RedactedNarrative: Based on my interview of the operator of Vessel 1, on July 15, 2018 at 11:15 AM at the Turnip Patch Boat Ramp, he stated on July 14, 2018 at approximately 3:10 PM, he was driving the pontoon North to avoid storms which covered the southern portion of Rend Lake. Driving North into the Big Muddy Arm and proceeding toward clear skies OPERATOR advised he realized the vessel was in an area of stumps and and decided to turn around. OPERATOR estimated the speed of Vessel 1 to be 6 MPH and the waves 18" when he attempted to turn around to proceed South to clear water. A submerged stump/log impacted the starboard pontoon near the stern and punctured it fixing Vessel 1 in position. OPERATOR contacted 911 and the US Army Corps of Engineers responded and removed OPERATOR and the passenger from the vessel after an attempt to free it failed.  
  
  OPERATOR advised they had previously attempted to shelter from the storms near State Route 154 but the weather conditions would not allow him to maintain position. OPERATOR further advised he was unfamiliar with Rend Lake and the many unmarked underwater hazards in the North portion.
  
  On July 15, 2018 at 3:20 PM the tow operator TowBoat US, successfully recovered Vessel 1. Captain indicated during the recovery Vessel 1 struck additional underwater stumps causing the puncture hole in the pontoon to enlarge.
  