RedactedNarrative: On Friday, March 24, 2017, at approximately 8:00 am, the owner/operator stated that his vessel began taking on water and did capsize in the Manatee River just east of I-75. He was stranded in the river for approximately two hours until he was picked up by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office vessel
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  1. V1 was recently purchased and had just put V1 in the water to test it.
  2. He stated, “I put the boat in on the North side of the river in Ellenton from behind Woody’s Grill.”
  3. V1 traveled west to US 41 Desoto Bridge and had returned east past the I-75 Bridge.
  4. V1 began to take on water and eventually capsized and sank near channel marker 9.
  5. He stated, “I secured the drain plug in the vessel.”
  
  6. Operator was in the water for 2 hours, until being picked up by Manatee County Sheriff’s vessel.
  I went through a list of items with Operator to determine what he was able to recover and unable to recover when V1 capsized. Operator was only able to recover two life jackets and two fishing poles. He was unable to recover a pair of shoes, two gas cans, a knapsack, a captain’s chair, and a bicycle. 
  Meanwhile, V1 had drifted out of the channel, so it was no longer a navigational hazard. Later that day, Operator and his cousin returned to the scene to retrieve V1. Per Operator, V1 appears to be a total loss including the five horsepower outboard engine. 
  In conclusion, while V1 was recreational cruising in Manatee River, due to operator inexperience and bad weather conditions, the vessel began to take on water and did capsize and sink. The vessel and many of its contents were a total loss. The owner/operator of V1 was stranded in the river for 2 hours until he was picked up by MSO.
  