FBI Brought in to Assist with Investigation of Capsized Yacht

FBI divers are helping Long Island police officials investigating the July Fourth capsizing of a yacht that sank, killing three children.

Nassau County Police Chief Steven Skrynecki said the divers were using sonar and video equipment on Monday to assess the site.  

"The examination of that vessel is a significant aspect of the investigation," Skrynecki said. "The FBI is very well-equipped to survey that site."

Officials were also discussing ways to raise the vessel from where it sank. It is currently resting in approximately 60 feet of water off the coast of Oyster Bay, N.Y.

They hope to raise the boat on Tuesday.

The 34-foot Kandi Won had 27 people aboard — 10 children and 17 adults - when it capsized after a July 4th fireworks display. Three kids, David Aureliano, 12, his cousin, Harley Treanor, 11, and a family friend, Victoria Gaines, were killed when the boat capsized.

A funeral was held Monday for Aureliano and services were scheduled for Tuesday for the two girls.

Skrynecki said investigators were also still trying to determine whether there were enough life jackets on the yacht. Every passenger was required to have a life jacket, although the children were not required to be wearing them while inside the vessel's cabin, where the three bodies were recovered. But he added that authorities may never be able to learn the exact number of life jackets, because some may have floated away.

Boating experts have suggested the vessel was too full and was bound to capsize, but Skrynecki said Monday that aspect of the investigation remained under review.

The yacht's owner, Kevin Treanor, who is related to some of the victims, bought it in April 2011, boating records show. James Mercante, an insurance company lawyer representing Treanor, said last week investigators should look into whether a mechanical malfunction caused the vessel to capsize.

"Thirty-four-foot boats shouldn't roll over, with or without people on it," he said.

The National Weather Service said a thunderstorm moved through the area about 20 minutes after the first 911 call and winds never exceeded 10 to 15 mph.

With the Associated Press