On May 25, 2013 at approximately 1300 hrs, a distress call was made by C#1 Operator. Operator advised that his vessel was taking on water a mile from Triumph Reef. I advised our dispatch of the situtation and responded on emergency mode, Tow Boat South Dade and Sea Tow Miami, advised that they would be responding as well. Tow boat captain was the first person on the scene, he was able to get all four people out of the water prior to our arrival. Once arrival Tow boat captain transferred the four people to my marked police vessel. Operator and Tow boat captain had come to agreement on salvage price to recover the vessel and Tow boat captai hooked the vessel to his via a tow line. When the vessel sank it turned upside down with the bow sticking out of the water about one foot. Tow boat captain attempted to unflip the vessel, by dragging it in the water causing the tee-top to be pulled off as well as the leaning post. This attempt was unsuccessful. Tow boat captain advised Operator that he would need to have another vessel respond to assist him in turning the vessel over. The vessel was still tied off to the tow vessel as we drifted west due to the high winds. While waiting for another tow vessel to arrive Tow boat captain dove in the water multiple time recovering personal property from the vessel and handed it to Operator. After approx. 20 minutes of recovering items from the vessel Tow boat captain began advising Operator that he could no longer honor their agreement and could take him back to Black Point not Matheson as agreed. 

Operator advised that he did not agree with the sudden change, Tow boat captain then advised that the vessel's tee-top had drifted onto the reef and he would no longer tow the vessel. Tow boat captain advised that I needed to contact the Biscayne National Park and find out if he could remove the vessel. I contacted the National Park Dispatch, who advised that Officer stated that the vessel could be removed to avoid further damage to the reef. Tow boat captain moved the tow line from the vessel, leaving the vessel adrift. Tow boat captain stated that he would not touch the vessel because it was on the reef. Tow boat captain advised Operator to contact Sea Tow and see if they would remove the vessel. Tow boat captain transferred the remainder of the property for the vessel to my vessel and cleared the area. 

Officer contacted the United States Coast Guard and advising them of the vessel and provided them with the last known location of the vessel N 25 28.636 W 080 06.888.

Due to weather and the conditions at sea I advised Operator that I would be transporting them to Matheson Marina and that he would need to make arrangements to recover the vessel. Once arrival at Matheson Marina I made contact with Sea Tow and informed them of the situation. I provided Sea Tow dispatcher with cellular number. I informed Operator that he will be contacted by Sea Tow.

FWS Lt. was on the scene and provided FWC case, FWSB13OFF5243.
Miami