V1 WAS WESTBOUND IN THE MANATEE RIVER TRAVELING IN THE VICINITY ON THE REGATTA POINT MARINA. WITNESSES STATED THAT V1 OPERATOR WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY RAISING THE SAIL. V1 WAS OBSERVED DRIFTING TOWARDS A LARGER ANCHORED SAILBOAT WITH THE OPERATOR ON BOARD. ONCE V1 DRIFTED PAST THE ANCHORED SAILBOAT, THE VESSEL WAS OBSERVED LISTING TO ONE SIDE AND NOBODY WAS OBSERVED IN V1. THREE INDIVIDUALS IN A MOTORBOAT WENT TO V1 AND DISCOVERED THAT THE OPERATOR WAS BEING DRUG FACEDOWN AND LIFELESS BY A ROPE THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE SAILBOAT AND WRAPPED AROUND HIS FOOT.
PALMETTO                      