Operator was operating his high performance vessel, la 4829 fe (a ten foot long homemade vessel), on the sabine river.  The propulsion of the vessel is a high performance 40 hp tiller handle motor.  Operator was traveling at a very high rate of speed, and lost control of his vessel, causing him to be ejected from the port side.  After he was ejected, the vessel turned very hard to the starboard side and the propeller struck operator on his left arm causing severe lacerations and broken bones.  Operator was air lifted to st. Patricks hospital in lake charles, from there he was brought to a hospital in lafayette so specialists can attempt to repair his injuries.  Agents came into close personal contact with operator at st. Patricks and did not detect an odor of an alcoholic beverage.  Agents also interviewed subjects at the scene and all indicated that operator was not consuming alcohol.  Operator was wearing a helment, a personal flotation device and the safety cutoff lanyard (attached to the safety cutoff switch).
STARKS                        