Vessel 1 was heading in a westerly direction, approximately 8.5 miles west of Clearwater Pass, in the Gulf of Mexico, at an approximate speed of 25 mph. The vessel had slowed to a speed of about 10 mph when the Captain and passengers noticed that they were taking on water. 

The Captain turned on the bilge pumps in an attempt to empty some of the water. The bilge pumps were not able to keep up with the incoming water. The Captain and one of the passengers noticed that the after-market transom bracket may have partially separated from the hull. The vessel rapidly filled with water. 

The Captain fired off three flares while a passenger made a distress call. The occupants put on their PFD's just prior to the vessel capsizing. Within about a half hour the USCG had arrived in a 45ft response boat and recovered all the passengers. No one was inured. 

The USCG brought all the occupants to Seminole Boat Ramp, in Clearwater. The operator was made aware of his responsibility to salvage the vessel.
CLEARWATER