RedactedNarrative: On 8/30/2016 I was called by dispatch to respond to a boat accident in West Canyon at approx. 1905MST. While searching within West Canyon in the complete darkness after sunset, I located two males swimming out of the canyon who advised they had been in an accident and were "going for help". The males had been worried that they were unable to summon help with the radio or cell phone from the back of the canyon. We proceeded to the accident site near the back of West Canyon and located the Mastercraft beached on the north side of the canyon near a long sandstone shoal about 8 inches underwater at the current water level of 3613.71 feet. 
  
  I identified the operator. OPERATOR stated he was exiting the canyon and it was near sunset so he had a glare in his eye and on the surface of the water. OPERATOR stated he has been on Lake Powell numerous times and was aware of the underwater rock hazards present, especially in side canyons but stated he did not see this particular rock hazard. The party stated they felt the hazard should have been marked.
  
  At the time of the accident OPERATOR stated he was cruising at approx. 20 mph estimated and was not towing or changing direction. OPERATOR stated they had observed other rock shallows in the canyon but he did not see the shoal which extends from the north shore of the canyon across 2/3 of the canyon. OPERATOR stated his vision was not obstructed by his passengers but he did have a near full boat by weight and capacity. OPERATOR stated his vision was obstructed by sun glare. Per OPERATOR, when the vessel struck ground it lurched the bow up and then the stern coming to a "sudden stop". OPERATOR stated no one was injured in the accident and that he had hit the windshield with his arm but was not hurt. The party was able to swim the boat and guide it along the shoal as they could walk in the shallow water all the way to shore where they anchored it to the sandy beach.
  
  I assisted numerous people onto my boat from the beach as they had built a small fire and climbed up the rock shore to get cell phone reception and find a flat area to rest before help arrived. I counted 16 person on board the vessel and noted 3 of the adults were unable to find a personal floatation device (PFD) to wear as they boarded my vessel. OPERATOR confirmed he was short PFD's but that the children had been wearing them all along including at the time of the accident. I conducted a vessel inspection and found all other safety equipment to be in order. The vessel was taking on water slowly and was grounded on sand. OPERATOR stated he observed the prop was missing blades, the rudder was heavily damaged, the prop shaft seemed to be leaking water around it, and there was significant fiberglass damage on the bottom of the vessel and near the prop/rudder.
  
  I provided courtesy transport of the party back to their houseboat camp in Last Chance Canyon and relayed salvage info for the vessel if OPERATOR was unable to tow it back in the morning with another ski boat. I issued OPERATOR a citation for not enough PFD's onboard at the time of the accident. I completed this report and with rescue time, reporting, and paperwork the case required 12 hours.
  