RedactedNarrative: At approximately 1200 on 6/27/14, CPOT were notified of a boat accident which occurred on the Mississippi River near Grafton. I spoke with Grafton River Adventures about the incident. Subject advised on 6/15/14 at approximately 1000, Operator rented a pontoon boat bearing IL registration : IL1212RC from the Grafton River Adventures. During the trip Operator hit a fixed object in the river causing total loss of the engine''s lower unit and a gouge to the port side hull (see attached photos). Total damage to the propeller, lower unit and port side hull was estimated at approximately $5,000. 
  
  On 6/27/14 at approximately 1230 I made contact with Operator and conducted an interview over the phone of the incident. Operator stated he was the operator during the time of crash. According to Operator, he was operating the watercraft on the Mississippi River near Port St. Charles when he struck a submerged dyke. Unsure of the exact location, I requested Operator review a map to find the location of incident. He complied by emailing a map indicating where the incident occurred, which was west of Bolter Island, south of Iowa Island. 
  
  Operator advised he was operating southbound (upstream) at approximately 10-15mph on the Mississippi River when he struck the third wing dyke south of Iowa Island. After the crash, Operator was able to drive the boat back to the Grafton Marina where he noticed the pontoon boat was beginning to take on water.