V1 WAS TRAVELING NORTHEAST IN A CANAL SYSTEM IN THE BURNTSTORE ISLES AREA.  TRAVELING AT 10-15 MPH IN A SPEED RESTRICTED AREA, THE OCCUPANT SHIFTED HIS WEIGHT CAUSING A GAS TANK TO SLIDE TO THE STERN OF THE VESSEL.  THE GAS TANK STRUCK THE OPERATOR IN THE ANKLE CAUSING HIM TO RELEASE THE TILLER HANDLE OF THE OUTBOARD.  V1 STEERED UNCONTROLLED INTO A DOCK PILING CAUSING THE OCCUPANT TO BE EJECTED.  THE OPERATOR SHUT DOWN THE OUTBOARD AND JUMPED IN THE WATER TO ASSIST THE OCCUPANT.
PUNTA GORDA                   