Vessel 1 was left loosely tied to its dock and left unattended for approximately 23 hours following discovery of the incident.  Vessel 1 was found capsized 180 degrees to its usual position in the water, partially submerged under another vessel.  Three other vessels in the same area, also tied to the dock, suffered no damages.  Vessel 1 was pulled from the water and inspected with damage being found to the rudder and the frame structure that connects the pontoons and the deck struts.  Further inspection revealed that neither of the pontoons had any flotation.  There were air compartments with three inspection ports on the top of each pontoon; visual inspection revealed minimal water intake into the compartments.  Noticeable scraping was found on the bottom of each of the pontoon hulls which had gone through the gel coat and into the fiberglass in at least 12 areas.  Despite this damage, the investigator deemed the damage insufficient to have caused Vessel 1 to turtle completely of its own volition.  The investigator surmised that a tug, travelling up or down the river, or a thruster motor could have created a significant enough wake to start Vessel 1 riding up onto one pontoon and the damage noted may have resulted in completely capsizing the vessel.
Cleveland                     