VESSEL WAS ATTEMPTING TO FREE A GROUNDED SAILBOAT AT CAPE ROMANO SHOALS WHEN IT RAN AGROUND ON A SAND FLAT.  VESSEL WAS STERN TO THE WIND TAKING ON WATER.  V1 OPERATOR TURNED ON THE BILGE PUMP AND IT WOULD NOT WORK.  HE TOOK THE HATCH OFF TO FIX THE PUMP AND V1 FLOODED IN SECONDS.  V1 OPERATOR MANAGED TO TAKE MOST OF HIS GEAR OFF V1 AND PUT IT ONT THE SAILBOAT.  WHEN THE TIDE ROSE ENOUGH TO FREE THE SAILBOAT THEY SAILED IT TO FORT MYERS LEAVING THE SEA CAT ANCHORED WHERE IT SANK.  I WAS CALLED BY A BOATER ON 3/1/2009 AT 0905 AND ADVISED OF THE VESSEL OFF CAPE ROMANO LEAKING OIL AND FUEL.  I RESPONDED AND OBSERVED THE VESSEL MOSTLY UNDERWATER WITH AN OIL SLICK IN FRONT OF IT.  SEA TOW WAS CALLED TO REMOVE THE VESSEL.  USCG CONTACTED THE OWNER WHO AGREED TO THE TERMS OF SEA TOW.
MARCO ISLAND                  