RedactedNarrative: Operator #1 Stated in Effect:
  
  While in the Cape May Harbor the operator knew there was water in the bilge mixed with fuel and oil.  He did not want to pump out the bilge in the harbor and planned on waiting until he was well offshore.  He was up in the bridge operating the vessel as they departed Cape May Inlet. The vessel was outbound of the inlet when he noticed the vessel was riding lower in the water than usual.    He stated the exhaust flaps on the stern of the vessel were underneath the waterline.  He stated there were approximately eleven 55-gallon drums of diesel fuel on the stern of the vessel.  There were 6 all blue drums, 4 all white drums and 1 white drum with a black cover.  He decided to turn around and made it back inside the inlet when the engines stopped working.  The vessel began to sink towards the stern.  The vessel sank quickly and they had to break the window of the cabin to remove Passenger1 from inside the sinking vessel.  They did not have time to put on life jackets.  They got Passenger1 freed from inside the vessel and abandoned ship.
  
  Passenger2 Stated in Effect:
  
  I was in the enclosed bridge with Operator #1.  We noticed the vessel was riding low and the exhaust flaps were under the waterline.  There were approximately six 55-gallon drums on the stern of the vessel.  We decided to turn back and got inside the inlet when the engines stopped working.  The vessel began to sink towards the stern.  The vessel sank quickly and we abandoned ship.  
  
  Passenger1 Stated in Effect:
  
  I was inside the cabin when the boat began to sink.  I was stuck and they had to break a window to pull me out.  The boat sunk so quickly we were unable to put on life jackets.
  
  Investigation Revealed:
  
  Vessel #1 was transiting from Brooklyn, New York to Barbados.  Vessel #1 came into the port of Cape May at approximately 2 pm where the crew purchased two 4D batteries from Tony's Marine Supply and fueled up with approximately 190 gallons of diesel fuel from Cold Spring Fish and Supply.  While in port, the operator noted the vessel's bilge had a substantial amount of water within.  He also noticed the water was mixed with fuel or oil due to its rainbow sheen appearance.  Operator #1 planned on pumping out the bilge when the vessel was well offshore.  At approximately 9 pm, vessel #1 was outbound of the Cape May Inlet with approximately 270 gallons of diesel fuel within the vessel's integral fuel tank and various reports indicate anywhere from six to eleven 55-gallon drums filled with diesel fuel located on the stern deck of the vessel.  Vessel #1 was approaching the "2Cm" bell buoy when the operator noticed the stern of the vessel riding low and the exhaust flaps were below the waterline.  Operator #1 turned the vessel around and re-entered the Cape May Inlet.  Approximately 200 yards inside the inlet, the vessel's engines stopped working and the stern sank below the surface.  The vessel sank from the stern towards the bow.  Operator #1 and Passenger2 were on the bridge of the vessel and had to break a window of the cabin to remove Passenger1 from the sinking vessel.  Passenger1 sustained a minor laceration to his right forearm.  All occupants abandoned the sinking vessel without life jackets and were rescued a short time later by a USCG vessel crew from Station Cape May.
  
  The cause of the vessel sinking can be contributed to the overloading of weight on the stern of the vessel and the weight from the amount of water that was already present in the bilge of the vessel.  The weight from the 55-gallon fuel drums forced the stern of the vessel below the waterline and water entered through the exhaust and into the hull.  At the time of this report the identity of the vessel is unknown.  The vessel's name was only recently given by the owner and not officially documented.  Both the owner and the operator stated the documents for the vessel were in a briefcase that was on board the sunken vessel.  Those documents have not been recovered.  The owner stated the vessel was not registered or documented in the United States.  At this time, the vessel is resting at the bottom of the Cape May Inlet in approximately 25 feet of water.  USCG Sector Delaware Bay is handling the pollution investigation and has not approved the salvage process at this time.  SeaTow Cape May has been contracted to recover the loose 55-gallon fuel drums.  At this time, SeaTow has recovered 5 total drums which included 3 white plastic drums and 2 blue plastic drums.  Two additional plastic drums have been recovered on the USCG Station Cape May's beach.  
  
  Accident Investigation determined from Operators and Witness Statements.
  