On June 27, 2011 at approximately 1:50 p.m., I, Conservation Police Officer was contacted via telephone by a Rend Lake Corps of Engineers Ranger.  The Ranger advised me that their office had been contacted about his boat sinking on Rend Lake at around 10:00 a.m., while under the Route 154 bridge.  I subsequently phoned Operator and met with him at the Jackie Branch boat launch area.  Operator explained to me that he and his girlfriend had got on the lake at approximately 8:30 a.m. to do some fishing.  Operator told me his boat was a 17 foot 1999 Alweld, model number 1748C.  Operator said they fished for awhile on the east side of the lake and then made their way under the Route 154 bridge on the west side of the lake.  Operator said it began to rain heavily and they were protected under the bridge so they stayed in the boat.  Operator told me that he had thrown an anchor out and also had the boat tied off to the bridge itself.  As the wind picked up and the boat began to have waves crash over the sides, Operator said he and girlfriend exited the boat to the near-by bank.  The wind gusts for the day were approximately 20-22 mph.  Operator told me that the boat soon began filling with water and the waves and current under the bridge snapped his tied line.  Operator told me the boat was flipped over by the wind and waves and began to sink.  Operator explained that a short time passed and his boat was completely under.  Operator and occupant then walked up onto State route 154 where they phoned a family member to pick them up.  When I aksed Operator about the reason it took so long to report the incident, he replied simply that, he didn''t know who to call.
Based on the information presented and the statements from the occupants, the hazardous weather coupled with the boat being anchored, and tied off to the bridge caused it to fill with water, flip, and subsequently sink.  
To date the boat has not been recovered.  I, along with my intern escorted Operator onto the lake and recovered the gas tank, tackle box and miscellaneous items from the boat approximatley six hours after the accident.

Whittington                   