Based on statements given by the two occupants of the vessel, on Saturday March 19, 2011 at approx. 11:30 am operator was operating his vessel on Cherokee Lake in Hawkins County.  operator stated that as they were moving in the area of Fall Creek Park he spotted what he believed to be a portion of a log that was possibly partially submerged.  operator stated that he steered the vessel in an attempt to avoid any of the log that might be under the surface.  The log was much larger than operator  had thought and the bow of the vessel slightly struck the submerged object and then immediately the lower portion of the motor struck the object causing the vessel to turn very sharply to the left ejecting operator.  The impact also broke the motor mount and removed the motor from the rear of the vessel causing it to be lost in the lake.  The passenger in the vessel was not ejected from the vessel.  Both men were uninjured in the incident and both were wearing PFDs.  Both men estimated the speed of the vessel at impact to be in the neighborhood of 40 mph.
MORRISTOWN                    