The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that the probable cause of the grounding of the recreational vessel 6 Saturdays near St. Augustine, Florida, was the captain's decision to navigate through an area known to have shoals instead of the marked entrance channel.
The incident occurred on June 19, 2024, when the 55-foot (16.8-metre) vessel grounded on shoals at the north side of the St. Augustine Inlet. After the grounding, the captain maneuvered into deeper water where the vessel began taking on water and partially sank. The captain and one passenger abandoned the vessel and were rescued by local first responders; there were no injuries. Damage to the vessel was estimated at $1 million.
According to the NTSB's report, the navigation chart for the area contained a cautionary note warning of frequent changes in depth due to shifting shoals. The captain stated he had been through the inlet "many times" previously but was unaware of any local navigational warnings and could not recall seeing any navigational aids.
The NTSB found the captain did not navigate toward the lighted whistle buoy to follow the buoyed channel, instead proceeding directly through the shoal water at about 15 knots.
After the grounding, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issued a civil penalty to the captain for, "reckless or careless operation of a vessel".