On September 4, 2011, at approximately 1400 hours, Occcupant 1, Operator, Occupant 2, and victim left Country Club Shore Marina, sailing in occupant 1''s 29 foot sailboat.  They were going for an afternoon sail from the Marina in Polson north to Finley Point State Park, where they were going to have a picnic.

The wind was very calm.  The boat was traveling very slowly, and had only made it out to the middle of Polson Bay, approximately one mile from shore.  While on board, occupant 1 and the victim each drank one glass of wine.  Occupant 2 drank one beer, and the operator did not drink any alcohol.   At approximately 1640 hours, the victim decided to go for a swim, to cool off.    The sail of the boat was up, but the boat appeared not to be moving.  The victim jumped off the back of the boat without a PFD.  After a short time in the water the group realized that the boat was moving slowly.  The boat was drifting away from the victim.  The victim stated "The water is so cold, get me out of here!"  He began swimming back towards the boat.  When he realized that he was not getting any closer he began to yell for help and panic.  The other occupants began to throw a rescue throw-rope and a Type IV Throwable to the victim, but were unable to reach him.  He continued to panic and started going under water.  At approximately 1652 hours occupant 2 called 911 to request some help. The operator then started up the sailboats engine to turn the boat around to get back to the victims location.  By the time the boat was turned around and the victim was next to the boats port side, the victim was beginning to sink.  The operator jumped in and brought him back to the surface, but he was not breathing.  Occupant 1 and 2, who were still on board, attempted to pull the victim out of the water, but they did not have the strength to pull him over the high gunnel of the boat.  After a few attempts occupant 1 jumped into the water and the operator climbed back on board.  The operator attempted to pull the victim out, but also failed.  At approximately 1701 hours Polson EMS arrived by boat.  They pulled the victim out of the water, into the rescue boat and began CPR and transported him to St Joseph Medical Center in Polson.  The victim was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Polson                        