RedactedNarrative: Due to the fact that there were no survivors from and no witnesses of this accident, the circumstances surrounding this accident are largely unknown. The Victim that was serving as the Operator at the time of the accident was unable to be determined. 
  
  According to the families of the Victims, the group of four persons aboard Vessel 1 left dock to fish and did not return as expected later that evening. The last contact with any of the Victims was t 6:35 p.m. via cell phone. The families reported the group missing at 9 p.m. that evening at which time a search was started. Vessel 1 was found partially submerged on a shoal a few miles from shore near the Davis Besse nuclear power plant. The search continued for the Victims with two of the Victims recovered on April 17, the third Victim recovered on May 6, and the final Victim recovered on May 8. The first two Victims were found wearing PFDs - one being worn correctly, and one not being zipped. The other two Victims were not wearing PFDs upon recovery. There was no obvious trauma to any of the Victims and alcohol was not considered to be a factor in this accident. 
  
  Investigation revealed that there no maintenance issues with the motor although the motor's black box was disabled. There was minimal damage to Vessel 1. The two stern motors were destroyed from Vessel 1 resting bow up, on the bottom, in rough seas upon discovery. The plastic cover to the trolling motor head was broken and the support arm had two cracks. This appeared to be from the prop end of the trolling motor being forcefully pushed up from the deck. 
  
  There were two GPS units on Vessel 1. One was inoperable; the second would turn on, but the card reader was inoperable. The Investigator was able to get the last known position (location description) from Vessel 1 which showed that it was travelling west when it took a ninety-degree turn south for twenty-four feet. Vessel 1 was recovered approximately 3/4 mile west of this position.