RedactedNarrative: V1 was north of the marker "WR2" traveling west at 10 MPH in the Gulf of Mexico near the USS Massachusetts.  V1 struck the partially exposed portion of the USS Massachusetts with the keel at stern.  
  
  V1 sustained substantial damage to its keel. After impact, V1 returned to Lost Key Marina.  Operator and one passenger left Lost Key Marina in a single engine 22' Sea Hunt vessel on the morning of 04/01/17 to fish in the Gulf of Mexico.  
  
  Operator navigated the vessel to the USS Massachusetts where he was attempting to locate a place to fish.  Operator stayed north of the marker that marks the sunken ships location.  Operator was unaware that part of the ship is just below the waterline and is not always visible, depending on the tide and water conditions.  The waves were 2 to 4 feet, Operator operated the vessel over a wave and as the vessel came down off the wave the vessel struck the area of the ship that is just below the waterline.  Operator was unaware of the amount of damage to his vessel and decided to return to Lost Key Marina.  Operator and his passenger were uninjured.  
  
  The marker that marks this area is approximately 150 yards south of the actual partially exposed areas of the ship.  Operator being unaware if this was a contributing factor in the accident.
  