On 06/09/2012 I was patrolling around the Mt. Joy boat ramp at Kinkaid Lake.  At approximately 7:00PM I was notified subject that their family boat struck a submerged fixed object putting a large hole in the hull.  subject said no one was hurt and her husband and others were attempting to put the boat on the trailer but it was full of water.  A short time later, operator drove up with the boat trailered and I noticed a large amount of water pouring out of the bottom of this SeaDoo boat.  A quick visual inspection revealed a large diameter hole on the very bottom of the hull of the boat and a large piece of timber material stuck in the port engine impeller.  It appeared they had struck a submerged stump or treetop.
   
  I asked OPERATOR what happened and he stated he was operating his boat near the Paul Ice boat ramp just north of the hazard buoys which mark an old foundation.  OPERATOR said at approximately 6:40PM he was cruising around what he thought was deep water when he struck an object under the water.  This subsequently stopped the boat, and he then noticed his bilge pump coming on and water flooding into the passenger compartment.  OPERATOR realizing he was taking on water instructed everyone in the boat who did not have one on to put on(the children were already wearing PFD''s) a PFD as he felt like they were about to sink.

  OPERATOR remembers that it did not appear the bilge pump could keep up with the amount of water coming in and it seemed that one of the engines was not running.  OPERATOR decided it was best to head directly back to Mt. Joy boat ramp to try and put the boat on the trailer.  While heading back to Mt. Joy a group of other boaters recognized the predicament the sinking boat was in and came alongside to help.  This group escorted OPERATOR into Mt. Joy and assisted him with removing the passengers and gear from his boat and then getting the sinking boat on the trailer.  Once on the trailer OPERATOR was able to see the extent of damage to his boat.  When asked OPERATOR said he was somewhat familiar with Kinkaid Lake.

  The damage to his boat was the aforementioned large diameter hole and tear in the hull on the bottom of the boat and damage and a piece of wood stuck up in the port engine impeller.  Photographs of the damage were taken and are attached.

  OPERATOR has insurance through Geico on this boat.

  I provided OPERATOR with a Boat Accident Report form to be filled out and mailed in by him.

Murphysboro                   