On July 6 at approximately 2100 hours, the Operator of Vessel 1 contacted his wife to notify her that he was going night fishing on the Ohio River.  At 0300 hours on July 7, workers from the Meldahl Dam on the Ohio River reported Vessel 1 floating in the area with no one on board.  Authorities were contacted and responded to the scene; subsequent investigation revealed that the truck and trailer associated with Vessel 1 were upriver approximately 2.5 miles at the Chilo Lock 34 Boat Ramp.  The truck was found to still be running, with the headlights on, and the trailer was in the water at the ramp.  A search commenced for the Operator who was found at 1:42 p.m. on July 7 approximately 20 feet from the launch ramp in 15 feet of water.  There were no witnesses to the incident, but it is supected that the Victim was in the process of launching and/or tying off the vessel at the courtesy dock when the accident occured.  The events leading up to the Victim falling into the water are unknown; open beer containers were found in the truck.  The Victim was not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) at the time his body was recovered, however, personal flotation devices were found on board Vessel 1.
Chilo                         