RedactedNarrative: On 03/05/18 at approximately 2345 hours Operator 1 was operating his vessel near Punta Rassa boat ramp. Operator 1 was heading toward the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River when he struck a lit channel maker causing his boat to sink.
   On 03/06/18 at approximately 1200 hours I, Officer 1  with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was dispatched to a sunken vessel that happened on 03/05/18 at approximately 2345 hours.
  I arrived on scene at approximately 1330 hours on 03/06/18. I discovered a vessel that was sunk near the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River bearing Florida registration FL3266 HK. I contacted the registered owner of vessel. I met with Operator 1 at Punta Rassa boat ramp and took down a sworn statement. Operator 1 stated he was a new boat owner and operator and had little experience. He also stated he was not familiar with the water way he was operating in. Operator 1 stated he was coming in from the Gulf and hit a sandbar near Punta Rassa boat ramp. He then called Seatow to assist him with getting off the sandbar. A Seatow employee arrived on scene and pulled Operator 1 off the sandbar and also jumped his batteries. Operator 1 then tried to follow the Seatow employee up the river and struck lit channel marker 13 causing Operator 1’s vessel to sink. The Seatow employee saw what happened and turned around to get Operator 1 off the boat. The Seatow employee took Operator 1 to Punta Rassa boat ramp.
  After speaking with Operator 1 about the accident he made arrangements to have the vessel removed from the water. Later that night the vessel was removed without incident.
  No further action was needed.