RedactedNarrative: On 07/09/22 at about 7:30 p.m., the watercraft being operated on the Fox River by Operator began taking on water near River Drive in Trout Valley, IL. Operator and his passenger  were able to move the boat to the pier of the residence at River Drive and secure it to vessel to the dock. Witness 1 and 2, neighbors to the residence at River Drive, were able to help Operator and passenger secure the watercraft. The resident at the property, was not home at the time of the boat accident.
  On 07/10/22 at about 10:00 a.m. I, CPO was notified of the sunken vessel by a telecommunicator with the Illinois State Police. I arrived on scene at about 11:00 a.m. and met with two, McHenry County deputies. The deputies informed me the owner of the watercraft, Operator, was on his way to attempt to recover his boat. The watercraft had a current registration sticker and current, temporary Fox Waterway sticker.
  At about 11:30 a.m., Operator arrived with a truck and trailer. I advised Operator he was unlikely to be able to remove the boat without contacting a marine recovery company, as it's stern was completely submerged and the entire cabin was full of water. Operator agreed, so I contacted BruceSki's Marine Recovery out of Port Barrington, IL. I spoke to the owner/operator. BruceSki's told me he was coming through the locks at the Stratton Lock and Dam and was about 1 hour away. BruceSki's said he would need to confirm the recovery with Operator. Upon hearing the cost of recovery, Operator decided to try to flag down a passing boat and see if someone would help tow his vessel. After a few, unsuccessful attempts, I suggested Operator allow me to contact
  BruceSki's. After Operator spoke to BruceSki's a second time, he agreed to the recovery charges.
  BruceSki's arrived with his barge and equipment at about 2:00 p.m.. He was able to lift the stern of Operator's boat and pump the water out of the cabin.
  However, it was evident water was re-entering the boat quickly, as the swim steps were sinking quickly. BruceSki's took Operator's vessel to a nearby ramp maintained by the Trout Valley Homeowner's Association. While Operator backed his trailer down the ramp, the stern of his boat sank. BruceSki's then had to lift the boat and pump it out again before Operator was able to winch it onto his trailer. Once the boat was out of the water, it was discovered the bellows between the outdrive and the hull were damaged and had allowed water into the engine compartment and cabin.
  I issued Operator citation for Pollution of a Waterway and written warning for Operation of an Unnumbered Watercraft as he did not have his temporary, registration paperwork available for inspection. After issuing the paperwork, I cleared the scene. EOR