RedactedNarrative: V1 was towing V2, when it attempted to come into Ft. Pierce Inlet for fuel and other undetermined reasons. V2 was in disrepair and taking on water.  V2 hull had numerous holes, cracks and leaks within its structure.  V2 was being towed backwards with the stern facing the stern of V1. Two occupants on V2 were manning water pumps. Each person had one pump to watch and ensure it was pumping out water from below the deck of V2.  V1 was having difficulty powering through an outgoing tide. V1 backed off speed, due to the fast outgoing tide and drifted backward toward V2.  V1 fouled its port engine propeller in one towline that was tied to V2.  V1 engines shut off and could not be restarted.  V2 started sinking quickly and the two pumps could not pump the water out fast enough.  V2 started sinking and victim and the other occupant of V2 got into a dingy from V2 and departed from V2.  For unknown reasons both persons came back in the dingy to V2 and climbed aboard V2. As V2 was sinking a pocket of air pulled V2 and victim down quickly.  The other occupant and one dog from V2 were picked up uninjured in Ft. Pierce Inlet by Law Enforcement.  The victim’s body was located 3.7 miles east of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and was pronounced deceased when picked up.  The medical examiner determined  the cause of Death is drowning and the manner of death is accident. He had no alcohol or narcotics in his system.  He was not wearing  a Personal Floatation Device at the time V2 sunk with him aboard.
   
   
  V2 sunk and pulled the stern of V1 down. The operator and occupant of V1 and another occupant of V2 were picked up, by USCG or Ft. Pierce Police Department personnel. The deceased was located approximately 3.7 miles east of the initial accident site. The cause of death was drowning.; 
  
  
   