Vessel 1 had three persons on board, and was drifting while the Occupants fished in approximately 70 feet of water, when the Occupants noticed that the cuddy cabin was filling with water.  The Operator reported that he did not observe any leaks the night before when he stayed aboard Vessel 1, and that there was no indication that Vessel 1 had struck anything with its hull.  The Operator turned on the bilge pump, but water continued entering Vessel 1 faster than the pump could work.  With water now making its way into the stern of Vessel 1, the Operator of Vessel 1 turned on the kicker motor to try to make it back to shore; the other Occupants began bailing water from Vessel 1.  The main outboard motor on Vessel 1 was unable to be started as water had now reached the middle of the cowling on the starboard engine.  As the Operator turned Vessel 1 bow first into the waves (using the kicker motor) all of the water rushed to the stern of Vessel 1 , sinking the stern into the water.  One Occupant was able to don a lifejacket, one Occupant grabbed a lifejacket (but did not put it on), and the Operator was able to hail a neighboring charter boat for assistance as Vessel 1 submerged and put all three persons into the water.  The three persons on board were rescued from the water approximately 10-15 minutes later and a distress call was made to USCG Sector Buffalo.
Conneaut                      