RedactedNarrative: SYNOPSIS
  I responded to and investigated a grounding. There were no injuries, and there was significant damage to the prop and fin of the vessel. Boat accident report was completed and filed.
  
  INITIAL REPORT
  At approximately 10:10 am on Sunday, August 30, 2020 on Lake Powell, I (Ranger 1) and my seasonal employee were on patrol and came across a grounded vessel. The location of the vessel was between BF buoy 3-4 in the main channel , on the right side of the channel, close to shore. A little before that, I had heard an NPS employee report the incident to NPS Dispatch, and reported that vessel was grounded with no one around it. As I was getting ready to head out on patrol, I decided to respond and investigate further.
  
  RESPONSE/INITIAL CONTACT
  As we approached the vessel, I observed 10-12 individuals standing in the water attempting to push a vessel off the rock and sand bar. As evidenced from people standing in the water, this was a very shallow area the vessel was stuck on. The party had also been attempting to tow out the vessel with their rental houseboat (identified as rental houseboat J8). There appeared to be no injuries, and the vessel was identified as a blue 2020 MB Sports 23 B52. I also observed the bilge running as well. I updated NPS dispatch regarding the incident. Aramark Exec. Services were also on scene, and were advising the group on how to remove the vessel safely off the rock; however they did not tow the vessel. After the vessel had been successfully removed from the rock and sand bar, I made contact with them at Boat Rentals.
  
  NARRATIVE & INVESTIGATION
  I arrived at Boat Rentals and gathered more information from the party. 5 individuals were confirmed to be on board at the time of the incident. Operator stated that the glare that morning had been bad (this occurred shortly after sunrise) and that he had noticed that shallow spot where the boat grounded, prior. He stated that the ballasts on the boat were full and that the vessel was going 9 mph. He said it was hard to see and they got stuck on the rock, and afterwards, immediately put the vessel in neutral. He stated that no one on board was ejected, and that a passenger, Passenger 1, slid a couple feet in the boat due to the impact. The vessel scraped the rock, and was grounded on the rock. Operator stated he jumped in, and that the prop was smashed.
  
  He stated good samaritans on jet skis assisted them, and notified the rest of their party, who were camping in Halls Creek Bay on the rental houseboat. The party went back to the grounded vessel in their houseboat. He stated he hadn't consumed any alcohol, and I did not observe any signs of impairment/alcohol consumption.
  
  Operator stated in his witness statement "We were driving the boat back from dropping off a group of friends. Couldn't see due to sun glare and high centered on the sandbar". Another witness, and passenger on board, Passenger 1, stated, "We were dropping our friends off in the morning to the dock and on our way back we hit a sandbar/rock and it immediately stopped our boat and we all jumped out and tried to push the boat back into the water and had to find people on waverunners to help us. They took us back to our houseboat and then we all came to the boat and tried to push it back in".
  
  The party pulled the vessel out of the water. The damage observed included - the prop was bent and folded over in a couple of spots. A couple pieces of the prop appear to be broken off. The fin/rudder was also significantly bent. There was also some fiberglass/gel coat damage to the vessel, mainly scratches.
  
  I contacted the rental company and spoke with Owner on Monday, August 31, 2020. He is the owner of the vessel. Owner is the owner of First Class Rentals, out of American Fork, UT. I explained the damage that occurred to the vessel, and asked what his estimate for repairs on the vessel would be, and he responded approximately $8,000-$9000. He stated he has had similar accidents with his vessels, and knew specific costs on parts and repair costs. He mentioned the get coat repair could be expensive, and his other concerns were the prop seal, and would have to replace the prop shaft of the vessel. In addition to replacing the prop and fin. Based off the damage and my experience investigating boat accidents, I beleive the vessel was likely traveling faster than 9 MPH, and probably around 20 MPH. There were no ejections of the passengers.
  
  CONCLUSION
  Based on my investigation, interviews with individuals on board, witness statements and pictures - the cause of the vessel grounding was operator inattention. The glare from the morning sun was also a factor in this incident, limiting the visibility of the operator. Failure to obey navigation rules was also a factor, as the navigation buoys weren't adhered to and the vessel was being operated too close to shore. The decreasing water levels of Lake Powell, creating more hazards, are also a factor. Attached to this report are pictures of the damage to the vessel, GPS coordinates, registration and insurance information, and witness statements. Report is complete.
  
  End of Report