On August 18, 2023 at approximately 12:30 pm Sgt. Conservation Officer 1 received a message from Cedar Falls State Radio Dispatch to contact Operator in regards to a boat incident that took place in Allamakee CO on the Mississippi River. CO 1 made contact with Operator that stated he was on the Mississippi River for a bass angling tournament traveling north up a slough when he struck a completely submerged object. As he struck the object to completed removed his Mercury 225 HP motor from the boat and sunk. The incident occurred just 1 mile northeast of Lansing, Iowa. Operator was able to use his trolling motor to get his boat back to the ramp. Operator advised he had a passenger with him at the time of the incident. Operator advised neither him or his passenger were injured. 

Operator was able to show the location of the incident on a map sent to CO 1 in which indicated it occurred in Iowa waters of the Mississippi River. 

Operator loaded his boat onto the trailer and parked his boat at the Upper Iowa Marine near Decorah, Iowa. CO 1 advised Operator he would be up the next day to look at the boat, document the damages, and complete the incident report. 

On August, 19, 2023, CO 1 met Operator at Upper Iowa Marine. CO 1 documented the damage and took pictures. Operator filled out the “Vessel Occurrence Operator’s Report Form”. CO 1 observed the Legend Bass boat. The cracked mount for the Mercury motor was all that was left attached to the jack plate of the boat with severed wires. CO 1 was able to located the Mercury factory sticker including the serial #. CO 1 documented a large gouge in the fiberglass on the port stern side caused by the motor, a gouge under the boat in the fiberglass which appeared to be from the object he struck, more than likely a submerged log, small chips of fiberglass damage near the drain plug, a cracked and bent jack plate, as well as a damage Lowrance transducer. Both individuals were wearing life jackets & alcohol was not a factor.

With current lower than normal river levels, boat operators have struck submerged objects in the water in areas boats have operated in the past without any issues. With CO 1’s experience, no fault will be placed on the operator of the vessel.
Mississippi River
Lansing                       