RedactedNarrative: Operator had been using his vessel to transport family and friends up river to a sand bar.  Operator admitted to drinking some alcohol but couldn't remember how much.  He had just transported a friend down river to a beach as his friend was departing for the day and was on his way back up river with his son.  His son saw a train on the south side of the river and asked his dad to drive the boat closer in order to see it.  Operator indicated that he drove the vessel closer to southern shore and was travelling at a speed to be about 20 mph.  He lost control the  vessel's steering and surmised that the outboard engine had come into contact or was submerged in the bottom muck of the river rendering his steering inoperable.  He reduced the throttle to neutral but the forward momentum carried the vessel towards a tree over hanging the waterline.  He had just enough time to grab his son and hugged him to protect him and ducked down to prevent injury to him and his son.  The vessel impacted with a tree and came to rest in the water.  Operator immediately lost vision in both of his eyes but was able to calmly instruct his son to find him a whistle.  The whistle was used to summons help for other boaters in the area.  He was able to find a line and secure the boat to the tree in order to prevent the boat from drifting away from its current position.  His son did not sustain any injuries.  They were helped back to the ramp.