On Saturday, May 14, 2011 at or around 1721 hours, I was notified of a boat that had swamped with 3 persons in the water near Standing Rock Creek on KY Lake.  Based upon the witness statements and evidence on the scene, a synopsis of the events follows:

Operator and two others had been fishing on KY Lake since 600 hours in a 18'' Phantom Boat.  At or around 1530 hours, they decided to leave Standing Rock Creek and noticed the rough water conditions in the main body of the lake.  They all donned PFD''s and as they entered the main channel on KY Lake, Operator states that the waves started coming over the port stern.  He states the outboard motor then quit which allowed more water to come over the stern.  While Operator tried to get the outboard motor restarted, Occupant1 got on the bow and used the trolling motor to turn the boat back towards Standing Rock Creek.  Waves continued to come over the stern and the boat swamped and they entered the water.  The boat later capsized.  Operator later estimated the waves to be around 3 feet.

At or around 1703 hours, Captain onboard the M/V James Paul Ayers noticed what appeared to be a swamped boat at the mouth of Standing Rock Creek and notified the USCG Sector Ohio Valley.  He ordered deckhands to launch the skiff and investigate.  At 1720 hours, the skiff had located Operator, Occupant1 in the water and occupant2 on shore and brought them back to the M/V where they were allowed to dry off and warm up.  

At 1825 hours, Officer and myself arrived at the M/V.  The victims denied any injury and states they did not require any medical attention.   They stated that they were the only 3 onboard the vessel when it swamped.

We transported Operator, Occupants back to the capsized boat where it was secured with a rope to the south bank of Standing Rock Creek and then transported them to Paris Landing State Park. 

The boat was recovered and trailered on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at or around 1530 hours by Operator. 

The capacity plate on the vessel recommends  "4 persons or 550lbs".   The combined weight of the 3 persons on board was 625lbs.  There did not appear to be any structural damage to the vessel.  There was no evidence of alcohol use on the vessel.

In a later interview, Operator states that his motor will have to be rebuilt.  

Dover Marine states that the rebuild of the motor should cost around $2000-3000.

A verbal warning was given to Operator regarding overloading the vessel.  


DOVER                         