V1 HAD TRANSITED OUT OF THE CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER HEADING SOUTH BOUND TOWARDS SANIBEL BRIDGE A SPAN. OPERATOR STATED THAT A NUMBER OF ALARMS BEGAN TO GO OFF AT WHICH TIME HE BACKED DOWN AND OPENED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE. UPON OPENING THE INSPECTION COVER THE OPERATOR OBSERVED WHAT HE BELIEVES WAS SMOKE AND ALSO LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER ENTERING THE SPACE. THE OPERATOR IMMEDIATELY TURNED TOWARD SHORE WHILE CALLING OUT A DISTRESS CALL ON VHF CHANNEL 16. THE OPERATOR RAN THE BOAT AGROUND ON A SANDY BEACH KEEPING THE VESSEL FROM SINKING COMPLETELY.

SALVAGE ASSISTANCE WAS IN THE AREA AND IMMEDIATELY ON THE SCENE. 

NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND ALL PERSONS WERE SAFELY TRANSFERED TO SHORE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CAUSE OF THE FLOODING WAS A HOSE CLAMP FAILED ON THE EXHAUST COOLING HOSE ALLOWING THE HOSE TO COME LOOSE AND FILL THE COMPARTMENT WITH WATER.
SANIBEL                       