Vessel 1, with two persons on board, was on the second of two trips out onto the lake, just coming out of the harbor, when the Operator/Occupant heard a large thump which rocked Vessel 1 sideways.  The Operator reported that it felt as though the collision occured directly under him near the starboard side of Vessel 1.  The Operator than placed Vessel 1 in neutral and observed what looked like a large diameter telephone pole or log bobbing just below the surface of the water near Vessel 1.  Noticing the engine vibrating slightly, the Operator/Occupant opened the cabin door to the below deck and observed water rushing into the cabin space, filling it quickly.  The Occupant/Operator donned PFDs, grabbed additional type IV PFDs, fired two flares into the air, and tried using the marine radio for assistance (unsuccessful as the radio had shorted out from the water).  Both parties used their cell phones to contact 911 as well.  The Coast Guard arrived on scene and assisted both partied from Vessel 1 as Vessel 1 submerged with only the bimini top and the masthead light visible above the surface of the water.  It was determined that Vessel 1 would not be recovered as it posed no significant environmental hazard and was not a hazard to shipping or other vessels.
Ashtabula                     