According to operator and passenger they were underway and heard a loud bang and the boat shook.  Water began coming in very fast and the boat sank.  Operator had problems trying to communicate via cell phone and vhf to contact CG.  He did make contact with a tow company who notified the USCG.  They stayed on the vessel until it totally went under water.   Passenger kept him afloat.  They were in the water for almost 5 hours.  Operator indicated that he felt there may have been engine trouble that led to the sinking.  The MEP investigating officer was contacted by a USCG Marine Casualty Investigator informing him that the SAR operator at the time felt uneasy about certain discrepanices he noticed during the post incident de-briefing.  He felt that this may be a case of insurance fraud.  The MEP investigating officer said that due to the fact that this accident occured past the 3 mile state boundary and that the location of the vessel was unknown and our agency did not possess the equipment to handle such an undertaking it was unlikely that we would be able to make a determination.  The insurance fraud question was deferred to NCIB an agency that oversees insurance fraud.
Rockport                      