RedactedNarrative: Notification and Response: I was patrolling Doctors Lake near Orange Park when I heard the Operator of V-1 notify the USCG Sector Jacksonville that his vessel was in distress near Green Cove Springs. I made contact with the USCG and advised them that I would respond to the incident. I maintained contact with the USCG until I arrived on scene. 
  
  Prior to Collision: 
  V-1 was traveling south on the St. Johns River. The operator later stated that his voyage was from South Carolina and he was making for Green Cove Springs Marina. V-1 was being operated under auxiliary engine power. The weather condition prior to the accident was poor. Winds were gusting from the Northeast with gusts to 39mph. Seas were 3-6'. The operator of V-1 stated later stated that approximately 3-4 miles north of Green Cove Springs he lost steering. The operator of V-1 stated that he attempted to correct steering by putting up a jib sail but V-1 was overcome by wind. The operator of V-1 stated that when he saw that he was rapidly approaching the St. Johns River West shoreline and attempted ,to deploy his anchor. He also notified the United States Coast Guard via VHF radio. 
  
  At Collision: 
  The anchor that the Operator of V-1 deployed was not substantial enough to hold V-1 in the wind gusts. V-1 eventually came to rest upon the dock where it became grounded in the mud. I made several attempts to pull V-1 (using my patrol vessel) prior to V-1 coming to rest against the dock but was unable to make headway. Several neighbors responded to the dock and attempted to keep V-1 from pounding the dock due to the wind and waves striking the hull of V-1. The Operator of V-1 advised that he was a member of TowBoat US and I was able to contact them for recovery efforts. Minor damage occurred to the dock when V-1 came to rest against it and while waiting for tow. 
  
  Post Collision: 
  TowBoat US responded to the scene and was able to remove V-1 and tow it into Green Cove Springs Marina. 
  Damage Assessment: While the TowBoat US operator was removing V-1 the stern of V-1 struck the dock and caused damage to the decking. The dock damage was photographed. V-1 had minor damage to the stern where the dingy davit was and to the tow rail. A photograph of V-1 being pulled away from the dock as well as photographs of damage to the dock afterwards are attached to this report. 
  Machinery Failure: It is unknown at this time what caused the steering to fail, however I did see that the steering wheel was free spinning and did not appear to operating the rudder of V-1 
  Conclusion: 
  No navigation rules were violated in this accident. The accident may have been prevented if the operator of V-1 had an additional anchor or a substantial anchor to deploy prior to becoming grounded and coming to rest on a residential dock. This investigation is complete.