RedactedNarrative: Operator #1 Statement:   "I was driving south down the Delaware River in Trenton New Jersey following the channel markers that were marked. There weren’t any markers for about 250-300 yards so I did my best to stay in the middle of the river which the channel actually ends up going closer to shore but it was not marked. I ended up hitting a rock pile which was not marked and chewed up the prop and skeg on my boat. The prop shaft is also bent and the screw got knocked loose that holds the lower unit oil and water got in the lower unit. There is also now a fuel leak coming from the motor which wasn't existing because I just got it serviced at N and B Marine Supply. I am also hoping the transom didn't get messed up as well. I believe this would have never happened if the channel was marked correctly."
  
  
  Investigation Revealed:  Operator #1 was traveling SB on the Delaware River in the area of Hamilton Township, Mercer County.  Operator #1 was initially in the channel while going past buoy #96.  Once past the buoy, Operator #1 remained in the center of the river while navigating towards the next visible buoy.  At this particular section of the river between buoy #96 and#94, the channel stays to the west side of the river only.  As a result, Operator #1 veered approximately 15 feet out of the channel.  While doing so Vessel #1 entered shallow water approximately 1.5 feet deep and struck a submerged rock pile with the lower unit of the engine.  It should be noted that low tide was at 11:05am. Vessel #1 sustained damage to the propeller and skeg.  Operator #1 removed the vessel from the water and reported the incident after the fact.  Operator #1 reported no complaints of pain or injury for himself or the passenger.
  