Synopsis:

Called out on a vessel that was disabled due to rope in prop near Saratoga Springs Marina.  Responded to park where others were on scene to assist.  SAR1 was called to a different call and SAR2 went with me.  Waves were in the 2-4' range with some larger 5-6' coming through.  We made contact with the vessel and threw them a rope and told them we would tow in nice and slow.  During the tow, the towed vessel took on water from the waves, and ultimately capsized.  All occupants were taken upon the rescue boat and transported to Saratoga Springs Marina.

Narrative:

On the evening on June 22, 2023 at 2031 hours I, RANGER, was called at home by dispatch and alerted to a vessel that had a rope stuck in its prop, and was requesting a tow to the Saratoga Springs Marina.  I geared up and headed towards my patrol vehicle  As I was getting in the vehicle, dispatch alerted me to another vessel that was in need of assistance near Lindon.  I advised dispatch that I would take care of the Saratoga Call first, and then the Lindon Call.  As I was driving on I-15 towards the park, I was alerted to another call at the lake.  This was for a vehicle in the water at Lincoln Beach.  Dispatch then alerted that it may just be a fisherman in the back of their vehicle and they had county units headed that way to check.  I asked them to keep me updated.  As I was getting off of the Provo Center Street Exit, officer, got on the radio saying he was near the Center Street exit, and would take care of the Saratoga Springs call.  I then alerted dispatch I would head to the Lindon call.  When I arrived at the Park a SAR member,  was waiting.  We went to the docks where the Park Rescue Vessel, and SAR vessel were docked.  SAR2 began to prep the SAR vessel, and I started the 27' rescue vessel, and began typing in GPS coordinates for the Lindon Call.  SAR1 arrived on scene, and was dispatched to a different SAR call.  It was decided the SAR2 would go out with me, and we would go to the Saratoga call first.  We left the docks at around 2100 hrs.  As we got to the mouth of the marina the lake had 2-4' waves with some as large as 5-6'.  We had to respond very slowly due to the wave action.  When we arrived on scene the vessel was about a mile south of the original GPS coordinates we had been given.  It was discussed between SAR2 and me wether to leave the vessel and take the occupants on board the Rescue boat, or to try and tow vessel in.  Due to the wave conditions we determined it would be safer to try to tow the vessel in rather than try to bring the Rescue boat alongside the disabled vessel to transport passengers, and possibly cause serious bodily injury should someone get caught between the two vessels.  A rope was tossed to the broken down vessel, and hooked to the bow eye.  All passengers were told to put on life jackets, and remain seated.  We told them that we were going to go nice and slow.  We began the tow around 2130 hours  During the tow we did not go over 11 RPM (just over an idle speed) on the Rescue vessel.  I was constantly looking out the back of the rescue vessel to check the progress, of the vessel in tow.  The vessel was being towed approximately 50-75 feet behind the Rescue vessel.    I could see the bow of the vessel dip into the waves, and saw water crash but was never given any signs of alarm from the occupants of the towed vessel.  As the tow continued we lost the light from the sun, but I could still see the lights of the vessel being towed.  As we neared the original GPS coordinates, the occupants on the towed vessel began to yell, and flash their lights.  We quickly shut  the motors down on the Rescue vessel.  The towed vessel had taken on a lot of water from the waves.  The occupants were bailing water and the bilge pump was pumping water out as well.  The towed vessel was taking on more water due to it sitting low in the water and there still being wave action.  It was taking on more than was being bailed and pumped.  We maneuvered the rescue vessel alongside the starboard side of the disabled vessel and quickly took on the 6 children that were on the disabled boat onto the Rescue boat.  SAR2 and I were desperately holding onto the disabled vessel to try and keep it close and steady as the vessel slowly began to roll to it's port side.  The vessel then went under and began to roll.  The two male adults on board were now in the water, and drifting away from our location.  This occurred around 2217 hours.  SAR2 alerted dispatch to the situation.  The tow rope was still connected to the bow eye of the capsized vessel, and had gone under the rescue vessel motors making it so we could not start our motors to get closer to the two individuals in the water.  I quickly used one of the pocket knives I carry to cut the rope, and free us from the capsized vessel.  We were then able to pull the rope onboard without getting it caught in our motors.  We were able to locate the two males in the water using the onboard spotlight, and shouting out to them in the water.  When we got along the side of them we shut off the motors of the rescue boat as we were trying to pull the individuals into the rescue boat near where the motors were. SAR2 was able to pull one of them onto the Rescue vessel.  I was holding onto the second male who said he was okay, and handed me some car keys.  He then began trying to gather some of the belongings floating in the water.  I told him that we were now there for life and not property.  He again told me he was fine.  He had one hand holding onto the rear motor guards of the Rescue vessel (motors off) and the other hand holding onto a tow behind water toy.  He kept trying to hand me the water toy.  I finally grabbed hold of it, and with great effort pulled it aboard.  As this was going on, the rescue boat drifted over the top of the submerged vessel and made contact with it.  We were notable to maneuver away as our motors were still off, and there was still one male sitting near on the motor guards, and we could not start the motors until he was safely in the rescue vessel.    The male, later identified, then looked as though he was going to attempt to let go of the rescue boat to try and gather more belongings.  I told him again we were there for life and not property, and not to let go of the boat.  We were then able to get him onto our vessel.  All individuals were wearing PFD.  As the vessel had capsized and sunk, the number of PFD and fire extinguishers on board was not accounted for.

Several of the kids were shivering and I directed them to go to the cabin in the front of the Rescue vessel and sit down.  I spoke with the other adult male who was identified.  He was trying to text people to let them know what was happening but the phones were shutting down on him.  I gave him my personal cell phone number to text to those he was trying to communicate with.  I asked Operator if he would like for us to have medical staged at the Saratoga Marina to make sure everyone was okay.  He declined.  I told him that they would not have to transport anyone, but could just make sure everyone was okay.  He again declined and said the boys had been able to get onto the Rescue vessel and had not been in the water, and that he thought when he could get on shore and walk around he would be okay.  One of the six kids on board began to get seasick, and we moved him into the cockpit of the Rescue vessel and opened some windows to get some air on him.  Operator then moved into the cabin.  I also went into the cabin to check on everyone.  I then spoke to him, and told him that I would get him the contact information for someone that might be able to help him recover his boat.  I also told him that I would need to gather some information for a report.  He asked what would happen after that.  I again told him that I could get him the contact info
Utah Lake
Saratoga Springs              