RedactedNarrative: On March 7, 2016, I was contacted by US Army Corps of Engineers Ranger who informed me about a sunken boat floating in Fishing Creek with just the bow sticking up out of the water. Ranger stated he was contacted by one of the maintenance workers at Fishing Creek Recreation Area whom had seen the boat out on the lake.
  
  I informed Ranger I would respond and see what the issue was. I immediately contacted KSP London Post via radio to advise them of the traffic I was responding too. 
  
  I arrived on scene at Pulaski County Park boat ramp at 17:09 hours. Present at the boat ramp was subject and his employee’s with Marine Assist. They had also responded and had the vessel already removed from the water and sitting on the boat trailer at the ramp.
  
  I made contact with the owner/operator of the vessel. He advised me last date on March 6, 2016 around 11:00 hours, he launched his boat for the first time this year out of Pulaski County Park.  He stated he was at a fast idle cruising upstream for around 10 minutes when the engine started running hot.  He smelled and saw smoke coming from the engine compartment.  He stated he immediate shut the engine down to investigate and let it cool off. 
   
  Operator stated when he lifted the back hatch he noticed water filling up in the engine compartment. He stated he started the engine back up and proceeded back to the boat ramp which took about another 10 minutes. During that time the engine continued to overheat and smoke continued rolling out of the hatch opening. Operator stated when he got within close proximity of the shore near the ramp he shut the engine off and steered towards the nearest tree located on the bank. 
  
  He stated he tied the boat to a tree about 50’ up the hill from the shoreline. He used a yellow and blue ski rope tied together to secure the boat to the tree.  
  
  Estimating the time to be around 13:00 – 14:00 hours, he stated he went into town after the boat was secured. He then returned that evening around dusk attempting to push the boat off the bank, but was unable to move the vessel. 
   
  Operator returned the next date on March 7, 2016 around 09:30 hours and found his boat missing from where he had secured it to the tree and located it out on the lake submerged with the bow up out of the water. Operator advised he believed someone had cut and taken his rope. It appeared cut on both ends and the majority excess was gone.
  
  I asked Operator about the plug used for the boat and if he had forgot to put it in due to taking on water. He advised me that he did have a plug in it, but it must have come out because it was missing. 
  
  The intended plug for the vessel is a hard metal or aluminum threaded drain plug. Operator stated it did not come with one when he bought the boat last year so he bought a replacement at Walmart. The type he bought and used was a rubber plug that twists and compresses, swelling the rubber around the surface of the hole to secure and prevent leaks. 
   
  This type plug has an arm that folds down to lock in place when you reach your desired compression and seal.
  
  Also present on scene was Certified Marine Surveyor sent down by Operator’s Insurance Company. I cleared the scene at 17:56 hours.
  
  Boat Registration: KY-0720-XA
  Registration Expires: 04/30/2016
  Boat HIN: CCBBF149L586
  Make: ChrisCraft
  Model: 266AC Scorpion
  Year: 1986
  Type: Cruiser
  Length: 26'
  Hull Material: Fiberglass
  Propulsion: Inboard
  Engine Make: MerCruiser
  Engine Serial #: B402677