The operator and his two passengers were going on a fishing trip. The operator has recently purchased the boat and had limited boating experience. After two and one half hours of cruising at a planing speed, the operator slowed to an idle as he looked for a spot to anchor. He heard a bang and then the vessel would not shift to forward or reverse. When he removed the engine cover he noticed water pouring inside the vessel at an alarming rate. He and his passengers tried unsuccessfully to bail the water out with buckets and the vessel ultimately swamped and capsized. The vessel partially sunk preventing inspection. The vessel's location was not in the proximity of any submerged objects. Therefore, the vessel may have hit a floating object.
Milford                       