On February 24th, 2023, at approximately 5:50 PM I was informed of bass boat actively sinking close to the bank of Lake Seminole near the Seminole State Park entrance. When I arrived on scene, I observed a vessel partially pulled up onto the bank with the stern (rear) of the boat under water. There were three individuals standing around the boat and I spoke with Operator who informed me that he was the operator of the 1999 Astro bass boat.

	Operator stated that he and his friend were traveling home from the Rays Lake area of Lake Seminole and had just came through the electric Carp Gate. As they approached the highway 253 bridge Operator accelerated the vessel and attempted to pass underneath it. During the acceleration Operator lost control of the vessel and struck one of the bridge pilings. At that time the vessel began taking on water and both, who were not wearing PFDs (life jackets) at the time, exited the vessel and began to swim the vessel towards the bank. Once they made it to shore, they were able to pull the bow (front) of the vessel on to land to keep it from fully submerging.

	I asked Operator if he or occupant were injured at all, and he stated that they were not. I then began a boating safety inspection and asked Operator to Provide me with 2 PFDs, a throwable PFD, and a fire extinguisher. Operator was able to provide two Coast Guard approved life jackets but was not able to locate a throwable PFD or a fire Extinguisher. I asked Operator if he possessed a Boating Safety Certification and he stated that he had never taken Boater Safety.

	Citations were issued to Operator for failure to meet boater education requirements and operating within 100' of an object above idle speed.

	The following day on February 25th, 2023, Operator along with the owner of the vessel were able to pump enough water out of the boat and use the trolling motor to operate the vessel to the nearest landing at Seminole State Park, where they loaded the vessel onto its trailer. Once the vessel was out of the water, I was able to photograph the damage to the hull which consisted of several large cracks in the fiberglass on the rear starboard (right) side. 

Lake Seminole
DONALSONVILLE                 