Vessel #1 was at anchor in the Gulf Of Mexico near the mouth of Freshwater Bayou on the west side of the channel.  This vessel had two (2) occupants on board that were engaged in fishing.  Vessel #1 is a 17 ft. Cobia (LA 1122 BG) with remote steering powered by a 85 hp Evinrude.  The wind was strong and the waves were rough.  There were also several large oilfield vessels using the channel that were contributing large waves as well.  This vessel was anchored in a shallow water area.  Operator and passenger continued fishing, well aware, that the seas were rough.    At some point a large wave caused the vessel to heel to the port side and take on water (Flooding).  The keel of the vessel then began to make contact with the Gulf floor near the beach and heeled over again (Grounding).  As a result, water entered the vessel from the gunwale (Flooding).  The operator attempted to move the vessel, but the lower unit of the engine was in the mud.  The operator then cut the anchor and the vessel faced the opposite direction.  The vessel continued to heel to each side, taking on water each time, until the vessel sank (Sinking), resting on the floor of the Gulf Of Mexico.  This occurred in  approximately  three (3)  feet of water.  Subjects were wearing their PFD's when vessel began to take on water.  They abandoned the vessel and went to the shoreline a few feet away. No attempt was made by the operator to recover the vessel, which is now unrecoverable and is a total loss.  No alcohol and/or drugs were determined to be a contributing factor of this incident.
Freshwater City