RedactedNarrative: On Sunday, September 1st, 2019, on or about 2236 hours, Operator1 and his fiancée, OCCUPANT, were boating on Wheeler Lake near the I65 river bridge when he noticed one of the boat engines began to stall and shake badly. 
  
  He also noticed the bow of the boat was riding higher than normal. Operator1 brought the boat down off plane and conducted an inspection of the vessel and noticed water flooding into the boat. He ensured the bilge pump was on, but noticed it was not pumping out any water. A friend in a nearby pontoon boat was called and quickly rendered assistance by helping them off the boat. He then called 911, and the Morgan County Rescue Squad was dispatched. 
  
  Operator1 reported the boat eventually sunk all the way to the bottom, so he called 911 back and cancelled any assistance. They left the scene and returned home. The following morning, 2 September, a bass fisherman called the Decatur Trooper Post and reported seeing a sunken vessel near the same I65 river bridge. A search was conducted, and the vessel was found a half mile east of the bridge in the middle of the channel. The vessel was confirmed to be the one previously reported sunken by Operator1. 
  
  Morgan County Rescue Squad was called to assist in towing the vessel to Riverwalk Marina. Decatur Fire and Rescue was then called to place oil absorbing booms around the vessel in case of any leakage. Jay Landings Marina, at the direction of Operator1, removed the vessel from the water on the following day, Tuesday, 3 September, and placed it on a stand at their maintenance shop. 
  
  During removal, a large amount of water was seen flowing out of the “Port Engine Stern Area”. An inspection of the vessel was conducted on Thursday, 5 September. After conferring with “Certified Mercury Mechanics” from Alabama Marine Patrol, and mechanics from Jay Landings Marina, the cause of the sinking was determined to be a failed “Port Engine Drive Shift Bellows Cable Assembly”. 
  
  The drive shift bellow was torn apart, allowing water to flow freely into the engine compartment. This, along with the failed auxiliary equipment (bilge pump), caused enough water to enter the vessel and sink it. The entire engine stern area appeared to be without maintenance for some period. The vessel was purchased by Operator1 approximately 30 days ago and has not been transferred into his name. Operator1 is currently not licensed to operate a vessel.
  