On July 19, 2012 at approximately 1423 hours V-1 (FL 5293 MZ) was off shore around Neptune Reef. The occupants were free diving.  V-1 was moored to a buoy from the bow. They returned to the vessel after noticing it was low in the water. They attempted to start the engines but they wouldn't turn on. The weight of the occupants combined with the water inside the vessel caused it to capsize and sink.  It is unknown how the water entered the vessel. 

On July 19, 2012 at approximately 1423 hours V-1 (commercial vessel rented from Captain Joe's Boat Rental) was offshore near Neptune Reef moored by from its bow to a buoy. The 4 occupants were diving and after approximately an hour in the water, they noticed the stern of the vessel was sitting very low in the water. The occupants swam to the vessel to try tried to turn on the motors but they did not turn on. While on the boat they were able to grab all their life jackets and made a phone call to a friend to call for help. The vessel then capsized and sank to the ocean floor. A nearby vessel retrieved the occupants of the sinking vessel. The vessel was recovered several hours later by First Response.

I contacted the owner of the vessel and he said the bilge pump was operating correctly prior to the vessel leaving the marina. According to Owner the anchor and anchor line did not appear to be used to anchor the vessel. I Also spoke to passenger of vessel who attempted to turn on the bilge pumps on but said they were not working. The tow boat operator who salvaged the vessel stated that he noticed the bilge pump float switch was stuck in the up position and that the plug was in its place.  He did not notice any other signs that could have caused water to enter the vessel.  Attempts to contact the operator were unsuccessful because he is out of the country (Venezuela). During the investigation I was unable to determine how the water entered the vessel and whether or not the bilge pump was actually functional at the time of the accident.

MIAMI BEACH                   