On 3/5/11 operator and one person were fishing the Dreams Come True bass tournament in the Atchafalaya Basin.  Operator was operating a 20' Triton Tr 200 bass boat that was powered by a Mercury 250 hp Pro XS.  At about 11:45 AM they were headed out of Middle fork Bayou, towards Bayou Long. At this time, it was raining hard and there was a small patch of grass floating in the middle of the bayou. 
As the vessel passed at about 35 mph, the motor struck a submerged log. the motor kicked up out of the wter and broke the motor bracket. After the motor bracket broke, the propeller struck the starboard rear side of the vessel and then fell back in the water. The motor was only attached by the throttle cables and the wiring harness. Operator was wearing his kill switch lanyard and both subjects were wearing their pfd. Neither subject sustained any injuries nor was alcohol believed to be involved.  Upon inspection of the vessel, Sgt. found dark water logged wood embedded in the water intake on the front of the lower unit. This indicated that the motor struck a submerged log or stump.  The motor bracket was snapped clean and the power tilt ram was broken, snapping towards the starboard side. There was a prop cut on the starboard rear side of the vessel , about 18" from the stem. There was aquatic grass and water hyacinth embedded in the prop cut on the hull.  This indicated that there was grass betweeen the log and motor at the point of impact. The vessel was equipped with hydraulic steering. There was no other apparent damage to the vessel.

Pierre Part                   