RedactedNarrative: On September 30, 2018 I was dispatched to a boating accident on Lake Clinch involving an airboat and two occupants. Polk County Sherriff’s Office was on-scene and all swimmers were out of the water. The vessel was occupied by the stated operator, Operator 1 , with one passenger. Operator 1 expressed that he was operating his vessel (Florida Registration Number: FL2335RH) from the shoreline on a western heading toward the center of Lake Clinch. Operator 1 expressed that his vessel’s bow submerged(plowed) into an oncoming wave resulting in the vessel capsizing. All identities and vessels were verified through FCIC/NCIC databases by Tampa Regional Communications Center(Dispatch).
  
  Before Accident: At approximately 2:10 p.m. on September 30, 2018 Operator 1 expressed that he attempted to utilize his vessel to assist a disabled vessel in the center portion of Lake Clinch. The vessel left the shoreline from the vicinity of N27 44.3963 / W081 32.2974. Operator 1 expressed that the vessel was operating at approximately 15 miles per hour. The vessel was on an approximate, 306 degrees heading for approximately 2523 feet to where the vessel was later located on the lake bottom. 
  
  During Accident: Operator 1 expressed that he was operating the vessel for approximately 3 minutes when the bow of his vessel did not rise above an oncoming wave, making contact with the center portion of the wave. The wave broke into the vessel causing a large amount of water to enter the hull area, resulting in the vessel quickly (approximately 5 seconds) sinking below the waterline. 
  
  After Accident: The vessel capsizing was observed by an observer. The observer expressed that he utilized his vessel (Florida Registration Number: FL8956RR) to retrieve Operator 1 and the passenger from the water. The observer initiated his “man overboard” button on his GPS near the capsized location.
  
  When I arrived on scene at 3:18 p.m., Polk County Sherriff’s deputy (Polk County Case Number: 2018-45928), and two Frostproof Fire Department Divers were with Operator 1. The passenger was no longer on scene when I arrived. Polk County Sherriff’s Deputy and Operator 1 expressed that no one was injured, and vessel was still submerged in the water. Operator 1 briefly explained the aforementioned events. I observed no signs of impairment from Operator 1. Operator 1 expressed that witness and the two Fire Department divers are going to assist in the recovery of the vessel. 
  At approximately 4:00 p.m. I launched my patrol vessel and continued to the suspected capsizing location. I was able to confirm the approximate location of the vessel as N27 44.640/W081 32.678.  The divers were able to affix a tow line to the vessel enabling the witness to tow the submerged vessel to the shoreline. The at approximately 4:50 p.m. the vessel was recovered from the shoreline onto Operator 1 trailer. 
  I observed a black and orange “homemade” airboat bearing Florida registration number FL2335RH(Image 1-5). I observed all USCG safety equipment as well as miscellaneous contents of the vessel to include tool bag, pistol type flare gun, empty cooler, and oil containers (Image 6-10). I observed multiple locations of damage. Both rudders were dented in on either side, believed to have been caused by laying on the propeller cage while submerged (Image 17-19). As well as the propeller cage, longitudinal stringer above the rudders were deformed were the port side was forced off line, and above the starboard side (Image 20). 
  
  During the safety inspection portion, the vessel was found to have an empty, unserviceable, fire extinguisher on board as well as the vessels HIN was not displayed. I issued Operator 1 two written warnings for the aforementioned violations.