RedactedNarrative: On November 22, 2022, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was on duty conducting uniformed land patrol in the vicinity of the seven-mile bridge. At approximately 1000hrs, FWC dispatch received information regarding a flipped vessel approximately twelve miles north of Marathon in Florida Bay with individuals hanging onto the side of the vessel.
  	A boating accident investigation revealed that the vessel took on too much water and being unable to effectively dewater iteself, it overturned. The occupants were rescued by nearby boats and USCG Station Marathon Patrol Boats. 
  	All events occurred in Monroe County, State of Florida. 
  All occupants of the vessel provided sworn written statements that correlated the same version of events. All stated that while at anchor fishing, they noticed water was entering the boat. At some point a wave came over the stern of the vessel causing the vessel to take on too much water. The vessel overturned and the occupants ditched into the water hanging onto the vessel until a nearby boat noticed them and came to assist.
   	Based on the statements provided by the occupants, I determine the following for the cause of this accident: Onboard the vessel there was a live well, due to there being no structural damage and the plug for the vessel being in place, I can only deduct that the water was entering the boat from the live well. When the wave came over the stern, it was too much water for the bilges to handle and the vessel overturned.
  