While headed home (east) in the outside rim canal of lake Okeechobee,  Operator  lost control of the vessel due to mechanical failure. The failure occurred in the steering portion of the vessel, causing the vessel to make and abrupt turn and take on water. The vessel then sank and Operator swam to shore.

At Okeechobee County Jail Operator was given a Breath Alcohol Test with an Intoxilyzer 8000.The first sample resulting in 0.257 and the second sample resulting in 0.240. It was at this time that Operator spontaneously uttered while crying on video that he had only had one beer and one shot at Good Spirits Bar.
Officer and myself returned to the scene of the accident to remove the vessel from the water. Among the debris found floating near the vessel was a mostly empty 1.75L bottle of vodka and a four pack of beer with one missing from the plastic retainer. Both items were seized as evidence.
While the vessel was being removed from the water, it was discovered that the vessel registration did not match the make and model. Also the HIN# was altered from SNTD0004AM77L to SNTD0004AM78L. The vessel was seized and taken to Fisheating Creek Compound pending a criminal investigation.
Inspection of the vessel's steering supports statement that there was a loss of steering control leading to the vessel sinking.
OKEECHOBEE