RedactedNarrative: On 08/30/2021, a 12 foot zodiac ridged inflatable boat was in the area of Hen and Chickens sanctuary preservation area off Islamorada Florida. Onboard the vessel was the captain and another occupant. The couple arrived at Hen and Chickens reef and tied off their vessel to a yellow SPA Buoy instead of a mooring ball. According to their statement, they tied a line off their bow to a shackle underneath the yellow SPA buoy and back to their bow leaving only between 3 and 6 foot of scope. The couple went on to dive for about 40 minutes and when they resurfaced at about 12:30 PM, the vessel was beginning to break apart and take on water. Occupant boarded first and noticed water inside the vessel and that the sponsons separating from the ridged hull. The hull ultimately separated completely from the inflated sponson except for a small portion which kept the sunken ridged part of the boat suspended off the bottom by the inflatable part which was still stuck to the yellow SPA buoy. 
  USCG and FWC responded, and the 2 persons involved were picked up by USCG and taken to Holiday Isle Marina.
  FWC, arrived shortly after USCG and took photos of the vessel and met operator and passenger at Holiday Isle Marina. I took a written and verbal statement from operator and passenger. Operator mentioned having recent work done to the Zodiac including redoing the sponsons. The breaking apart of the vessel can be primarily attributed to the improper tying of the vessel though the recent work may or may not also be a factor. 
  Nothing Further
  