On 19 July 2011 at approximately 10:00am Operator was operating his 1978 Alison upstream on Cordell Hull Reservoir. He stated that he struck a submerged object in the water. Operator stated that he continued operating his vessel and noticed that water was coming in his boat. He realized that he was not going to make it back to the boat ramp where he launched his boat. He operated his boat into Doe Creek towards the Free State Bridge to shallow water. Operator''s vessel continued to take on water so he put his lifejacket on and took his Type 4 Throwable Device and jumped into the water. The vessel''s stern sank first and he stated that the bow of the boat was pointed out of the water. Two fishermen came by and saw Operator and his vessel in the water and transported him back to Roaring River Boat Ramp where he launched his boat. He then went into town to call for help. 
I was dispatched to the scene at approximately 11:30am. When I arrived Operator had called a wrecker to come pull his vessel out of the water. They drug his vessel onshore causing more damage to the vessel. I noticed when I arrived that there was not a plug to keep water out of the bilge in place. Operator stated that he did not notice that and believed when he impacted the submerged object that it pulled the plug out causing his vessel to take on water. Operator''s vessel had fiberglass damage to the bow of his boat as well as deep gouges in the cowling of his engine cover. My observations and his statements gave an estimated damage value of $3,000.00. 
This did occur in Jackson County.

GAINESBORO                    