The Operator of Vessel 1 was operating in a southeast direction around Buckeye Reef when he saw that he was in shallow water (about 18 feet deep).  The Operator of Vessel 1 then made a hard turn to get to deeper water when Vessel 1 struck something with its prop.  The Operator then instructed another Occupant aboard Vessel 1 to operate while he checked the motor compartment for damage.  Seeing that Vessel 1 was now taking on water, the Operator then took control of the helm once again and headed to the ramp at Put-In-Bay.  Both the Operator and the Occupant aboard Vessel 1 donned personal flotation devices (PFDs) at this point and contacted Rescue Marine for assistance.    Vessel 1 made it to the Put-In-Bay ramp and, after the Operator had offloaded equipment from Vessel 1, and after determining that Vessel 1 would become suberged before the arrival of Rescue Marine, the Operator of Vessel 1 chose to drive Vessel 1 onto the Put-In-Bay ramp to avoid submersion.
Put-In-Bay                    