Preliminary investigation reveals vessel 1 was drifting at the time of the incident.  Two people occupied vessel 1, the victim and the witness.  Both the victim and witness were fishing at the time of the incident.

Witness claimed that the victim was complaining of stomach cramps earlier in the day.  Witness said that he heard the victim say "woo woo" just before falling into the water around 13:15 hours.  While the boat started to fill up with water, the witness jumped out of the boat and swam to the shore.  He then looked back and saw the victim swimming to the shore , but then went under the water.  The witness then tried to get help.  Three young boys attempted to locate the victim but were unsuccessful.  Search and rescue were dispatched to the scene but were also unsuccessful in locating the victim.  Divers found the victim around 1615 hours.

Further investigation reveals victim's feet were tangled in fishing line, weighed approximately 250 pounds, and had no pfd on.  Vessel 1 was very small in length and width.  Vessel 1 was very unstable on the water and would have been more unstable with the amount of weight that was on board at the time of the incident.  Vessel 1 had no maximum capacity plate.

In conclusion, vessel 1 should have been equipped with some type of pfd for each occupant, even though it is not required by law.  Having pfds on board would have given the victim an opportunity to rest with a pfd while trying to untangle the fishing line from his feet.

CARTHAGE                      