RedactedNarrative: On 4/28/2018 a boating accident occurred that consisted of an anchored vessel sinking during recreational fishing by the owner.
  
  My investigation discovered the following:
  
  1) That any breach of the integrity of the hull of the vessel was not a factor in causing the vessel to sink.  I observed no holes or cracks in the hull that could of caused water to enter.
  
  2) That the owner/operator of the vessel stated that he could not offer any explanation of why the vessel sank.
  
  3) That the passengers of the vessel could not offer any explanation of why the vessel sank.
  
  4) That impairment of the owner/operator or the passengers were not a factor in the vessel sinking.  My interview with the owner/operator and the passengers revealed no clues that they may of been consuming alcohol, were impaired by drugs, or were fatigued that resulted in contributing factors to the accident.
  
  5) That Sea Tow discovered that the bilge pump was not operational.  Further that the plug was present when the vehicle was recovered.
  
  My investigation revealed that during several hours of fishing that water may of splashed over the stern resulting in the boat getting heavy enough to sink since the bilge pump was not working.  This gradual filling of the boat by water would of gone unnoticed by the passengers or the owner/operator until the boat started sinking.  Therefore equipment failure resulted in the boat sinking.
  
  Case status:  Non-offense, closed.