Subject was operating his vessel, TX 6479 JX, a 23 foot JH performance boat, powered by a 200 horse power mercury motor, controlled by remote steering.  Operator was traveling south in West Cove the lower unit on his motor struck a submerged object.  When Operator raised his motor he found there to be severe damage to the lower  unit, and later found the motor was a total loss.  Operator had two other passengers onboard his vessel at the time of the incident; none of the men were injured. vessel was equipped with a sufficient number of personal flotation devices, but they were not being worn.  The kill switch was not attached to the operator.  Neither alcohol nor drugs was suspected.  The type of incident is strike a submerged object.  Operator was cruising at the time the incident occurred.  Contributing factor to the incident was the underwater object.
Hackberry                     