RedactedNarrative: On Friday September 30th, operator was operating an 18 foot flats skiff. He was headed south towards the Gulf of Mexico near the newly created beach in Bastian Bay. At approximately 7:55 AM, he struck an unknown submerged object at GPS coordinates N29 17. 653, and W089 39.472.
  
   The collision did major damage to the 150 Mercury outboard including loss of the lower unit, prop, and a cracked midsection. There was also fiberglass damage done to the transom of the vessel. After the collision occurred, operator returned to the accident site and could see a dredge pipe on the bottom approximately 2 feet below the surface of the water. He was then towed back to Empire by Seatow. When he got to Empire, he contacted the Great Lakes Dredge company about the dredge pipe and the accident. Alcohol and drugs were not a factor in this accident and operator had the required PFD's on the vessel.