RedactedNarrative: Prelude: 
  A boat had a mechanical issue. This resulted in a single boat accident. 
  Details of the Investigation/Incident: 
          On July 2, 2022 at approximately 8:40PM, I, Indiana Conservation Officer (ICO) and ICO 2, received a call from Indiana Conservation Officer Dispatch of a boat sinking at Sullivan Lake in Sullivan County. We asked if there was any indication of anyone that was not accounted for. We were informed that all individuals were out of the water and that Sullivan County Sheriff's Department would take the initial report.  
          On July 3, 2022, ICO 2 and I responded to the area and began our investigation into the boat sinking. The boat located the idle zone at the handicap ramp of Sullivan Lake. When we arrived, we noticed the boat was overturned and the bow was above the water. The boat was in approximately seven feet of water.  
  ICO 2 and I attached a tow line from the Sullivan Lake ICO Boston Whaler and were able to successfully bring the boat to the shore. ICO 2 called the owner, who said that he would meet at the ramp with the trailer. BOAT OWNER arrived with the operator, OP1, his wife, PAX1, and his daughter. We were unable to safely bring the boat to the ramp. A group of anonymous good Samaritans came to help overturn the boat and get it safely on the trailer. We were able to successfully pull the boat up to the shore. During the retrieval of the boat, the windshield and the trolling motor took some significant damage. The windshield had shattered on the rocks as the boat was pulled in. 
          ICO 2 and I inspected the boat. The boat did not have a registration sticker. I ran the registration, and the return came back expired since 2011. BOAT OWNER stated that he had purchased the boat and had it in a mechanic shop for repairs.  
          ICO 2 spoke with BOAT OWNER and had him take the boat to the boat ramp to see if there were any leaks in the back. When he returned, ICO 2 informed me that the boat seemed to be taking on a large amount of water through a rivet in the stern.  
          As ICO 2 was speaking with BOAT OWNER, I spoke with OP1 and PAX1. OP1 said that there were 9 people on the boat at the time that it sunk. OP1 and PAX1 listed the names of everyone on board. OP1 and PAX1 said that they had all met up to watch the fireworks together in the idle zone. They said that they had personal flotation devices for everyone on board and ensured that all of the children had them on. They left the boat ramp in the handicap dock and anchored in the idle zone to swim. OP1 and PAX1 stated that there was no alcohol on board and that PAX1 'had a few drinks prior to departing but OP1 didn't drink anything.' OP1 said that 'everyone had started to get back on the boat, and there was a large amount of water coming in from the back of the boat. We tried to get everyone to shift to the front of the boat and water came up over the transom. At that point we realized that PAX2 did not know how to swim and hung on to an igloo ice cooler. All of the children were pulled into the shore.' OP1 and PAX3 were the only adults that could swim. Once everyone was out of the water, PAX1 did a roll call of everyone by name. PAX1 said that there was no one left in the water.  
          ICO 2 and I spoke with BOAT OWNER asked him how many personal flotation devices were on board. He said that he had purchased a six pack before the party had left and that was all that was on board. He also was aware that his registration was expired and 'did not want to renew it until he knew that the boat was in good working condition.' He loaned the boat to a friend and let him test it. ICO 2 and I told BOAT OWNER that there were discrepancies that we would follow up on. I told him that I would follow up with him and see what the status of the boat is, following a mechanic looking at it. 
            I received the notes from the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office and noticed that the deputy that conducted the investigation on the second, stated that there was one more name, PAX 4.
  As I was placing the names of the passengers into the system, I discovered that PAX2 and PAX3 have active warrants for arrest.  
  On August 19, 2022, I issued two citations to OP1: Personal flotation devices not on board for all passengers and operating an overloaded boat. 
  I swear or affirm under the penalties of perjury, as specified by Indiana Code 35-44-2-1, that the forgoing representations are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. 
  Attachments: 
  (13) Photographs on Idrive 
  Current Disposition:   
  Forwarded to District Five Command for review.
  