RedactedNarrative: On June 24, 2015 at approximately 0800 hrs I responded to a call for a vessel in distress in the area of Rock Point / Ft. Smallwood Park on the Patapsco River.  I located the 30 foot long Sea Ray named "Lady Ryles" adrift in between White Rocks and Rock Point.  When I made first contact the persons onboard told me that the vessel was taking on water.  There were no injuries and all 4 persons onboard had their PFD's on.  I told the operator to drop anchor to prevent the vessel from drifting.
  
   I boarded the "Lady Ryles" to assess the damage. The forward cabin had standing water in it approximately a foot deep and the bilge pump was steady pumping water from the boat.  I could not tell where the hole in the hull was located.  The bilge pump was able to keep the boat floating high in the water.
  
   The owner/operator told me that he was operating the vessel at the time of the accident and the vessel struck submerged rock that is a part of the rock formation known as White Rocks.  He said they were cruising at approximately 26 knots when the collision occurred.  He believes at the time of the collision the vessel was approximately 150 feet away from White Rocks on the shipping channel side of the rocks.  There are submerged rocks on that side of White Rocks.  The tide was low at the time of the collision.  
  
   Per request, I called TowBoat U.S. and they arrived shortly after to assist.  A dewatering pump was inserted into the cabin and the "Lady Ryles" was towed by the TowBoat U.S. vessel to Middle Branch Marina.  The Marina pulled the vessel out of the water.
  
   I went to Middle Branch Marina to inspect the damage done to the vessel.  Photographs of the damage are attached to this report.  The blades of the starboard propeller were bent towards the stern. Damage consistent with a forward moving propeller striking a hard object.  Hull damage was located on the stringer of the keel. There is a hole in the keel approximately 2 feet long and as wide as the keel stringer.  A large amount of scrapes in the bottom paint around the area of the hole is consistent with a hard object making contact with the hull.  Based on my knowledge, training, and experience I conclude that the "Lady Ryles" struck a submerged rock.
     
     
   See attached Watercraft Accident Report.
     
   All events occurred in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
   