Deputies recover 3 sunken boats in 24 hours at Detroit Lake

DETROIT LAKE, Ore. – Marine deputies in Marion County recovered three sunken boats at Detroit Lake in less than 24 hours last weekend.

Deputy David Zahn said two of the boats sunk because of large wakes caused by other boaters. The other boat hit some submerged rocks while it was tied up and took on water.

No one was in any of the boats when they sank.

Sunday, deputies found one of the boats submerged about 20 feet deep. Deputy Chris Bangs, who was off duty and at the lake with his family, saw the deputies and helped them recover the boat by diving to the boat and attaching lines and cables.

Deputies then towed it to the surface and to a nearby dock.