SYNOPSIS:

On 25 July 2023 at approximately 1200, I was called to reports of a sinking vessel at Deer Creek State Park with ten occupants on board. The vessel was recovered and placed back on the trailer. The occupants who had rented the boat maintained custody of the vessel. the owner was contacted.

NARRATIVE:

On the above date and time, I was called to reports of a sinking vessel at Deer Creek State Park, North of the Main Marina. Ranger and I responded from Jordanelle State Park. We were notified that there were ten people in the water. Ranger and I activated our emergency lights and sirens. We downgraded in Heber City proper, when we were notified that all occupants had life jackets and had been removed from the water by witnesses.

When I arrived on scene, Ranger and I decided that he would get on the boat and try to locate the vessel and I would make contact with the occupants who were now on shore at the Main Boat Ramp.

OCCUPANT STATEMENTS:

Subject1, the individual who had rented the vessel from OWNER stated that he son had been operating the vessel when it had become swamped and sunk. SUBJECT1 told me that they had stopped the vessel to pickup their wake surfer who had fallen. When they stopped, the wakes they had created began to come into the boat and swamped it. The vessel continued to take on water so he occupants put life jackets on and exited the boat.

I asked SUBJECT1 if the bilge pump had been running and he stated that he was not sure.

Occupants stated they had only been on the vessel for around 20 minutes before the incident occurred.

VESSEL RETRIEVAL:

Ranger was able to hook onto the bow of the vessel. The very top portion of the bow was the only thing remaining out of the water when he arrived. Ranger towed the vessel into the dock. As he arrived, I was able to see the bilge pumps actively working to pump out water. This indicated that it was not an equipment failure of the bilge that had caused the vessel to sink.

I had the occupants retrieve their trailer and park it next to the wedge dock. We were able to pull the vessel onto the trailer with a rope. Once the vessel was secured onto the trailer, the occupants were instructed to pull the vehicle up to let it drain.

The bilge and ballast pumps were turned on to pump out water. We confirmed that the drain plug was in properly and then had the renters remove it.

The vessel remained on the ramp to drain.

ADDITIONAL:

SUBJECT1 was informed that he needed to contact DEQ to report the gas that had spilled into the reservoir when it sunk, within 24 hours. He was giving the phone number for the hotline.

I contacted the boat owner to obtain his insurance paperwork. SUBJECT1 sent me a copy of the insurance he had gotten through the rental company, Boatsetter.

I confirmed that OWNER was a registered Livery with the State of Utah.

At the time of contact with OWNER, he had not been notified by his renters that his boat had sunk and been retrieved.

CONCLUSION:

The vessel was fully submerged. While the battery's were still operable, I was unable to determine the full extend of damage to the internals parts of the vessel.

Deer Creek Reservoir
Heber City                    