On November 25, 2012 at approximately 2100 hours, a small vessel with 2POB left Crandon Park Marina in Miami-Dade County to fish.

They proceeded southbound to an area just south of the lighthouse at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park where they anchored and proceeded to fish. After about two hours, they picked up anchor and proceeded in a southeasterly direction. On November 26, 2012 at approximately 0200 hours, victim#2 and victim #1 were in the rear of the vessel, when they let off the throttle and due to his inexperience in using a 12 foot johnboat in choppy waters, a wave of waters came over the transom of the vessel causing it to get swamped and eventually capsizing and sinking in the Atlantic Ocean. Due to improper weight distribution in the vessel caused the water to enter the vessel. Victim #1 and victim#2 were both wading in the waters after the sinking.

Victim#1  and victim#2 both proceeded to cling to a cooler until victim2 proceeded to swim to beach access#1 at Cape Florida State Park. Victim#1 while clinging to a cooler was rescued by the United States Coast Guard. Both victims were transported to Mercy Hospital for treatment.

At 1000 hours,u pon arrival at Cape Florida State Park, Park Manager advised of a boating accident that occurred off of the coast of the park. I immediately contacted dispatch and Lieutenant Carcasses of this incident. At this time, I responded to the Key Biscayne Fire Department and obtained information to the whereabouts of both victim's and that both were transported in stable condition to Mercy Hospital by Deputy Chief, I then advised dispatch and proceeded to the Crandon Park Marina where I found the victim's vehicle and trailer and this information was given to dispatch. 

FWC Investigator responded to Mercy Hospital to check on the condition of the victims and to obtain statements. (Statements are included in this case file). FWC Officer conducted an area search for the vessel with negative results.

Based on information received by Investigator and this officer, there were no navigational laws  violated. The vessel the victim's used was not suitable for offshore fishing.

This concludes Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission investigation.   Both were admitted and treated for muscle exhaustion. They were released the next day.
KEY BISCAYNE                  