RedactedNarrative: Vessel was cruising along the shoreline of a lake when the operator thought he struck an unknown object beneath the water's surface. The motor subsequently separated from the transom and fell into the water; still attached by the steering cable, anchoring the vessel. No injuries reported to any of the three POB's. Vessel later towed away by Tow Boat US. 
  
  It was later determined that the vessel did not strike anything and the motor fell off due to all four nuts being removed. The actual cause as to why the motor was not secured on the transom, while the vessel was underway at the time of the incident, remains unknown.