RedactedNarrative: On May 23rd 2016, I Officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Division of Law Enforcement received information of a vessel aground outside of the Pithlachascotee River. The Coast Guard, Pasco County Marine Deputies and Officer were already on scene when I arrived.
  
  On scene I observed a 48 foot vessel aground listing to the starboard side. Officer and I, boarded the vessel in an attempt to locate anyone in need of medical attention. No one was located aboard the vessel. The vessel did not display any Florida registration numbers. Officer located a folder floating in the water containing a recent bill of sale for the vessel. The bill of sale identified the two owners and the vessel documentation numbers as 541329. Information from the folder is attached.
  
  I attempted numerous times to contact using the phone number provided on the bill of sale. There was no answer and I did not receive a call back. The sister of OWNER1 called Coast Guard to advise both individuals were okay and headed back to Alabama. OWNER1 later called Coast Guard to confirm that he and his son were okay.
  
  On May 27th 2016, I met with Corporal who was calling OWNER1 to question him about the vessel. Once Corporal made contact with OWNER1 he placed the call on speaker and advised OWNER1 I would be listening to the conversation. OWNER1 stated after buying the vessel they began their trip home to Alabama. 
  
  While enroute the vessel began to take on water. The vessel lost steering and he was only able to steer by using the port and starboard engine. When the starboard engine died the vessel began going in circles before running aground. Once aground both OWNER1 and his son abandoned ship and swam to shore. They hitch hiked back to Alabama. OWNER1 stated he tried to notify Coast Guard of the vessel grounding but his VHF would not transmit and once they were ashore his phone no longer worked. 
  
  Corporal advised OWNER1 to make arrangements to have the vessel removed. Corporal will be working this vessel as a derelict. At this time, I have no further involvement or information in this case