RedactedNarrative: What: Boating Accident 
   When: 04/07/21 at approximately 1730 hours 
   Where: Lake Okeechobee/ Pahokee area 
  Details: 
   On 04/07/21, FWC was dispatched to a disabled vessel in the area of Lake Okeechobee and Pahokee. I responded to the Belle Glade public works and retrieved my vessel.                                                                        
  Summary:  
  I launched my vessel at Torry Island and traveled to the area of Pahokee on Lake Okeechobee. Upon arrival, I observed a vessel off shore of the Pahokee Irons. I navigated to the vessel and discovered it to be operated by a concerned citizen. The citizen advised me he observed emergency vehicles and vessels operating in the area and traveled to them, to see if he could assist. The citizen advised me that he observed fire rescue tow a vessel to the area of the Pahokee Marina and that he tied his life jacket to the sunken vessel.  
   I observed the life jacket floating and navigated to it. I observed the bow of a red vessel protruding out of the water. I traveled to the area of the Pahokee Marina and observed Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR) on the shoreline, alongside of another vessel. PBCFR advised me they would meet me at the Pahokee marina. I arrived at the marina and met with A PBCFR supervisor. The PBCFR supervisor advised me that the operator of the sunken vessel, later identified as, OPERATOR 1 was standing at the top of the levee, along with two other subjects.  
   I walked to the top of the levee and made contact with OPERATOR 1. I asked OPERATOR 1 what happened, and he advised me that he was towing his friend’s, later identified as OPERATOR 2 in because they ran out of gas. OPERATOR 1 advised, that as he was towing the vessel, he noticed his vessel start taking on water. OPERATOR 1 advised he immediately notified his passenger to get onto OPERATOR 2’s vessel. OPERATOR 1 advised his vessel ultimately began sinking and he got onto OPERATOR 2’s vessel. OPERATOR 1 advised fire rescue arrived and towed OPERATOR 2’s vessel to the shoreline.  
   I asked OPERATOR 1 if he hit anything to cause his vessel to take on water and he advised me no. I asked OPERATOR 1 if he thinks his drain plug came out and he advised me he didn’t know. OPERATOR 1 advised he’s not sure what caused his vessel to take on water and sink. I asked OPERATOR 1 if OPERATOR 2 was on shore and he advised me no, he is being towed to the Pahokee boat ramp. I asked OPERATOR 1 if OPERATOR 2 had any occupants on his vessel and he advised me he did. I met the occupant of the vessel. I asked OPERATOR 1 how fast he was going when towing and he advised me less than 10 mph. I asked OPERATOR 1 how much its going to cost to fix his vessel and he advised me approximately $5,000. OPERATOR 1 advised me he just bought the vessel and owned it less than a week.  
   
  A short time later I observed OPERATOR 2’s vessel being towed in. I made contact with OPERATOR 2 and asked him what happened. OPERATOR 2 advised me that OPERATOR 1 was towing him in because he ran out of gas. OPERATOR 2 advised that as he was being towed in, OPERATOR 1’s vessel began taking on water. OPERATOR 2 advised that OPERATOR 1 and OCCUPANT got onto his vessel when OPERATOR 1’s vessel began taking on water. OPERATOR 2 advised that a short time later, he observed OPERATOR 1’s vessel submerged.  
  Conclusion: 
   OPERATOR 1 advised he would be contacting a salvage company to retrieve his vessel. Due to mechanical issues, no citations would be issued and no navigation rules were violated.
  