A small Barrington boat containing six teenagers radioed for help last week after it began taking on water off Rumstick Point.

Barrington Harbormaster Ray Sousa said the teenagers told responding harbor patrol and Coast Guard officials that they did not know what had happened, although he questioned that response once the boat was pulled from the water.

Mr. Sousa said that officials towed the boat to Barrington Yacht Club and pulled it out of the water, revealing a 2-foot gash on its hull and a badly damaged propellor.

"The prop was all chewed up," said Mr. Sousa, who said it appeared that the boat had struck a rock or something else while cruising just off the shore. He said the water was about ankle-deep when officials reached the vessel.