On March 31st 2013 at approximately 1420 hours, two occupants on board V-1, a yellow in color rental canoe displaying "KARS", paddled out into the Banana River from the northern most island off of KARS Park. They were operating V-1. Shortly after they departed from the island, V-1 began to flood. The weather was partly cloudy with winds approximately 10-15 mph and waves approximately two to three feet. A large wave caused V-1 to capsize sending both occupants into the water. Neither occupant was wearing a PFD when they entered the water. They flipped the canoe back up right and struggled to keep it afloat for the next approximately 30 minutes. A rope was tied from V-2 to V-1 in order to tow the compromised canoe back. Tow efforts eventually failed and V-1 completely sank. All four subjects made it to land approximately 2 miles north of KARS Park (28 27.643' N/ 80 39.097' W) where we made contact with them. We helped them secure V-2 and transported the them and their personal effects back to KARS Park. All four occupants were uninjured and refused medical attention. Our vessel inspection found they had all the required safety gear except for sound producing devices.

Operato1 advised V-1 had a hole in the hull where water had entered into the canoe while traveling east to the island. On return, the flow into the canoe increased causing it to take on water. 

On April 5th at approximately 1400 hours, I contacted KARS Park Manager. He advised that the livery has not recovered the sunken canoe. He advised the canoes were approximately 1980 16' possibly Indian River canoes made of fiberglass. He advised the canoes were in poor condition with multiple repairs and worth approximately $100 each.  

VIOLATIONS

327.50(1)(a) The owner and operator of every vessel on the waters of this state shall carry, store, maintain, and use safety equipment in accordance with current United States Coast Guard safety equipment requirements as specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, unless expressly exempted by the department. 
33usc 1602 et seq.  No Sound Producing Device: Vessels must have some means of making and efficient sound signal.

No citations or warnings were issued.
End of Report
MERRITT ISLAND