On 9/7/2013 @ 8 am, Operator contacted Officer stating he had gotten his boat stuck last night on the Mississippi River Pool 11 between Finleys Landing & Waupeton at approximately 9 pm. At 8:30 am on 9/7/2013 Officer was also contacted by Park Ranger stating a large cabin cruiser boat was completely out of the water up on the main bank of the Mississippi River on the rocks. Officer took pictures of the boat & noticed an empty Busch Light beer can on the floor directly underneath the steering wheel but no other coolers or beverage containers on board the vessel.  Operator reported he was heading down river when he ran into shore. He also stated he was navigating solely by his GPS unit & not physically looking in front of him. After several questions from Officer it was determined: Operator didn't report the incident immediately because he didn't think anything could be done if he called.  He called a friend to pick him up who attempted to pull the boat off the shore with no luck. Operator initially stated he only removed the GPS & his wife's purse from the boat. Operator then stated they had taken food with them in case they had decided to spend the night & removed the coolers when they were picked up by the friend.  Operator also stated that they had gone out on the river at approximately 5:30 pm & spent the evening cruising upstream.  When they started heading home it was completely dark & he realized he was getting off course on his GPS unit and needed to make a correction to the steering wheel. He corrected the steering wheel the wrong way & hit shore. Operator stated they were cruising at about 25-30 mph with his wife sitting in the passenger seat next to him. Neither subjects were wearing life jackets. Operator was issued a citation for reckless operation of a watercraft
WAUPETON