October 20, 2012 at approximately 6:00am,  operator operated his vessel loaded with 6 passengers. Operator launched his boat from the Shady Creek boat launch located in Iowa and traveled south into Illinois for the purpose of duck hunting.  It was still dark and very foggy.  After crossing the channel, Operator altered his course  to the south west and collided with a concrete channel marker located at river mile marker 464.5.  

Operator failed to slow down to avoid the collision and impacted the channel marker head on at approximately 90 degrees.  NOTE: the light located on top of the channel marker was operational.

A detailed Investigation will be attached with report.

Freeport                      