On September 4th, 2023, at approximately 1430 Central time, I, Conservation Officer 1 was patrolling Nolin River Lake when I observed a sinking boat near the water’s edge. When I first observed the vessel there was already a crew of people attempting to pump water from the vessel. Despite their efforts water was still coming in at a rapid pace and was nearly overtop the motor. 
I contacted the owner operator of Indiana who stated he was operating his 2019 Catalyst Mercruiser near Long Fall Creek when his vessel impacted something underneath the water’s surface. According to witness statements the vessel was going about 10 MPH when the impact occurred and immediately after impact the boat started taking on water.
I interviewed other witnesses on the scene who were passengers at the time of the incident (Passenger 2 and Passenger 1) their statements were consistent with what Operator had stated. One witness/passenger had already left the scene upon my arrival (Passenger 3).
On September 7th I contacted Operator by phone to check on the damage to the vessel, he stated that there was a two foot by six-inch hole in the bottom of his vessel and the motor was completely ruined because of water submersion. 
*The vessel is expected to be a total loss the registration reciept shows the accessed value of the vessel to be $57,059.
NOLIN RIVER LAKE
CUB RUN                       