RedactedNarrative: On 10-03-17 at about 0500 hrs., Central Dispatch received a call of a sunk boat with one adult male which made it to shore and one missing adult male.  The Kootenai County Marine Unit and Drive Rescue and Recovery team were dispatched to the scene. Upon my arrival we had two surface swimmers at the vessel and two divers searching the area. 
  
  I observed a Tan small 10 foot utility boat half submerged about 450 feet southwest of the east boat launch.  
  
  I contacted (P) the passenger and asked him what happened and told me the following: he and his uncle (O) had planned a camping trip.  Operator had been camping and fishing Fernan Lake for many years.  The plan was to load the boat with camping supplies and transport them across the lake to a camping spot which is only accessible by boat. 
  
  Occupant stated they arrived at the boat launch between 0100 and 0200 hrs., hoping to get the gear across the lake and set up camp and get in an early fishing trip.  Occupant said there was about three or four boat loads of equipment to transport across the lake. They loaded the boat and Occupant told Operator there was too much stuff in the boat and said they could do more loads.  Operator refused and told Occupant to bring the rest of the stuff from the truck to the dock.  Operator then left with the first load and shortly returned.
  
  Once Operator returned they loaded the rest of the gear in the boat.  Occupant said the boat had so much stuff they had to sit on top of the gear instead of the seats.  Operator made Occupant put on his PFD before they left the launch, but Operator was not wearing one. 
  
  As they left the launch and maneuvered through the lily pads the electric motor made a noise.  Operator made a statement about that not being good.  Occupant said that all of a sudden they were pushed into the water.  Occupant went over to Operator who was having a tough time swimming.  Operator asked Occupant to help remove his coat because it was getting heave.  Occupant attempted to keep Operator above water but was having a difficult time.  Occupant swam over to the boat to obtain a PFD for Operator, as Occupant turned around Operator had gone under the water. 
  
  Occupant swam to the shore to get help.  Once on shore Occupant walked to the launch got into the truck and drove towards town until he was able to find someone to call 911.
  
  I asked Occupant about the safety equipment in the vessel. Occupant stated there was four other PFD’s in the vessel, but did not have lights, a sound producing device and registration.  Occupant stated they used a battery operated lantern to see.  
  
  The location of the boat was marked and towed to shore.  The vessel was a 10 foot aluminum utility punt row boat with a Minn Kota 35 watt electric motor.  There was no identifying marks on the vessel and no HIN located.  The vessel appeared to have been painted a few times.  I was unable to locate any holes in the hull of the vessel and there was no drain plug.  
  
  The remaining gear in the boat was three vehicle batteries, a camp stove, a camp table, blue plastic tote full of food and other small camping gear.  The vessel was seized for additional investigation. 
  
  I was able to locate the camp site across from the launch and observed a large cooler full of food about 10 fishing poles a few tackle boxes, a large multiple person tent, two large black garbage full of clothing, a few camp chairs, a vehicle battery and a few other items which is consistent with Occupant statement of overloading on the first trip.   
  
  Based on Occupant’s statements and the evidence at the scene, I believe Operator and Occupant were in a small utility row boat that was overloaded. As they were crossing Fernan Lake the vessel swamped knocking both Occupant and Operator in to the water.  Occupant wearing his PFD was able to swim to the shore after attempting to assist Operator.  Operator not wearing a PFD and having heavy clothing was unable to swim to shore, did not stay with the vessel and eventually went under the water.
  
  Search efforts proceeded for four days until the sonar team located Operator’s body and the dive team recovered him.
  