Two men are missing and presumed dead and one man survived after
their 12-foot fishing boat capsized Sunday morning at the San Luis
Reservoir.
Two men are missing and presumed dead and one man survived after their 12-foot fishing boat capsized Sunday morning at the San Luis Reservoir.
The missing men are 27-year-old twin brothers Kevin Nannini of Monterey and Brian Nannini of Merced, according to Dennis Imhoff, superintendent of San Luis Reservoir.
The other passenger, Mike McMorris of Merced, stayed afloat and survived by holding a buoyant ice chest before another fisherman picked him up, Imhoff said. McMorris was transported to a hospital in Merced County, Imhoff said.
Rescue units have since scoured the 200-foot deep body of water but had not found the Nannini brothers through Monday. San Luis Reservoir rangers have received help in the search from law enforcement agencies in Merced, Sacramento and Tuolumne counties, Imhoff said.
“By now we probably should have had some word or contact certification if they had made it to shore,” Imhoff said.
Imhoff said visibility in the area of the reservoir is extremely poor – about two feet deep. Searchers have used sonar, a remote operational water vehicle and a California Highway Patrol helicopter in the effort, he said.
Investigators suspect the boat capsized at about 7 a.m. Sunday because it was an “overloaded vessel,” according to Imhoff. He said the three men each weighed more than 220 pounds.
There was no evidence of life preservers in the area, and Imhoff said life jackets could have saved their lives. Even if someone is a strong swimmer, he said, it is difficult to stay afloat in the 55-degree water, especially while clothed.
Wind speed was 8-10 mph, which creates a “little chop” in the water. And investigators do not suspect alcohol contributed to the accident.
