RedactedNarrative: On 12/4/19 at approximately 5:40 p.m., Operator was operating an 18ft aluminum vessel, LA-4288-FY, powered by a tiller handle outboard engine in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) located in St. Mary Parish. Operator was traveling west when he struck an unknown submerged object. When Operator struck the unknown submerged object, the impact jerked the tiller handle out of Operator’s hand. The vessel’s engine then turned to the side, causing the vessel to make an abrupt turn to starboard. When the vessel made an abrupt turn to starboard, the vessel then began to slide on top of the water, due to the vessel having a flat bottom. The vessel then struck some waves from a commercial tug boat that had just crossed paths with Operator. 
  
  When Operator’s vessel struck the waves with its’ port side chine, it caused the vessel to make an abrupt change in speed, causing Operator, his passenger and dog to be ejected over the port side of the vessel. The vessel then began making circles due to Operator’s kill switch lanyard not engaging properly. The commercial tug boat captain that crossed paths with Operator’s vessel noticed that the vessel was making circles without anybody onboard. The commercial tug boat captain then went render aid to Operator, his passenger and dog. Operator, his passenger and dog, were then later transported back to the boat launch by Detective Lieutenant with St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office to a nearby boat launch. Operator was then examined by Acadian Ambulance Service. Operator then declined to be transported by Acadian and was taken to the hospital by a family member to have his injuries further assessed. 
  Operator and his passenger were not wearing lifejackets (PFD’s) at the time of the incident. Cpl. does not suspect drugs or alcohol to be contributing factors in the incident.
  