RedactedNarrative: On Saturday, July 23, 2022, a single vessel incident occurred on the Tchefuncte River at approximately 2:45PM. V1 was occupied by seven passengers and cruising north from Brady Island to the 4th street boat launch. 
  
  The engine was backfiring and smoking while cruising and the operator lifted open the vessel's engine cover after traveling approximately 5 miles north. He noticed that his bilge was not working properly and left the engine cover up and open while plowing forward.
  
   The vessel once again backfired, and a beach bag full of flammable items, originally stored next to the closed engine cover., was exposed to the portside exhaust manifold. The beach bag combusted, causing a quick burning open fire.
  
  The boat operator turned the engine off and the vessel drifted into the shoreline bushes. A fire extinguisher was used to put the flames out, and PFD's were used. Everyone jumped out of boat and into the water. The burning beach bag was also thrown into the waterway. One passenger sitting near the beach bag received 2nd degree burns to his legs and was transferred to the hospital for medical care. He was treated released at 7:00pm the same day. Some engine components burned up, however the main engine area and the boat hull did not appear to have significant damage. The operator's attention was diverted and he became distracted by the sign of water in the bilge area. He failed to notice the beach bag next to the exhaust manifold and the contributing factor is operator inattention. Alcohol is not considered a factor and no charges were filed at the conclusion of the investigation.
  