Operator #1 stated: " we were cruising up the side.  I did see the dredge pipe, but I did not realize that it went across the entire channel.  I hit the pipe and the boat stopped.  I had no power.  I quickly opened the engine hatch and the engine compartment was filled with water.  I flagged down a passing boater, who quickly came over and let us onto his boat.  He then took us to the boat ramp and left the scene.
 
Investigation revealed:  Vessel #1 was traveling south bound in the ICW.  Operator #1 changed direction and departed the channel of to the starboard side.  Vessel #1 struck a partial submerged dredge pipe which was located just southwest of  ICW marker #266.  Vessel #1 lost power due to the fact that the outdrive became detached from the transom of the vessel after impact.  The hull of the vessel filled with water and the vessel sank to the bottom of the waterway.  Due to shallow water vessel #1 did not sink completely below the surface.  Operator 1 and victim # 2 were exposed to the cold water as the vessel filled and settled to the bottom.  Operator #1 was issued a summons for careless operation. It should be noted that the dredge pip was not located in the channel of the ICW.  It was located outside the channel on the west side.  The dredge pipe had several Orange buoys attached to it to alert oncoming boaters of it's location.
Ocean City