Vessel one was travelling accross the Lower Laguna Madre south to the Brownsville ship channel. The vessel failed to travel in the marked channels and struck the sand bar that runs along the north side of the brownsville ship channel.  The grounding and the vessels speed caused the operator to be thrown accross the stering controls of the PWC.  The controls were ripped off of the PWC along with the mirrors.  The operator sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Valley Regional Hospital in Brownsville TX.  The passenger was uninjured.  A nearby vessel towed the subjects back to the boat ramp.  It is likely that the operator and passenger were not familiar with navigational aids as well as not being familiar with the shallow water conditions in that area of the bay.
South Padre Island            