On 10/25/12 at 1616hs  officer and myself, both with the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission, were notified by the sarasota county sheriffs office marine unit of a vessel that had capsized just west of new pass in sarasota.  We were advised that there were 4 people in the water.  Officer and myself got into the sheriffs office boat with deputy and headed to the general area.  When we got to the gulf of mexico, coast guard was also on scene searching for the vessel.  At 1652 hrs coast guard vessel located the capsized vessel and was able to get all occupants out of the water.  Operator stated that they were driving against the groundswell and started taking on water.  They tried bailing the water but it was too much and the boat eventually capsized.  We transported all subjects back to the 10th st boat ramp.  Sea tow was able to recover the vessel and tow it back to siesta key marina.

Once back at 10th street boat ramp i was able to further interview the operator and passangers.  There was a big language barrier.  3 of the  occupants spoke broken english, and the 4th no english at all.  I was able to determine that only one of their engines was working on the vessel. The port engine had been trimmed up.  Subjects stated they had been fishing and were traveling to their next fishing spot when they started taking water over the bow.  They tried bailing water out but i was too much and the boat just capsized.

Two days later on 10/27/12 i was able to get to siesta key marina to view and photograph the vessel.  I noticed on both the port and starboard side there were several quarter sized holes in the gunnel above the water line.  I assumed these were to act as scuppers, but i believe that they were big enough to not only drain water but also take on water as they were straight hole with no system to prevent the water from entering.  As investigating officer i believe that the weather and water conditions allowed the vessel to pitch and roll at enough of an angle that water was able to come into these holes.  Coupled with the water coming over the bow, the vessel took on water faster than the subjects could bail it out, causing swamping and eventual capsizing.

SARASOTA                      