On 11/25/12 operator launched his 20'10" Sea Ray (TX 1384 EL) on the Tres Palacios River for a boat ride.  At approximately 12:30 pm, after slowly motoring about one mile north of the FM-521 bridge, Operator1 accelerated to bring the boat on plane, when they heard an explosion, and the engine cowling blew off into in the air.  The engine compartment was burning. Operator1 attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher, but was unable to put out the flames, so both jumped into the water trying to get away from the smoke and flames. A nearby boater came to assist them with his fire extinguisher. The fire still could not be put out. He helped both Operator1 and occupant out of the water and got them to shore. The boat burned to the water line, and sank near the west bank of the river.
Palacios                      