RedactedNarrative: I, Officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) am conducting a boating accident investigation on a vessel that was found on Sunday May 18th by Officer. When Officer arrived, the vessel was beached, unattended, and full of water due to the waves coming over the transom. Officer tracked the boat to a subject who sold the vessel over a year ago through a broker in West Palm Beach. Officer was then able to identify the new owner. 
  
  When I spoke to Operator he stated that he had purchased the vessel less than 30 days ago and insured it on Friday May 16th. On Saturday May 17th, he had taken the boat out of Gasparilla Marina with a local guide to learn the boating area before his family came down from up North. While Operator was operating the vessel around the South end of Boca Grande the steering locked up. He was unable to turn the wheel left or right but was able to go forward or in reverse, but only in a tight circle. He decided to use the Bow thrusters to steer the vessel towards the beach shore. Once the vessel was beached, the waves started to ride over the transom and swamped the boat. At that time, both Operator and Subject left the vessel beached. Subject walked home while Operator was trying to make arrangements with Sea Tow to recover the vessel. 
  
  The vessel was recovered by Sea Tow and returned to Gasparilla Marina on Monday May 19th where damage is clearly visible to the Port Engine which caused the steering to lock up. Operator's marine mechanic manager at Gasparilla Marina, stated that the vessel must have struck an object. When I asked for a estimate cost of damages, he stated that in his experience the vessel is a total loss (over $150,000).