Sunken Buck Creek patrol boat blamed on 'mechanical issue'

UPDATE @ 12:43p.m. Sept. 8:

A state official said Monday morning the boat sank because of a "mechanical issue."

It's not clear whether the boat is a total loss or not.

UPDATE @ 3:15p.m.:

The boat is a 21-foot Almar state patrol boat, according to Eileen Corson, spokeswoman for the Ohio Division of Natural Resources.

Corson said the boat was used yesterday and was observed to be OK at 11 p.m. Saturday night.

It was discovered under water around 11 a.m. this morning.

"Right now we're working to get it raised" using airbags and pumps Corson said. "We need to take a good look at it and see what caused it to sink."

FIRST REPORT

Officials at Buck Creek State Park are trying to figure out why a boat sank overnight.

Moorefield Twp. firefighters responded around 12:30 p.m. to the Buck Creek Marina.

A boat of an unknown type was found mostly underwater at the end of a dock and an oil slick was visible on the water.

Firefighters worked to clean up and contain the oil spill.

Park rangers at the scene said they can't tell what kind of boat it is and they don't know how it sank.

It's not believed anyone was on board when the boat went into the water.