Vessel 1 was in operation when the Operator heard a loud bang and lost all power and steering on Vessel 1.  The Operator then opened the engine compartment and observed water entering Vessel 1.  The Operator then contacted a towing company and the Coast Guard for assistance.  Watercraft Officers arrived on scene (waved down by the Operator) and assisted with dewatering Vessel 1 by using a manually operated dewatering pump to assist the bilge pump until the towing company arrived.  After being towed to Whiskey Island, Vessel 1 was lifted and placed into a cradle at which time it was immediately observed that the lower unit was just hanging on by the steering arms and was broken loose from the transom mount.  Inspection by an insurance adjuster concluded that the Operator had not struck anything with Vessel 1 (as was suspected at the beginning), but instead the gimble ring had failed from stress, causing the lower unit to be detached from the transom, and allowing water to begin entering the engine compartment.
Cleveland                     