On 2-5-13 I responded to a report of a possibly grounded vessel south of Money Key in Marathon. Upon arrival the vessel was grounded, laying on its side with half of the vessel underwater. I was unable to locate any people on board of the vessel or in the vicinity of the vessel. Upon further investigation i was able to locate a paper with the owner of the vessels name and other personal items, which led me to believe that somebody had been onboard the vessel recently and it was not a vessel that was abandoned. Shortly after arriving on scene i was contacted by Investigator, He stated that he located the owner and occupants of the vessel as they were pulling into the marina at Bahia Honda State Park. Upon arrival at Bahia Honda I talked to the three individuals and got each of their accounts of what happened. the operator of the vessel was keeping the vessel docked at Sunshine Key Campground when her husband was arrested for domestic violence, due to the disturbances they were creating.  The operator and the two passengers were asked leave the campground. The sailboats motor was not working so they had to tow the vessel with a 13 foot Boston Whaler. That night they anchored west of Moser Channel, they decided the next day they would attempt to get closer to Money Key so they could let their dogs off to go the bathroom. While towing the sailing vessel towards Money Key they got into shallow rocky water and ran aground, the sailing vessel then began to take on water and started to list. At this point they threw anchor on the sailboat and left in the Boston Whaler to find help. They went to the marina at Bahia State Park and were contacted by Investigator. I informed the subject that she needed to contact a salvage company to remove the vessel, the next day she had the vessel removed and taken to a scrap yard.
MARATHON