RedactedNarrative: On 9/30/14 at approximately 1:45pm a boating accident occurred on badin lake.22 miles from old whitney boating access area in new london, nc the vessel involved in the incident was a 16 foot skeeter bass boat with a mercury 150 horsepower outboard motor. The vessel had a starboard side console and was owned and operated by the same person. His friend was sitting in the passenger seat on the port side of the vessel at the time of the incident. The transom of the 16 foot skeeter was deteriorated and gave way causing the motor to fall off into the water. This occurred while the vessel was underway, the faulty transom and the propulsion from the motor falling into the water caused the vessel to capsize. 
  
  According to the operator, operator and occupant launched the vessel on the lake at alcoa boating access area. They traveled northwest bound en route to go fishing near the tuckertown dam. They were traveling approximately 50-55 mph and were just out in front of old whitney access area when occupant felt a slight bump. According to occupant, when he felt the slight bump, he looked towards the back of the boat and realized that the motor was no longer there. Before he could say or do anything, the vessel suddenly flipped over and began to sink. Both passengers were wearing a type iii coast guard approved life preserver at the time of the incident. The passengers were initially trapped underneath the vessel when it flipped over. They were able to climb out from under the vessel and hang on to the bow of the vessel that had not yet sank. According to both men, they were in the water for approximately 20 minutes until help arrived. Another boat came by and saw them in the water and offered assistance. The air temperature was 89 degrees and the water temperature was approximately 77 degrees. There was no wind and the water was calm on the lake at the time of the incident. There were no visibility restrictions. The sky was sunny and clear. Ncwrc as well s stanly county rescue squad responded to the incident. 
  
  The concluding analysis of the incident was that the transom was faulty which caused the 150 horsepower outboard motor to detach rom the stern of the vessel and fall into the water. The motor continued to function and the propulsion of the prop underneath the vessel caused the vessel to capsize and to sink. Ncwrc assisted in towing the vessel back to alcoa boating access area and assisted with getting the vessel back on to operator's trailer. The 150 horsepower outboard engine had remained attached to the vessel by various wires and hoses. Ncwrc assisted in securing the motor inside the vessel. This appeared to be equipment malfunction and was out of control of the operator. No violations were found throughout the investigation and alcohol and drugs were not a factor in the incident.