On August 5, 2023 at approximately 1530 hours I received information concerning a sinking vessel on Boone Lake in Sullivan County, Tennessee. At the time of dispatch, Officer \ was currently patrolling Boone lake by vessel. While Officer1 headed to the area by patrol vessel, Sergeant and I responded to Boone Lake Marina by patrol vehicle. Officer1 arrived on scene first at approximately 1545 hours. I arrived approximately ten minutes later. Officer1 was able to locate the sinking vessel, the operator, and other occupants that had already been picked up by assisting vessels. The partially submerged vessel was towed back to the dock area of Boone Lake Marina by marina personnel. Upon my arrival, I was given occupant information and pertinent incident details from Officer1. Marina personnel then assisted in removing the vessel from the water, draining it, and placing it back afloat on the water. At this time, the vessel owner was able to trailer the vessel. During the vessel recovery, Officer1 and I were able to obtain written statements from all parties involved. 

	Based upon all available statements, a synopsis of the event is listed below:

	At the time of the incident, three individuals, including the operator, were on the vessel. The vessel was actively towing an individual on a wakeboard who is also the vessel owner. 

Subject1 was seated on the port side of the vessel and adjacent to the operator position. Subject2 was seated in the bow of the vessel. Just prior to the incident, Wakeboarder advised the operator to turn back upstream as the vessel was approaching a bridge just downstream of Boone Lake Marina. 

As the vessel entered a left turn, another vessel was leaving the marina and placing the vessel and towed individual at risk of collision. Wakeboarder made the decision to intentionally fall from his surfing maneuvers so that he would not travel further in that direction. 

At this time, the operator made a left turn back towards Wakeboarder. While completing the turn, the bow of the vessel was submerged under the water via waves and wake action in the area. The vessel was unable to completely resurface and the vessel quickly took on water over the bow until it began to sink. A last minute attempt was made to turn the bilge pump on by Subject1; however, the effort proved futile as the amount of water in the vessel had already overcame its buoyancy.

 The vessel occupants intentionally entered the water and were able to be rescued by assisting vessels in the area. Wakeboarder was already wearing a PFD as required by his participation in towed water sports. All occupants were able to obtain flotation devices after exiting the vessel to assist in their rescue. 

Wakeboarder had personal belongings including clothing items, tools, a phone, and cooler that were lost during this incident. These belongings are estimated at $1,500 in value. While the vessel was able to be recovered, it experienced significant water damage to the entire vessel. The engine compartment, fuel tank, and electronics were all affected. In addition, damage was possibly done to the structure of the vessel during recovery efforts. At this time, I would estimate vessel damage to be over $2,000. Accurate cost estimation will require appraisal from professional repair service.

BOONE LAKE
PINEY FLATS                   