the operator of unit 1 was traveling from the russellville boat landing to coon island on lake moultrie to retrieve camping equipment that he abandoned on the island due to stormy weather. During his trip he struck a wave which ejected him from his vessel. He was also carrying on the vessel a kayak. when he was ejected from the 14' vessel (sc7495 ub) with a manually operated tiller handle (mercury 18hp), he grabbed the side of the vessel, and when he let go, he struck by the propeller several times. two witnesses  witnessed the accident and transported him back to russellville boat landing in st. stephen approximately 1/4 mile from the incident. witness1 called 911 and berkeley county dispatch contacted scdnr dispatch and cpl. received the call at approximately 1930 hours. when cpl called witness1 back she told cpl what she had seen and that the vesssel was still running by itself in circles approximately 1/4 mile from the boat landing. the operator/victim was transported to MUSC by bereley county ems. scdnr PFC went to MUSC where he met with the operator /victim and received his witness statement. cpl arrived on scene at russellville boat landing at approximately 2030 hrs. and she could hear the vessel off in the distance still running however; she could not see it in the dark. the water was extremely choppy at that time with high winds and a lake wind advisory in effect for lake moultrie for the entire day and into the next day. Cpl was able to locate the vessel approimately 3/4 mile from the boat landing. it was on the opposite side and diagonal from the boat landing wedged up in the grass, and in between some trees. she was able to turn off the motor and after several attempts was able to pull the vessel from its location and tow it back to the boat landing. with assistance from charleston county deputy, who was called by the family of the operator/victim, I was able to get the vessel onto its trailer. Deputy was requested by the family to drive the truck SC Tag # CYD 149 and the trailer with the vessel back to the operator/victim's fathers home. the vessel was purchased by the operator/victim's father the day prior to this incident. the operator/victim as of may 4, 2011 is home from the hospital and in recovery from his wounds. Being an experienced boat operator he took a very small aluminum vessel out on lake moultrie, carrying a kayak, while also carrying a large plastic tote and heavy wood box, while there was a high wind advisory. He has been charged with negligent boat operation SC Code of laws 50-21-110 with a requested bond amount of $160.00 set for july 11, 2011 at 1000 hrs. at central summary court in moncks corner.