On July 1st, 2023, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), was at Dee Dee Bartels boat ramp in Fernandina, when I observed Nassau County Fire Rescue arrive at the boat ramp with their emergency lights on.

Concerned there might have been a boating accident, I approached them and asked what they were on scene for. I was told they received a call about a 40' trawler that was out near the jetties that was taking on water or had possibly sank, with one person on board. They were unsure of any injuries and stated the subject was in a dingy.
At approximately 00:04 hours, NCSO marine unit advised they had located the subject in his dinghy and they were en route back to Dee Dee's boat ramp. NCSO also advised that the vessel had sunk. The subject was checked out by EMS and was okay.

Officer advised OP1's Jeep was parked at City Marina but the subject's keys to the Jeep were on the vessel. Officer transported OP1 to his vehicle where Fernandina Beach PD attempted to use a slim jim to get into the subject's vehicle.

At this time I asked OP1 to provide me with a sworn written statement about the events that lead to the accident, to which he complied. I asked OP1 if he hit the jetties and he stated, "I never felt an impact". OP1 stated he was heading South on the Atlantic side when his starboard engine started smoking and eventually went out.
OP1 stated shortly after the engine went out his vessel started listing and taking on water. 

On July 2nd, The USCG called me in reference to the vessel and wanted information. I provided them with the information that I had and that the only picture I had was the one provided by NCSO. They asked if we had gone back out to the vessel and I told them no, due to events happening with the busy holiday weekend. 

NCSO went out to the vessel to get a better picture of it on July 4th and they advised the vessel was gone. Nassau County ran side sonar to try to locate the vessel at the bottom  and they did not pick up any images of the vessel.

I made contact with Georgia DNR to assist with providing me more information on the subjects vessel and they were not able to pull up any information on the 40' trawler, only his dinghy.

Everything the subject owned was on the vessel at the time it sank, including his phone. I was finally able to get in touch with him to gather information on his vessel needed for this boating accident report.


atlantic ocean
FERNANDINA BEACH              