RedactedNarrative: SYNOPSIS:
  
  Responded to reports of a sinking houseboat in Last Chance Canyon.  Located houseboat Grand Reflection moored/anchored to shore in Last Chance Canyon.  Vessel had received damage to the outdrive and hull seal causing it to take on water.  Hole was partially sealed and bilge was keeping up with leak.  
  
  INITIAL CALL:
  
  At approximately 1600 hours on 7/27/18 NPS Dispatch put out a call for a sinking houseboat in Last Chance Canyon.  Dangling Rope NPS Rangers responded from Dangling Rope Marina.  Reports were the vessel was approximately 3/4 back in the canyon in a side cove.  The NPS Rangers and I started searching coves for the houseboat approximately 1/2 way back.  I was flagged down by a ski type vessel in one side canyon and they stated they were with the houseboat.  I followed them back to their houseboat and NPS Rangers also followed us.
  
  INVESTIGATION:
  
  I found the vessel was not sinking.  During an escalated wind time they were attempting to anchor the vessel to the beach at their location.  The port side motor had been un-operable for the whole trip.  During the wind event the starboard side outdrive and struck rocks in the area and the through-hull seal had also been severely damaged.  This caused the vessel to begin taking on water in the starboard motor compartment.  A nearby good samaritan helped them block most of the leak with towels and the bilge was then able to pump out the reported 2 feet of water in the motor compartment.
  
  I had the vessel operator and owner fill out a witness statement.  I had them start the generator to make sure they could charge their batteries and keep the bilge running.  I instructed them to use their ski vessel to exit the canyon and get cell coverage where they could call the antelope marina where they moored their houseboat.  I told them that either antelope marina or Aramark could send a mechanic out to survey the damage and tow the vessel back in.
  
  VOLUNTARY STATEMENT - operator
  We're pulling into the beach and wind picked up and lost control of boat. Pulled motor and used Seadoo's to try to control, but wind was more than we could handle. Finally beach boat and outdrive was leaking water. Started to sink, were able to reduce leaking around drive shaft and pump out water. Still leaking, but slow no operating motor on boat.
  