RedactedNarrative: On September 11th at approximate 1545 hours I witnessed operator operating his vessel on Cedar Creek River with two occupants on board.  Operator left the Cedar Creek boat ramp and began to travel north on the Cedar Creek River. While travelling North on the river I witnessed Operator accelerate his vessel above Slow No Wake seed, at which time he ran aground  a mud flat approximately a half a mile North of the boat ramp in a posted Slow No Wake Zone located on the mud flat.  I then witnessed Operator back off of the mud flat and continue north into the Mispillion jetty.  Approximately 5 minutes later I witnessed white smoke towards the end of the Mispillion jetty moving South bound toward Cedar Creek River.  I then witnessed Operator operating his vessel heading South on Cedar Creek with white smoke coming from the stern of his vessel. 
  
  While Operator was heading South on Cedar Creek he ran aground on the mud flat again located a half mile North of Cedar Creek Boat Ramp. When Operator struck the mud flat the smoke changed white to black smoke and Operator and the other occupants exited the boat into the river.  At this time, Cpl. and I boarded patrol vessel MP Echo in Cedar Creek and began to respond towards Operator''s vessel.  While in route to Operator''s vessel, there was a good samaritan vessel approaching heading South on Cedar Creek.  Good sam was returning from fishing, and had stopped and allowed Operator and the other passengers to board his vessel.  We then confirmed that the fire was out on Operator''s vessel, and meet them at Cedar Creek boat ramp for an interview. 
  
   Operator stated that he was unfamiliar with the area and ran aground on a mud flat located half mile north of the boat ramp. He then stated after running aground on the mud flat he backed off of it and continued to travel North bound and into the Mispillion jetty. Operator stated that when he reached the end of the jetty his motor began to smoke, and he turned around and started to head back to Cedar Creek boat ramp. While heading back he stated that he ran aground the mud flat again located a half mile North of the Cedar Creek boat ramp. Operator stated that after hitting the mud flat the second time he witnessed a flame coming from the stern of his vessel and he and the passengers exited his vessel into the river and then boarded Good sam''s vessel.  During the interview Slaughter Beach Fire Company arrived to Cedar Creek boat ramp and launched their vessel to assist.  Slaughter Beach Fire Company then towed Operator''s vessel off of the mud flat to Cedar Creek boat ramp for damage assessment.  Through assessment the fire was contained in the engine compartment and was extinguished by an inboard Halon System. 
  
   Through my investigation I determined the cause of the accident was from Operator operating his vessel above a slow no wake speed in a slow no wake zone that he was unfamiliar with, which caused him to run aground and the motor to catch fire. 
  
  Pending charges for Slow No Wake Violation.