RedactedNarrative: V1 was travelling southbound from Miami Marine Stadium toward Nixon Sandbar when the vessel began taking on water and sent out an emergency distress signal via VHF Channel 16.
  
  I brought Operator onto my vessel and had him write a statement, describing everything that had occurred. Coast Guard transferred the passengers from the yacht to their vessel, as we waited for SeaTow to arrive. At this point, the water had been successfully pumped out of the vessel, which was now afloat. I asked Operator what the occupancy limit for his vessel was, to which he replied that he did not know but was probably over the limit. Officer was able to pull alongside the vessel, as I located the vessel capacity plate, which stated a maximum rating of 10 persons on board or 1650 pounds. There was noticeable damage to the rear port side of the vessel. I asked Operator about the damage, to which he stated that it had occurred by hitting the side of a dock several months prior, and was unrelated to the current incident. I photographed the damage, as well as the vessel capacity plate, and have included them in this report. I cited Operator for exceeding the maximum persons/weight capacity under Florida Statute 327.52(3). I then returned Operator to Coast Guard’s vessel.
  
  	Based on my investigation and the vessel’s lack of physical damage that would cause water to overtake the vessel, I believe the vessel took on water due to overloading and negligence on Operator’s part. Several of the passengers of the vessel were heavyset individuals. The vessel also had three more passengers than the capacity rating of 10.
  
  