On 06/19/11 at approximately 6:30 PM, I (CPO) was notified by ISP of a boat accident that had occurred on the Des Plaines River.  I arrived at the scene approximately five minutes later where Channahon Fire and Rescue were on the scene.
I was advised by the operator/owner of the boat that he was traveling upstream on the Des Plaines River in his 1977, 19 ft., Sunkist Tiger when he thought he hit a submerged object that caused significant damage to the stearn of the boat and the watercraft began taking on water.  Operator and the other two passengers began paddling for the south shore.  Approximately 50 yards from the shore and outside of the navigational channel the boat sank.  All three subjects had their lifejackets on and were able to swim to shore where they were met by Channahon fire and rescue and EMS.  All three subjects declined medical attention.  
I asked Operator if he had consumed any alcohol that day and he said he had one earlier in the day.  I could not smell any alcohol on Operator and he did not appear to be intoxicated.  I advised Operator the watercraft would need to be removed from the waterway and he said he would call Harborside Marina the following day to have the boat pulled from the water.  After obtaining the subjects information and filling out the Illinois Boating Crash Report, I explained and gave Operator his copy of the report.  
The next day I tried calling the phone number given to me by operator to gather further information, but was told that I had the wrong number.  I then tried the phone number given to me by occupants and left a message asking them to return my phone call.  The watercraft is still submerged in the river at this time.

Wilmington                    