RedactedNarrative: On June 11, 2021, I responded to the Destin Coast Guard Station to make contact with the occupants of a vessel that had cap-sized outside of the Destin Pass. A more detailed narrative to follow.
  According to WITNESS 1's sworn written statement he stated they left Joe's Bayou at approximately 7:30 AM and fished until 12:30 PM. After that which they started to head back in. WITNESS 1 state that the motor would not start. WITNESS 1 then stated they called Towboat US and advised them that they were taking on water and to notify the Coast Guard. WITNESS 1 stated the vessel started drifting and big swells started coming over the transom. WITNESS 1 then stated that the bilge pump could not keep up with the amount of water coming into the vessel. WITNESS 1 stated they started to use buckets to bail out the water. WITNESS 1 stated the vessel started to sink and flipped over. WITNESS 1 stated that they put on life jackets and slid over the side before the vessel flipped over. WITNESS 1 stated that the Coast Guard arrived on scene and pulled them out of the water.
  According to WITNESS 2's sworn statement he stated that the motor would not start. WITNESS 2 then stated that while they were attempting to start the motor the vessel began to take on water, but the bilge pumps could not keep up with the water in the vessel.  WITNESS 2 stated that the vessel captain  attempted to call Towboat US by the app then a physical call to the company. After making contact with Towboat US they contacted the Coast Guard. WITNESS 2 stated that the vessel ended up cap-sizing and all the members jumped from the vessel. WITNESS 2 stated that two "Good Sam" vessels arrived to assist them. WITNESS 2 stated that they then were taken the Coast Guard Station.
  ASSESSMENTS/INSPECTIONS
  On June 11, 2021, I made contact with the Towboat US boat captain at 2 Georges Marina I was able to inspect the damage to the vessel. Right away the Towboat US boat captain showed me that the transom on the vessel was loose and would pull away from the hull. I picked up the skeg of the motor and open a gap between the transom and the lower portion of the hull, enough to drain water out of the hull. The did not appear to be any bolts and / or screws used to secure the transom to the hull. The was a bead of silicone attached, but it did not seal that area. In the photos there are white drain marks from this location. In additional photos (see attached) the vessel had portions on the stern filled with clear silicone in lieu of the mounting screws. The Towboat US captain stated that when he recovered the vessel the "scuppers" were both plugged, not allowing the water to drain properly. The steering linkage was "Extremely" rusted on the outboard motor (see photo). The bow cleat had been pulled away from the fiberglass leaving a gap between the fiberglass and the metal cleat (see photo).
  