On Friday, November 26, 2010, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Operator and two passengers went fishing in his 17' Express flat boat.  Operator drove his vessel to the south east corner of the rock dam in the MRGO.  The three subjects then tied the vessel to the rocks with a rope from the stern of the vessel.  All three subjects crossed to the other side of the dam to fish.  During the fishing trip, a passing cold front changed the wind to the north east.  The wind was very strong and kicked up the seas.  The three subjects finished fishing and returned to the vessel.  When they got to the vessel, they found it to be taking on water.  The owner , Operator, tried to bilge the vessel but the water was coming in so fast that bilge could not keep up.  The vessel sank next to the dam in approximately 3 feet of water.  The three fishermen were picked up by a passing boater and brought to the Brenton Sound Marina. Alcohol and drugs were not a factor in this incident.  The boat was equipped with the proper PFD's during the incident and the owners 10 year old son was using his.  On Saturday November 27, 2010, Operator and several of his friends returned to the rock dam and salvaged the vessel.
HOPEDALE                      