RedactedNarrative: Vessel – 2015, 20’ Mastercraft X20 Open Motorboat w/1 Inboard Engine – 300 HP 
  
  On 06/20/2021, at about 05:00 p.m., this vessel was cruising on Lake Washington, towing a large inflatable towable, heading South about 1000’ from shore, located near Kirkland WA in King county.
  
  According to Law Enforcement, the vessel was towing a tube at the above location, w/3 persons onboard the tube. The vessel was heading South at about 20mph when the vessel came across some large waves/wakes.  These wakes caused the tube to flip over ejecting all 3 occupants into the water.  None of the 3 tubers were wearing a PFD.
  
  Immediately, the 3 were having difficulty staying afloat with due to the wave action.  The Operator jumped into the water to try and assist the tubers.  As he got close to them, 1 of the men was able to swim, the other 2 were not swimming well.  As Operator got close to them, they immediately grabbed onto him to get out of the water.  Everyone in the water was having extreme difficulty staying above water.  All 3 went under water several times, Operator was ingesting water and having extreme difficulty.
  
  Operator had called to the vessel, but no one onboard knew how to operate it.  They attempted to throw PFDs to the men, but they were too far away.  Another vessel in the area came up to them and were able to pull Operator and one of the tubers into their boat.  One of the other tubers had slipped below the surface of the water during the struggle and was not seen again.
  
  911 had been called by one of the occupants of Operator’s vessel.  This activated Kirkland Fire, Seattle Harbor Patrol, and Mercer Island Police Marine Unit.  These 3 agencies arrived 20-30 minutes later and started to conduct a surface search for the missing tuber.  KCSO Marine Patrol was also enroute but coming from another lake.  They arrived on scene at about 06:30 p.m.
  
  KCSO was briefed on what had happened.  The surface search was continued while KCSO Marine Patrol approached V1 and the another boat that had picked up the 2 that were in the water.  Officers learned that the 2 that were in the water had already been taken to shore and were being treated by Fire.  The rest of the subjects had remained in the boat.  Officers were given a brief description of what was seen by 2 of the subjects on board the vessel.  
  
  Officers tied the vessel to theirs and did a slow side tow to the Operator residence which was about ¾ of a mile to the North of the water.  The depth of the water in the general area of where the incident occurred was between 140 to 150 feet deep.  Once they reached Operator’s residence, all occupants deboarded the vessel.  
  
  A standard Washington State Vessel Inspection to the vessel.  There was no alcohol on the vessel, and it had all the proper equipment.  A surface search for the Victim yielded negative results.  A drone was requested from KCSO SAR to assist in the search.
  
  During the initial investigation, there was nothing indicating that foul play had taken place, no alcohol was involved and the Operator of the vessel, Operator was not operating in a negligent manner at the time of the incident.  It was determined that this was an accidental situation.
  
  SPD Harbor Patrol towed the vessel back to their facility where it was placed in a covered slip in the water.  This was done for potential further investigation.  The surface search was discontinued.  
  
  On 06/22/2021 at about 12:00 p.m., the ROV located the victim, Victim, in 145’ of water.  This location was only 40 meters from the initial 911 call coordinates of 122.242007 47.700088.  The ROV was able to grab hold of the victim, and both were retrieved at the surface.  Victim was taken back to the KCSO Marine Dock at Carillon Point were KPD Detectives met them.  The body was turned over to them along with the medical examiners.
  
  06/23/2021 – Update
  Operator retrieved his boat from SPD Harbor Patrol.  No further investigation needed to take place with his vessel.  There is no further investigation taking place in reference to this boating fatality.
  
  0 Injuries / 1 Fatality 
  No Apparent Alcohol Involvement 
  No Vessel Damage Reported
  Operator Was Not Wearing a PFD 
  Operator Did Have a Mandatory Boater Education Card
  