RedactedNarrative: On 1-8-2015 Sgt. responded to a boat taking on water in the area of Common Fence Pt in Portsmouth, RI.  Before Sgt. arrival, Portsmouth Fire arrived at the scene and was able to retrieve the one person on board the vessel which was now aground.  The operator was now being transported to Sakonnet Sportmans dock where a rescue was waiting.  
  
  Sgt. then met with Subject at Sakonnet Sportmans.  He told Sgt. that he was cruising and headed toward Standish Boatyard in Tiverton, RI.  While headed in an easterly direction in Mt. Hope Bay, he approached a turn for the Sakonnet River and struck a submerged rock. The collision compromised the hull and the boat began taking on water.  Subject then said he headed for shore of Common Fence Pt. to beach the boat.  The vessel then ran aground about 100 to 150 yards off shore.  Due to winds and frigid conditions, Subject suffered from slight hypothermia and frostbite to his nose and ears. He refused medical treatment.  
  
  On 1-10-15 Sgt. located the salvaged boat on Riverside Dr. in Tiverton, RI.  Upon examination the wooden boat had been pushed through thick ice for some distance.  There was fresh erosion along the waterline that ran from the bow toward the rear of the boat.  The erosion was approximately 2” high and ½” deep.  The wooden bow stem and several planks which showed obvious damage and had popped their screws from repeated collisions and pressure with thick ice would have also compromised the hull and allowed water to enter into the bilge. Subject’s statement of striking a submerged rock was not the sole cause of the sinking.