On Monday, July 31, 2023 around 1200 hours, Operator1 and his wife arrived at Saguaro Lake to enjoy a day of boating. 

Operator1 purchased his 1989 Mastercraft Prostar 190 about 2 years ago. This was his first boat and he estimated he had less than 100 hours of operator experience.

Operator1 would generally boat at Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake. He was last at Saguaro Lake in June of 2023. They camped at Bagley Flats and didn''t travel past "sandy beach". 

On this day, Operator1 wanted to explore all the way to Mormon Flat dam, which is approximately 1.8 miles east or upstream from sandy beach towards Canyon Lake.
 
It should be noted that about 400 yards west or downstream from Sandy Beach are two informational navigation buoy''s labeled "UNMARKED HAZARDS AHEAD". Just east of Sandy Beach there are at least 2 more informational navigation buoy’s labeled "UNMARKED HAZARDS AHEAD." 

Operator1 and wife were in the no wake zone and traveled past the hazard buoy''s. They were in the center of the channel approaching yet another pair of metal signs attached to the cliff walls on the side of the channel that say something to the effect of "rocks ahead".  

Operator1 struck a submerged rock structure which caused the boat to become "high centered". Water slowly began filling the main compartment from an unknown location. They both donned their life jackets and attempted to call for help however, there is no 911 service in that area. They waited for quite awhile, then 2 pwc''s were within sight of them. They flagged them down and one of them gave Operator1 a ride to the Sheriff''s Office emergency call box at Bagley Flats.
 
I responded to Bagley Flats and met with Operator1. He came aboard and we made our way back towards the dam. I pointed out the hazard buoy''s along the way. 

Upon arriving, the boat had drifited downstream because SRP was conducting its normal release of water from the dam. The increased water level caused the boat to become dislodged from the rock structure and float downstream approximately 600 yards. The boat was up against a fallen tree on the south side of the channel in about 5 feet of water. The boat was filled with water up  to its gunwale. We transferred wife and much of the boats contents to our patrol boat. We then secured the boat to the tree with a rope. 

I advised Operator1 it is his responsibility to coordinate the removal of his boat from the waterway. He was going to start working on that the following day. He was unsure if he had insurance on the boat or not. 

The boat is a total loss and he estimated it to be valued at $8000. 

Nothing further.
SAGUARO LAKE
Mesa, AZ                      