RedactedNarrative: While vessel A was underway on the Penobscot River it struck a submerged object, causing the motor to stall. After raising the motor and checking for any extensive damage the motor was lowered back into the water.  Upon lowering the motor back into the water, operator A then attempted to restart the motor.  When the motor would not start, operator A choked the engine, and again it would not start.  Thinking that the engine was now flooded, operator A waited a few minutes and then attempted to start it for a third time. On this third attempt, operator A heard a pop and then looked at the motor which was now on fire.  
   
  Operator A immediately attempted to put the fire out with a
  dry chemical fire extinguisher and was unsuccessful.  Operator A and her two crew members then abandoned vessel A into a skiff they had been towing.