On November 11, 2013 I was informed that a boat had been beached on the north side of the Sunshine Key Campground.  Myself and Officer arrived in the area and observed a blue vessel in the shallow water near the beach on the bay side (north) of the Sunshine Key Campground. 

I made contact with the owner/operator of the vessel.  Operator stated that he and occupant had left Key West and were headed in a northerly direction.  They were approximately 5 miles off shore ocean side of Bahia Honda when a floor escape hatch blew open.  They attempted to secure the hatch but it blew under the boat.  Operator said that he headed under the Bahia Honda bridge looking for somewhere with shallow water and soft sand to beach the boat to keep it from sinking.  Operator intentionally beached his boat in the shallow water north of Sunshine Key Campground.  

occupant statement corroborated Operator's account of the incident. 

Damage to the vessel is estimated at approximately $5,000 (loss of hatch, damage to gell coat).
BIG PINE KEY