On 9/9/2012, at about 1:00 pm, a 2000, 62' Cruisecraft Houseboat, "DIXIE CHIC", owned by Lake Roosevelt Leasing Company, hit a submerged object (car) near Stranger Creek located on the Colville Reservation side of Lake Roosevelt.  
 
The operator explained that they had beached the boat, bow in to shore and when they were backing away from shore, Operator put it into reverse turning the stern north in an attempt to head south of the lake.  She said the boat quit working and Subject went to the back of the boat to check.  Subject stated the propeller was caught on something.  The engine had ceased operating at the time.  Subject along with the other ladies on the boat got into the water and had to lift what they called a car bumper off the propeller.  Subject stated she was in about three feet of water.  Once the boat was free Operator began heading south.  Operator stated the engine sounded different and when she look she observed a pink liquid in the water near the propeller.  At some point the engine quit running again.  They radioed the Kettle Falls Marina for assistance with the engine problem but did not inform the Marina workers that the boat had struck a submerged object.
 
Someone responded from the Kettle Falls Marina  to their location that evening and beached the disabled houseboat at a nearby beach.  The houseboat was then pushed to the opposite side of the lake the next day so the renters could disembark.  Due to high winds the houseboat remained beached in the Cloverleaf Campground cove overnight and it was towed back to the Kettle Falls Marina the following day, 9/11/2012.  The boat was taken out of the water that evening.
 
Law enforcement personnel asked the responder if he believed alcohol was involved in this accident and he stated no.  He had not smelled alcohol and did not believe any of the women to have been drinking when he arrived to assist them just after the accident. The Colville Tribe Program Manager was contacted and informed of the accident including possible cars in the water.  Manager stated he was aware of the cars in the water and that he would investigate.
 
There were no injuries.  Damage was estimated at $2,895.53.

Inchelium                     