Occupants were night fishing in Operator's 14ft jon boat on Lake Tarpon.  Operator spoke to a family member at approximately 2130 hrs and advised that they were going to fish a couple of more hours.  This is the last time that anyone heard from occupant or Operator.  The following day a missing persons report was filed in Hillsborough County.  HCSO then contacted Pinellas County Sheriff to check the ramps at Lake Tarpon.  Operator' vehicle was located at the boat ramp in Anderson Park and a search was launched.  The victims were located after surfacing on 1/1/2014, the vessel was located the next day by the PCSO Dive team.  

upon lifting the vessel it was discovered that no impact had occured and it is believed that the vessel was overloaded and capsized.

The vessel had an office chair mounted in the bow, a generator and lighting equipment, fishing gear, coolers, and the two occupants which would have exceeded the vessel capacity.;
TARPON SPRINGS