On 06-03-2023 at approximately 03:35 pm, i was advised by door county dispatch of a boat that had hit dunlap reef and was taking on water with no injuries. 

I responded from south of little sturgeon bay and arrived on scene at approximately 04:10 pm. Upon arrival, sbfd and uscg were already on scene and had towed the boat and three occupants back to the sunset park boat launch. 

The owner was able to load the boat onto the trailer and remove it from the water. I identified the owner/operator by driver's license.  

Subject stated he was driving on plane and intended to cut across the area of dunlap reef but was unaware of the reef. He stated he saw the hazard buoys but did not know what symbol was on them or what they were marking. 

He stated he was new to boating, with less than 20 hours of experience. Neither he, nor any of the other occupants, had been through a boat safety course. I confirmed there were no injuries. I observed heavy damage to the propeller and the skeg. When he pulled the boat from the water, i noticed water draining from the boat between the gimbal and the hull. I also noticed what appeared to be fractures in the fiberglass on the transom. There was a gasoline sheen on the pavement from the drained bilge but it is unknown if there was a gasoline leak or if it was residual from the bilge. I took 14 photos of the boat and id's on my state-issued cell phone. Verbal warning issued for fail/transfer ownership.

Green Bay
Green Bay                     