Marion County Sheriff’s Marine Deputies are accustomed to dealing with the normal weekend boating and recreational activities at Detroit Lake. An August weekend, however, provided deputies with some additional challenges.
On Saturday, Aug.25, at about 4:46 p.m., Sr. Deputy David Zahn came upon a partially submerged boat near the Detroit Lake campground. The bow of the boat was the only partially visible.
Apparently the 14’ Hydroswift, belonging to Jason Henry, 34, of Timber, Ore., began taking on water and sunk about 200 feet from shore.
Investigation revealed that the boat had developed a hole in the hull when it came into contact with submerged rocks while it was tied to its moorage. The bilge of the hull filled with water, but that fact didn’t become apparent to Henry until he and two passengers went for a ride. The boat took on additional water and began sinking. It was eventually towed to shore and recovered. Other boaters assisted Henry and his passengers; no one was injured.
At about 10:20 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 26, Deputy Zahn was on patrol in the Sheriff’s marine boat when he spotted an unattended submerged boat near the Mongold boat dock. The boat’s gas can and the motor cover were floating nearby. Witnesses told Zahn the boat had been tied to rocks near the boat ramp for several days.
Wakes from passing boats apparently sunk it. The boat was an older 16’ model, made of Fiberglas, with an Evinrude motor. It was last registered in 2004 to a Salem resident.
The boat was recovered from the lake and stored at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office until its current owner can be identified. Then, shortly after noon on Sunday, Deputy Matt Wilkinson and Zahn were called to the Hoover arm of the lake to assist with another sunken boat.
When they arrived, they found a 1989 17’ Anza completely submerged in about 20’ of water.
The owner, Doug Keil of Stayton, told deputies he’d secured the boat with ropes at the bow and stern while he and his granddaughter camped overnight. Wakes from passing boats apparently swamped the boat, sinking it. Keil called his friend, Sublimity Fire Chief Brandon Hamilton, who came to his aid.
Off-duty Sr. Deputy Chris Bangs and his family were also boating at the lake. Bangs saw the commotion and also came to assist. Bangs dove down to the submerged boat and attached lines to it. Using pulleys, cables and the Sheriff’s Marine boat, the deputies and fire chief were able to raise the boat to the surface. It was ultimately towed to the dock.
Two of these boats sunk because of large wakes caused by other boaters. Zahn reminds all boaters to watch their speed , and to comply with the “no wake” signs posted around boat docks and near swimming areas. Zahn also wants to remind all boaters that personal flotation devices are required for every occupant in your boat.
