On 6/18/2023 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC),responded to a search and rescue out of Apalachicola. Vessel 1 lost propultion, took on water due to bad weather and capsized.
I interviewed OP1 about the events of the day, and he stated they launched his vessel out of Ten Foot Hole Boat Ramp at approximately 11:00 AM that day to go fishing. They headed South through the Apalachicola Bay, went through Bob Sikes Cut and arrived at their first fishing location at around 12:00 -12:30PM. OP1 stated at around 4:00PM he noticed a storm cell producing on the shore and decided to start their return to the boat ramp. While enroute to the boat ramp the vessel lost full power and would only go approximately 7 miles per hour. They continued North and contacted USCG to advise they were in distress. The vessel began taking on water over the sides and bow. OP1 had all the occupants aboard place a life jacket on. The bilge pumps on the vessel quit working at which point they began bailing water out by hand and gathered the flares and handheld VHF preparing to turn over. The motors cut off and quit working soon after the bilge pumps went out. The boat then capsized, and all the occupants went into the water. They all climbed on the capsized vessel and waited for rescue. OP1 saw the GOOD SAM VSL in the distance, lit a flare and were seen. The GOOD SAM VSL came soon after and retrieved all six occupants.
Gulf of Mexico
EASTPOINT                     