On 5/6/2012 at approximately 3:30 pm operator was operating his 18' jet powered boat at a cruising speed on the Skykomish River after launching at the Lewis Street launch near the town of Monroe in Snohomish County.  The river in this area is wide and has few obstructions other than gravel bars, islands and down trees. The boat was a low profile speed type boat with a horsepower rating of 400 HP.  There were 4 people on board the vessel. As the boat was speeding on the water, it apparently crossed shallow water where the jet pump intake picked up some rocks from a gravel bar just below the surface.  The rocks were sucked into the jet pump housing were then blown through it ( the housing was made of aluminum) making 3 holes and destroying the pump assembly and housing.  The boat could not be operated and began to drift downstream.  The operator had the passengers put on life jackets to be safe and shortly after the boat ran aground on a gravel bar.   

 Estimated damage of the 1973 vessel was in excess of $2,000.00. There were no injuries.

Monroe                        