RedactedNarrative: At approximately 1:30PM a vessel identified as LA4482EM.  While attempting to get on plane in a shallow canal off of Bayou Des Allemands, Operator advised that "it felt like we hit something and when we turned around to look, the engine was gone and the boat was sinking." No drugs or alcohol were believed to be involved in the accident and SFST or chemical tests were given.  Neither subject was wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident nor was a safety lanyard used.  The engine was a 115 Mercury and the steering was remote Teleflex on a 1994 17' Procraft.  
  
  Although the belief  by the operator was that the vessel struck a submerged object, examination of the hull damage offered a different explanation.  As will be noted in the accompanying pictures, the engine was tilted up at the time of the accident.  This is noteworthy because the break in the transom is consistent with force pushing in at the hull and out at the top of the transom.  This would be directly opposite had the vessel struck an object and had the engine pulled back by the force of the impact.  
  
  Furthermore, examination of the broken transom displayed extensive rot and water damage.  It is concluded that the force of the engine under power in a tilted position applied enough force to the weakened transom to simply cause it to fail.  The resulting impact of the engine into the boat was the perceived submerged object.  As a result of the transom failing the vessel sank.  The two occupants were rescued by St. Charles Water patrol without incident.