor off, close the throttle, pull the start cord to start the motor, put the motor in gear to get full power.  Mechanic stated that Operator1 was attempting to start the motor improperly.  

Mechanic further stated that the error messages are common due to the fact that the old pull start motors had to be started with the throttle open a little to give the motor gas to start.  Mechanic stated middle aged or older individuals that have had pull start motors will still attempt to start their boats in this manner even though its not needed.  Upon speaking with Operator1's wife, I learned that  Operator1 was unexperienced with his new motor and could have contributed to the accident.

On 09/12/10 Operator1 was located deceased floating without a PFD approximately 500 yards  downriver / south of lock and dam #21.  Operator1's body was recovered and transported to Springfield for an autopsy.  On 09/15/10 I spoke with the Adams County Coroner about Operator1's death.  The coroner informed me that Operator1 possessed water in his stomach and sinus cavities which was a finding consistant with drowning.
Quincy                        