RedactedNarrative: Operator was in operation of his vessel on 05/06/16 from 1600 to 2200.  Operation was in Drakes Creek on Old Hickory Reservoir.  At approximately 2100 Operator was travelling south in Drakes Creek toward Drakes Creek Marina when he felt he had hit an object.  He stated he was roughly halfway between Creekwood Marina and Drakes Creek Marina in the creek channel at the time.  He described the incident as a slight bump on the bottom of the vessel.  Operator continued to Drakes Creek Marina where he docked the boat.  He came back to the marina at 0630 on 05/07/16.  T
  
  he boat had swamped overnight.  Bill Meriwether, a worker at Drakes Creek Marina, had discovered the boat and had secured boons around it prior to Operator arriving.  After the boat had been pumped and loaded on a trailer I observed damage to the lower unit.  A piece had been broken off.  From the looks of the metal this was fresh and I believe this is where the boat hit the submerged object.  I could not find any other damage.  I
  
   talked to a technician at Drakes Creek Marina and he stated that this is where the water most likely entered from.  That the unit being hit must have broken a seal allowing water to enter the hull.  When the boat was left overnight at the marina it slowly filled with water until discovered in the morning.  Upon inspection I found the vessel was not currently registered to Operator.  A warning was issued to him for registration violation.
  