Vessel 1 was tied to a wall at Mitchell Dam. The only surviving victim advised that when he awoke that the other two victims were panicking and trying to put on their PFD’s as water flooded the vessel. Then the witness advised that subject1 disappeared immediately and subject2 went under shortly after. the survivor stated that he held on to a PFD until being discovered the next morning.

Upon speaking with people at the boat ramp where victim launched his boat, officers were advised that the occupants of the boat had thrown out several empty beer cans. After examination of the boat I discovered a small hole in the transom that had been filled in with what appeared to be silicone. In my opinion this hole and improper repair are possibly the cause of the boat flooding and subsequently sinking.
Verbena                       