RedactedNarrative: On 2-14-15 at approximately 1220 hours, I Officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, responded to a reported boating accident in Little Sabine.  When I arrive on scene, I observed a 38 foot vessel tied off to the Pensacola Beach Marina dock and list to the port side.  I made contact with the owner of the vessel and asked him what had happened.  Operator advised that while he was operating his vessel in Little Sabine, he heard a crunching sound from the port engine compartment.  He said the vessel immediately started taking on water.  He said he was able to secure the vessel to the dock before it port side sank.  Operator advised he made arraignments to have to vessel towed to the Pensacola Ship Yard.
  
  On 2-17-15, I went to the Pensacola Ship Yard to inspect the Operator’s vessel.  The vessel was on blocks when I arrived.  I looked under the vessel at the port shaft and observed a hole in the hull where the shaft entered the hull.  I then looked in the port engine compartment and observed a 1 foot by 2 foot fiberglass patch had separated from the hull creating an 8 inch diameter hole in the hull.  It appears that the fiberglass patch was not secured properly and eventually separated causing the boat to sink.
  I have nothing further to report at this time.