RedactedNarrative: Vessel accident on Lake Okeechobee just SW of the Port Mayaca Lock. Lt. and I arrived on scene at approximately 11:15 AM. Once on scene, we made contact with the occupant of the vessel taking on water. She stated that there were no injuries or medical needs. She was wearing a PFD and sitting in the dinghy (FL0695GA) that the larger vessel, a 44 foot Gulfstar, towed behind it. The Gulfstar was swamped with water and sitting on the lake bottom in approximately 3-5 feet of water, just south of the Route 2 channel. Occupant said that her husband, Operator, was inside the larger vessel trying to pump water. We called Operator, the vessel operator, to the top of the vessel and told him that it was unsafe to remain there. At this time, approximately 11:30 AM, Officers arrived to assist. I asked Operator to get onto either our vessel or the dinghy with his wife. Operator was reluctant to get off his vessel due to the fact that he had lived on it for many years. Myself, and Officer proceeded to board the Gulfstar, in hopes we could convince him to leave his sinking vessel and head to shore. After continuously trying, we were successful in talking him off of the larger vessel and onto the dinghy with his wife. We escorted them through the Port Mayaca Lock, and into calmer water. It was there, onshore, that we began our investigation of what happened. 
   
  During this time we also assisted them in making contact with boat US and a few other salvage companies. I asked Operator if he could provide me with a sworn written statement and he said “sure”, but insisted that I write it for him. Operator stated, “after passing through the Port Mayaca Lock, we passed through the markers and turned left. After turning left back towards shore the boat bumped bottom, I then put the boat into neutral, we then bumped bottom again. While trying to get the boat back into the channel we took on water causing the boat to stall. I then hooked up the dinghy and pulled the boat out of the channel to shallow water so it wouldn’t sink”. Operator and I went over the statement once more for accuracy, and then signed it. After finishing our statements and gathering information, we asked Operator not to return to the sinking vessel due to the safety hazards and bad weather. Myself, along with the other officers that responded by vessel, left the area at approximately 12:40 PM. Operator remained at the Port Mayaca Boat Ramp awaiting Boat US. Officer transported occupant to the Indiantown Marina, where she would wait for her husband.