V1 OPERATOR STATED THAT HE DROVE FROM HIS HOUSE TO THE TRI-POD JUST OUTSIDE OF PASS-A-GRILLE PASS. WHILE THE ENGINES REMAINED RUNNING IN NEUTRAL, THE OPERATOR STATED THAT HE AND HIS CREW BEGAN TO CATCH BAIT FOR A FISHING TRIP. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, AN ALARM WENT OFF AND THE OPERATOR TURNEDD OFF THE MOTORS BECAUSE HE THOUGHT THEY WERE OVERHEATING. THEN THE OPERATOR CHECKED THE BILG TO SEEL THAT IT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY FILLED WITH WATER.  ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO TO BAIL THE WATER OUT, BUT THE VESSEL BEGAN SINKING AND THE OPERATOR MADE SEVERAL REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE ON VHF CHANNEL 16 AND DEPLOYED 3 FLARES. SEVERAL NEARBY BOATERS ARRIVED ON SCENE AND ASSISTED THE CREW OFF THE SINKING VESSEL AND ONTO THEIR BOATS. SEA TOW ARRIVED ON SCENE AND WAS ABLE TO TOW THE VESSEL TO SHALLOW WATER. IT APPEARS THAT THE VESSEL MAY HAVETAKEN ON WATER DUE TO A FAULTY PACKING BOX.
ST PETERSBURG                 