RedactedNarrative: The 2 occupants of a 16' Carolina Skiff had just launched the vessel from the Great Bridge Locks Park boat ramp, and was heading northbound on the river. The vessel is driven by a tiller steer Yamaha 40hp 4-stroke outboard engine. Both occupants stated that they were in the marked channel of the Elizabeth River and struck an unknown underwater object. 
  
  The strike caused the boat to turn to port, throwing both occupants from the vessel over the starboard side. The vessel circled around 5-6 times, striking the operator. The operator was struck by the port side of the vessel, and it then turned toward the north shoreline, hitting and jumping over the rocks and stopping approximately 25 feet into the marsh grass. Both occupants were able to swim to shore and call 911. Initially, the operator refused medical attention, but was later transported by medics to Chesapeake Regional Hospital for water ingestion and head trauma. Officer took photos from land and also launched an sUAS and obtained aerial photos of the scene. No obvious underwater obstructions were seen in the aerial photos. Officers interviewed the operator at the hospital. He stated that he was not wearing the kill switch lanyard, and neither occupant was wearing a PFD. He stated that he didn't know what happened, but the tiller steer yanked out of his hand real hard, they were both thrown from the vessel, and he does not remember much after that.