Search and rescue retrieves sunken boat

Members of David Thompson Search and Rescue responded Thursday to a call for a sinking boat at the Lake Koocanusa Marina. Divers were able to remove the sunken vessel from the marina area and load it onto a trailer for retrieval from the lake.

The call came to Lincoln County Dispatch just after 4:30 p.m. Thursday, with a report of a large cabin cruiser tied up at the dock and sinking. The dispatcher relayed the call to search and rescue, and dive teams immediately rolled into action.

“After Emergency Management got the call-out to go check the boat sinking in the marina, the Sheriff’s Office was quick to contact the dive team for David Thompson Search and Rescue,” said Lincoln County EMA deputy Lisa Oedewaldt. “The divers responded not only to help the boat owner, but also as an opportunity to provide training for the volunteers.” 

Divers Kenny Rayome, Jr., and Byron O’Blennis entered the water and began to investigate the situation. They attached float bags to the sunken vessel. Diver Jerry Robinson arrived shortly thereafter and, using underwater breathing gear, secured straps under the boat to attach more flotation devices. The crew managed to lift the front of the boat out of the water and begin draining water from it, which then enabled them to float the entire boat and tow it to the ramp for extraction.

“The divers’ efforts were successful,” Oedewaldt said. “They managed to get the boat out of the water, pump out the water and get it out of the marina and loaded onto a trailer so the owner could haul it away.”

Search and rescue volunteers Kenny Rayome, Sr., Kenny Rayome, Jr., Byron O’Blennis, Jerry Robinson, Brent Teske and Brandon Huff responded to the call, along with Oedewaldt.

According to the police dispatch logs, the operation conculded at 11:47 p.m.