RedactedNarrative: On the afternoon of July 26, 2015, I (CPO) was informed by IDNR Sgt. of a boat accident which had occurred the previous evening.  IDNR was notified by Chicago Police Department Marine Unit, the responding agency.
  
  At approximately 11:30PM on July 25, 2015, operator/owner and two passengers were on a 1996 23'' Searay (RN NY 3323 UP, expired 2011) headed south in Lake Michigan towards the 95th St. boat launch from watching fireworks in downtown Chicago when the boat struck the 87th St. breakwall.  Operator1 stated it was dark and hazy and he saw the red and green navigation lights and breakwall at the last minute.  Operator1 attempted to turn the watercraft to the east to avoid a collision but instead struck the breakwall.  Operator1 stated he usually launches his boat out of Diversy Harbor, however, due to boater congestion that day, he decided to launch from 95th St. instead.  Operator1 also stated he had not launched from 95th St. before and was therefore not familiar with the area.
  
  Due to the impact with the breakwall, neither Operator1 nor his passengers could find a working cell phone and decided to spend the night in the cabin of the boat.  At approximately 7:30AM on July 26, 2015 an unknown fisherman at 87th St. saw the watercraft lodged on the breakwall and called Chicago Police Department.
  
  Chicago Police Department Marine Unit responded to the scene and pulled Operator1, and passengers off the breakwall and took them to the 95th St. boat launch.  Operator1, and passengers refused medical treatment.  
  
  Chicago Police Department Marine Unit issued Operator1 citations for Operation of a Watercraft on Lake Michigan without Flares and Operation of a Watercraft Without a Fire Extinguisher.
  
  Operator1 stated he possesses an IDNR Application for Title/Registration dated May 2015.  Confirmation pending.  
  
  
  Update 8/17/15:  Operator1 had photocopies of application for Illinois registration dated July 2013.  Operator1 never received registration numbers or sticker.  IDNR has no record of registration.  I issued Operator1 a written warning for Operation of an Unregistered Watercraft. 
  
   