RedactedNarrative: On 9/20/2020 Officer and I responded to Port Manatee in reference to a vessel which had capsized several hours earlier near Cockroach Bay in Hillsborough County.  USCG had secured all 7 subjects aboard the vessel and brought them to the Port.
  
  The operator provided verbal and written statements.  He stated that they had originally left from Cockroach Bay Boat Ramp in Hillsborough County and had been heading Southwest towards the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to go fishing.  
  
  He stated there were “lots of other boats out and it was sunny” so they didn’t see a problem with going out.  As they approached the Skyway Bridge, the waves and wind picked up and they decided to turn around and head back.  
  
  Operator1 estimated the waves to be about eight feet tall, though local weather reports showed 2-3’ waves in the Bay with some areas offshore reaching heights of 4-7’. Winds were estimated between 10-20mph with gusts up to 30mph.  
  
  Operator1 and the other occupants aboard the 20’6” Wildcraft vessel (FL 2552 EL) all stated that the vessel started taking on water as the waves crashed over the bow.  The bilge pump was operational, but could not keep up with the amount of water coming in.  
  
  Operator1 stated they had made it within site of the channel markers to Cockroach Bay Boat Ramp when the vessel was overtaken by water and rolled over, displacing all seven occupants from the vessel and into the water approximately a mile offshore.  
  
  One person was the only occupant able to obtain a personal floatation device and all seven subjects clung to or climbed aboard the hull of the capsized vessel.  Operator1 estimated the vessel capsized at approximately 3:20pm and it took between 2-3 hours for them to be noticed by a passing tugboat and for USCG to arrive and secure all seven subjects.
  