ON 3/5/11, AT ABOUT 3:45 PM, THE OPERATOR AND THREE PASSENGERS LAUNCHED THE VESSEL IN THE ROANOKE RIVER AT THE WELDON BOATING ACCESS AREA TO GO FISHING.  THE OPERATOR HEADED DOWN STREAM FROM THE BOAT RAMP AT ABOUT 10 TO 15 MPH.  HE HIT A LARGE ROCK UNDER THE SURFACE OF THE WATER THAT HE COULD NOT SEE.  HE STOPPED THE VESSEL TO CHECK THE MOTOR AND SAW THAT THE LOWER UNIT ON THE MOTOR WAS DAMAGED.  ANOTHER FISHERMAN THEN TOWED HIM BACK TO THE RAMP.
WELDON                        