Operator was cruising south on the 4 mile cut in his 25' commercial shrimp vessel with his family.  This vessel had remote steering. They were not engaged in commercial activity at this time.  A passenger then advised him of water in the stern of the vessel. As he slowed down the vessel, water rushed forward, towards the bow and into the cabin.  At that time the vessel was stopped and continued to take on water, then capsized.  A wake from a crewboat passing by aiding in the vessel capsizing.  There were five youths onboard this vessel under the age of 17 that were all wearing their PFD's at the time of the incident.  Operator and his wife were not wearing their PFDs which were accessible, but floated away before they could be donned.  Four of the children escaped the capsized vessel.  Operator had to assist his wife and the youngest child out of the submerged vessel.   These two subjects inhaled some water, but were conscious when brought to the surface.  The 3 year old youth was brought to a hospital for further examination, in which she was x-rayed, then prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection for possible residual water in her lungs.  No alcohol or drugs were involved with this incident.
Intracoastal City             