On 12-20-2012, I ( CPO) was contacted and informed by the ISP District 13 telecommunication of a watercraft that had capsized on Crab Orchard lake in Williamson county at 10:30 AM (911 call made by operator). USFW officers had responded to the scene already. All four subject''s were removed from the water by Officer''s. The wind conditions were WSW gusting to 55 degrees.  All four subjects were treated by Carterville EMS at Route 13 boat ramp and they refused any further treatment. The subjects all stated that they had been duck hunting on the east side of Pine Island when the wind began gusting. They picked there decoys up and began to travel back to West end Boat ramp. When they passed the south point of Pine Island and were traveling SW to the boat ramp the wave were much worse from the gusting wind. The operator was located at the stearn of the boat. Passengers were seated in the middle seat of the jon boat. Passenger was seated at the bow of the boat.

     All passenger''s and operator told me that a large wake came over the bow of the boat and Bow rider tried to move to the rear of the boat to keep the bow from taking on water. At this point the stearn of the boat began taking on water and the boat began to sink. They stated that the boat then capsized and only Bow rider was wearing the PFD. The other PFD''s floated away from them. The operator got his cell phone out and called 911 at 10:30 AM they were picked up by USFW officer''s at 10:50 AM. 

     The operator told me they had "way to much stuff". They told me they had approximately 5 dozen duck decoy''s, four 12 gauge shotguns,four hunting shell bags, the 9.9 Nissan four stroke motor, a trolling motor and a battery besides there persons. I contacted Lowe boat manufacture and spoke to the factory. He told me that the rating on capacity of the Lowe 1982 14 foot 14BJ was 750 pounds including motor, persons, and  all equipment.  The combined weight of just the 4 individuals is 842.

The operator was issued the above listed citation and written warnings for the violations.

The only missing equipment is a 12 gauge Mossberg 835 shotgun belonging to N. Bow rider (serial # unknown) and the 9.9 Nissan four stroke motor 1999 year model motor belonging to brother of the operator.

Marion                        