RedactedNarrative: V1 was engaged in offshore recreational fishing activities in the Gulf of Mexico. V1 began flooding by taking water over the transom. A combination of flooding and failure of the bilge pumps resulted in V1 capsizing, forcing the occupants into the water. 
  
  V1 was recovered by of Sea Tow and towed to Sea Tow office in Cape Coral, FL. Capt. stated they removed the plug to right the boat and replaced it once back at Sea Tow office. 
  
  On 4/28/2015, I conducted an inspection of the vessel in the water at Sea Tow in Cape Coral. A mechanic for Sea Tow revealed the transom to be rotted which allowed water to seep into the bilge. I documented the obvious defect with photograghs and video. 
  
  On 5/01/2015, I conducted a second inspection of the vessel out of the water at Sea Tow. The inspection revealed obvious cracks and tearing in the fiberglass around both sides of the motor mount and a large gouge in the fiberglass above the bilge plug. These defects allowed water to seep through the transom material and fill the bilge at a continous rate. 
  
  The weight of four adults, the obvious defects found in the transom, operator inexperience, and choppy sea conditions resulted in the flooding and capsizing of V1.