RedactedNarrative: Prelude:
  On 6/30/21 a report came in of a boat sinking near Burns Harbor on Lake Michigan.  Officers responded to investigate the incident.  A boat accident investigation was completed.              
                 
  Details:
  On 6/30/21 Sgt. and Lt. were patrolling on Lake Michigan by boat near the Indiana Dunes State Park. At approximately 8:45 p.m., Sgt. and Lt. heard emergency radio traffic on the marine radio from TowBoatUS, reporting a boat sinking near Burns Harbor. TowBoatUS advised the occupants in the sinking vessel were out of the water, safe on another vessel.  Sgt. and Lt. responded to the area and arrived on scene at approximately 8:48 p.m.  Sgt. documented the GPS location on the chart plotter.  Lt. observed one runabout boat with four persons on board and a TowBoatUS service boat.  The boats were located east of the Port of Indiana entrance near the corner of the break wall that turns in toward the shoreline. The boats were positioned approximately seventy five yards off the rock break wall.  Lt. observed boat parts and other debris floating in the water from the submerged vessel.  Lt. made contact with the persons in runabout and confirmed there were no injuries.           
   
  Lt. made contact with Captain from TowBoatUS who witnessed the boat sink under water.  He provided GPS coordinates of N 41 39. 033  W 087 07.954.  Captain stated he observed a sheen of fuel on the water and water bubbling up where the boat sank.         
   
  Lt. identified the owner and operator of the boat that sank.  The owner was identified.  Lt. had the occupants of the vessel don life jackets.  Lt. assisted Operator onto the patrol boat to obtain further information about the accident.       
   
  Operator advised Lt. he and his girlfriend left Burns Ditch headed toward the Dunes State Park for the fireworks show.  Operator noticed his boat tilting to the starboard side as he past the entrance of the Port of Indiana.  He stated he observed water at that time on the floorboard of the boat near the stern.  He stated water rushed forward on the floorboard and the boat began to fill with water as he came down off throttle to slow his vessel.  Operator explained he attempted to get his boat to the shore near boaters beach before the engine died east of the Port of Indiana entrance.  
  
  Operator realized his boat was sinking as it filled with water.  He waved his friend over who was traveling near them in another boat.  He had his girlfriend don a life jacket and he began to gather valuables in the boat to transfer to his friends boat.  Operator transferred articles to the other boat and then abandoned his boat, boarding his friends vessel.  Operator stated he watched his boat completely sink and disappear under the water.    
   
  Lt. asked if he consumed any alcohol prior to the incident.  Operator stated he had not been drinking any alcohol.  Lt. administered the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, checking his eyes.  He did not show any signs of nystagmus while tracking officer his pen back and forth.  He did not show nystagmus at maximum deviation or prior to a 45 degree onset. Lt. could not detect any odor of alcohol on him.    
   
  Lt. questioned Operator about what might have caused water to enter the boat and sink.  He was unsure and stated he had the propeller shaft packed last year. He was certain the plug for the boat was in place.  Lt. discussed salvage options with Operator.  Operator stated he would gather some friends and remove the boat.  The boat was submerged to approximately 20' under water.  Operator believed the boat was about three quarters full holding approximately 10 gallons of gas in the tank. 
   
  Lt. instructed him to pick up any remaining articles and boat parts floating on the water before returning to the marina.  Lt. advised that a report would be completed documenting the boat accident.  Lt informed to make contact with Lt. when the boat was removed and salvaged. 
   Attachments:
  None at this time 
  Disposition:
  Pending until boat is removed and cause of accident determined