RedactedNarrative: For a detailed incident summary report, with photos, see "Detailed Incident Summary Report" in attachments or see ISR060533, which is linked to this BAR.
  On 4/17/2021 at approximately 1235 hrs, the above listed individuals were fishing from a small 10ft aluminum Jon boat on Mildred Lake in Putnam county. The operator was sitting on a seat with a pedestal. According to the other two occupants, the pedestal broke causing him to fall over to one side of the vessel. This caused the vessel to turn over and all individuals fells overboard.  They treaded water for several minutes until a good Samaritan heard their screams for help. The good Samaritan used a Jon boat to row out to their location.  When the good Samaritan arrived, operator was face down in the water. The Samaritan pulled his head above water and they were able to row back to shore where Operator was transported to Putnam Community Hospital in Palatka. He was later pronounced deceased. The Investigation is ongoing.
  CONCLUSION
  Based on evidence, statements made, and information gathered to date, I offer the following conclusion:
  The primary factors which led to the incident are, the overloading of the vessel and no boating safety equipment onboard. Primarily, no personal floatation devices.
  The 10 ft Jon boat was overloaded. It did not display a Coast Guard capacity placard, but a boat of that size would generally be a maximum of two people and a weight of 300-350 pounds.  This would have been exceeded with the three occupants, along with their gear. 
  The vessel did not have any of the required safety equipment onboard. Even with the vessel capsizing, having life jackets on or nearby could have prevented the drowning of Operator as well as the near drowning of a passenger. Victim was found floating face down in the water when a good Samaritan arrived to assist. The Victim was transported by EMS to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased by a Dr at 1314hrs. Autopsy report indicated cause of death was drowning.
  