Synopsis: Wakeboard boat sank that had nine people on board. No one was hurt. Auxiliary coast guard assisted in rescuing the nine souls. 


Narrative:

On August 19th 2023 at approximately 13:15, I was notified by dispatch of a possible sunken boat. Dispatch sent me a picture of where the phone was pinging and it appeared to be just south of freeway bay and just north of the south marina. RANGER then met me at the ranger boat dock and we headed out on the water. I notified auxiliary coast guard of the situation and possible location since they were already out on the water. 

Assistant and I scanned the waters as we headed towards the possible sunken vessel location when we were flagged down by a boat with several people on board that was dead in the water but it was not our sinking boat so we told them we'd be back and moved on. 
As Assistant and I moved on, the coast radioed and said they had found the sunken boat and passengers. 7 of the passengers had been picked up by a good citizen, on a wakeboarding boat, that had gotten there just before the coast guard. The coast guard then picked up the remaining 2 in the water, one of them being the owner and operator of the sunken vessel. The operator tied a bumper onto the sunken boat to mark it before getting into the coast guards boat. 
Assistant and I headed to the south marina with the coast guard and the wakeboarding boat shortly behind us. Once everyone was on the dock at the south marina I collected everyone's information and accounts of what happened.

According to the operator and passengers, they had one of their passengers, wake surfing behind them and their ballast tanks were full to make the wake. Most of the other passengers were sitting towards the front of the boat. When the wake surfer fell into the water the operator came off plane and turned to collect the surfer. When coming off plane the bow dipped down a bit and when the operator turned, he turned into a big wave caused by the wind that had started to gust. They then were hit with two more big waves causing them to take on even more water. It was too much water for the boat. The boat began to sink. The passengers were able to get life jackets on before the boat completely sank. The boat sank in about 22 or 23 feet of water and the bow of the boat was just beneath the surface of the water. Luckily a couple of them had their cell phones and were able to call 911. 

The main contributing factors in this case seems to be the wind and large waves versus a full boat. Unknown if there was any mechanical failures that contributed. No signs of alcohol or impairment involved. No injuries and no one requested medical. 

Owner of the boat will be contacting his insurance to coordinate a recovery of the sunken vessel. 

A hazard buoy was placed to keep other boats from the sunken vessel. 

I forgot to get the information of the 9th passenger, younger 8 year old son. I will attempt to contact to get the son's name and birthday. 


END OF REPORT 
Willard Bay
willard                       