On October 30, 2010 at approximately 3:50 p.m. operators 1 and 2 were operating their boats on the Delcambre Canal.  The two men were traveling North on the canal, following one another.  Operator2 decided to stop and talk to Operator1.  As Operator2 stopped, Operator1 was entering a waypoint into his GPS.  Operator1 was not keeping a proper lookout.  Operator1 did not realize Operator2 was stopping.  As a result Operator1 collided with Operator2 hitting Operator2's vessel in the stern.  Operator1's vessel subsequently climbed on top of Operator2's vessel on the starboard, stern causing significant damage to Operator2's vessel.  I met with both men at Patout Landing.  Both men stated they did not have injuries, just stiff backs.  They did not need EMS treatment.  After documenting the damage to the vessels involved in the collission I found that Operator1 was not operating his vessel in accordance with the navigational rules of the road in which the state requires all boat operators to abide by.  Operator1 did violate two rules: Rule 20 and Rule 16.  Rule 20 states the operator of a vessel must maintain a proper lookout as he operates his vessel.  Rule 16 states the operator of a vessel shall operate his vessel at reasonable speeds for the given conditions and situations and must be under the complete control of the operator at all times.  At that time I explained to Operator1 that he was in violation of these two rules and that I was issuing him a citation for R.S. 34:851.5. Reckless operation of a watercraft.
Delcambre                     