OPERATOR OF BOAT SIAD SHE WAS OPERATING THE BOAT AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE CHANNEL INTO THE MAIN BAY WHEN HER HAT BLEW OFF. SHE TURNED AROUND TO GET IT. WHEN SHE GOT NEAR THE HAT SHE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO PORT AND BEGAN DRIVING IN A CIRCLE TRAVELING AT LEAT 10MPH. THE PASSENGER THEN TOOK THE WHEEL SO THE ORIGINAL OPERATOR COULD LEAN OVER AND GET THE HAT. AFTER MAKING 2 FULL TURNS SHE SAID THE BOATS ENGINE BROKE FREE FROM ITS MOUNTS AND BEGAN VIOLENTLY SHAKING. SHE REACHED ACROSS AND TURNED THE BOAT OFF. THAT IS WHEN IT BEGAN TO TAKE ON WATER. AN INSPECTION OF THE BOAT REVEALED THAT THE BOATS ENGINE BROKE FREE FROM ALL OF ITS MOUNTING BRACKETS AND SHIFTED TOWARDS THE STERN ABOUT 2 INCHES, CREATING A CRACK IN THE TRANSOM AND TEARING THE BLACK RUBBER GASKET BETWEEN THE STERN DRIVE AND THE TRANSOM. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE WATER ENTERING THE BOAT. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE FUEL LEAK (AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE DOCK) NECESSITATED A HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CKEAN UP. THE SITE WAS CLEANED UP BY RED J ENVIRONMENTAL, A CONTRACTOR FOR THE NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE. NOTHING FURTHER.
MESA                          