RedactedNarrative: On Monday, October 12th, 2020, I, Officer of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), was on uniformed land patrol in an unmarked, “F-150” patrol vehicle in Everglades City, Collier County. 
  
  At approximately 1224 hours a call came through our regional dispatch center for a sinking vessel with three people on board near Sand Fly Pass, within the boundaries of Everglades National Park. 
  
  At approximately 1235 hours, I boarded a marked, National Park Service (NPS) patrol vessel with U.S. Park Ranger to respond to the sinking vessel call.
  
  At approximately 1300 hours Ranger and I located the sunken vessel, bearing registration numbers FL 2553 LS, submerged in approximately 3 feet of water. The three occupants of the vessel were standing on the vessel when we located them. The vessel was located at the following coordinates: N 25 49.293  W 081 23.615 which is inside the boundaries of Everglades National Park. 
  
  At approximately 1309 hours all subjects were accounted for and on board the NPS patrol vessel. All subjects were found uninjured. Officer and I then transported the subjects back to their house. 
  
  Operator called sea tow via his cell phone and had them in route to his location to bring the vessel back to land.
  
  At approximately 1449 hours Officer, Operator and I re-boarded the NPS patrol vessel to escort sea tow to the sunken vessel. We met the sea tow vessel in Chokoloskee Bay and had them follow us to the vessel.
  
  The sea tow vessel was able to pump water out of Operator’ vessel and tow it back to the Rod and Gun Club boat ramp in Everglades City. The sea tow arrived at the boat ramp with Operator’ vessel at approximately 1613 hours. 
  
  After interviewing all subjects on board the sunken vessel, it appears that the three subjects were at anchor, fishing when Operator noticed that the bilge pump was being activated more than usual. He said that he looked in the aft hatches and noticed that it was quickly filling with water. Operator was able to get the vessel to shallower water before the vessel completely submerged. 
  
  After towing the vessel back to the boat ramp, we examined the vessel to determine a possible cause. It appears that the scuppers on the vessel were not equipped with a “through hole” and were taking on water due to the excessive amount of weight in the stern of the vessel (both Operator and his son were fishing from the polling platform).  The Bilge pump eventually shut off and water began to flood the vessel.
  
  There were no injuries throughout the course of this event.
  
  Operator has regained possession of his vessel and it is out of the water on his trailer. 
  
  See attached statements from Operator and sea tow captain regarding the above events.
  
  Nothing further at this time.
  