V1 was watching dolphins swimming around their vessel when a shift in occupants onboard caused the vessel to capsize.  All the occupants went into the water, but were able to swim to Shell Island with no injuries.  The vessel was towed in by another vessel to Saint Andrews State Park where it was dewatered and loaded on its' trailer.  The cause of the vessel capsizing was due to overloading.


V1 was on the East side of Panama City Pass near the shoreline loaded with seven people (it should be noted that the vessel was rated for six passengers) and beach gear/coolers.  The seas were rough (3 to 4 foot seas) and V1 had a group of dolphins off its' bow.  The occupants of the vessel moved to the bow of V1 to observe the dolphins causing a shift in weight on the vessel.  This weight shift pushed the bow down and into the large waves, causing the waves to come over the bow of V1.  
The captain of the vessel stopped the vessel which caused the water to settle to the bottom of the vessel. The occupants began to panic and with their shifting weight, caused more waves to come into the vessel.  With all the water in the vessel and the occupants moving around, it caused V1 to capsize.  All seven occupants went into the water and were able to swim to Shell Island with no injures.    
Since the vessel was rated for six passengers, the vessel was overloaded which also contributed to the vessel capsizing. The vessel was righted and towed to Saint Andrews State Park where the owner was able dewater the vessel and put it on the trailer.

PANAMA CITY BEACH             