Operator1 was operating vessel LA 7500 EW, a 19' Southern Skimmer open fiberglass boat powered by a 115 Yamaha with remote steering.  The vessel struck a submerged object in a pass between Cadro and Dennis Pass near the open gulf.  Operator1 was traveling about 20 mph at 3800 rpm when the vessel struck the submerged object. After impact, Operator1 drove the vessel into the canes nearby. Operator1 was able to contact his son, who was fishing nearby, and was able to get off of his sinking vessel.  Within five minutes, the vessel sank.  The vessel had remote steering and Operator1 was not wearing a PFD. The type of incident was, 1 struck submerged object, 2 sinking. Contributing factors are unknown. It is determined that the incident was caused by vessel sinking after striking an unknown submerged object.
VENICE                        