At approximately 23:58cst I, Officer 1 received a call of a boat running aground across from the old Alligator boat ramp in Russell County on Lake Cumberland. Sgt. 2 and I located the vessel on the bank, it had been abandoned by the subjects on it. I took photographs of Vessel 1 as it was left by the operator and passenger. We then began searching the area to make sure no one was hurt or needed medical attention. It quickly became evident that the subjects were in the woods trying to avoid making contact with us. We spoke to some fishermen who were the original callers, they stated the subjects weren’t injured and could be heard yelling and laughing before going into the woods prior to our arrival. After and extensive search we left the location and contacted Marine Assist to tow the vessel off the bank. Marine Assist said they were waiting until daybreak before towing the vessel. 

I received a call from Post at approximately 04:27cst stating the original caller called back and the subjects had returned to the vessel. Sgt. 2 and I returned to the site of the vessel on the bank and contacted the vessel owner. The passenger was Passenger. Upon contact it was apparent that both subjects had been consuming alcohol. It was coming off their person as well as their general appearance. The subject’s stated they were the only two on the vessel and were running off GPS and attributed that as the reason they ran ashore. I conducted SFST’s on Operator, he showed multiple clues of impairment on all test’s administered. I arrested him for BUI and transported him to Russell County Detention center. 

Damage Assessment 

As seen in the photos the boat sustained major paint damage due to running aground, per the boat owner there was no mechanical damage to report. As far as what was seen at the scene there was no mechanical or structural damage to report other than the paint damage listed above.


Applicable Laws & Regulations

Code of Federal Regulations- 33 CFR 83:

Rule 5- Lookout
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.

Kentucky Revised Statues
KRS 235.240
Operating a Boat/Watercraft While Intoxicated or Under the Influence.
Kentucky Revised Statues
KRS 235.240
Operating a Boat/Watercraft While Intoxicated or Under the Influence.


Prohibition of operation of boat negligently or while intoxicated or drugged -- Consent to test for alcohol or drugs -- Elements of operation under influence of alcohol or other substance. (1) A person shall not operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device, in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life or property of any person. (2) A person shall not operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device, while intoxicated or under the influence of any other substance which impairs one's driving ability. (3) Any person who operates a vessel upon the waters of the Commonwealth shall be deemed to have given consent to a test or tests as accepted by the state's evidentiary mandate for the purpose of determining the operator's alcohol concentration or the presence of other drugs. The test or tests shall be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe that the operator may have been violating this section. (4) For the purposes of enforcing subsection (2) of this section, the elements of the offense are those established in KRS 189A.010(1) to (4), except that the penalties for this offense are set forth in KRS 235.990.

Summations of Findings

Based on the statements provided from the operator and his passenger and evidence the operator failed to maintain a proper lookout. The operator stated he was running off of GPS as well as stated he had been consuming alcohol. The evidence obtained from the wreck and after show that there was no proper lookout maintained as well as the operator being charged with Boating Under the Influence were both the two contributing factors to this vessel running aground
Lake Cumberland
RUSSELL SPRINGS               