Vessel was adrift and began taking on water.

Occupants were at anchor fishing in East Bay.  The weather conditions were deteriorating.  The winds and waves were increasing.  The operator decided it was time to leave. When they started to make way the motor was not running properly and would not plane the vessel.  Because of the poor conditions the operator was trying to motor the vessel near shore for safety.  They were headed at slow speed in a north westerly direction to the Dickerson City boat ramp.  Eventually the motor quit running and the vessel was adrift.  

The occupants tried to start the motor but were unsuccessful.  While adrift the waves were crashing over the stern and water was entering into the bilge through a broken deck lid.  The bilge pump was not working and eventually the vessel was swamped.  The three occupants put on life jackets and called 911 from a cell phone.

When I arrived on scene all three occupants were in good condition wearing their life jackets.  USCG Pensacola arrived on scene moments later and put them on their vessel.

That evening the boat was recovered by commercial salvage and taken to shore.  It was later discovered that the gas tank vent was faulty and allowed water to enter the fuel system causing the motor to initially stall.

MILTON                        