On July 16, 2011, operator, owner and one person launched a new 15' Express, aluminum boat powered by a 25 HP outboard motor at the St. Maurice boat launch into Saline Bayou.  They headed north on Saline Bayou without any of the occupants wearing their PFDs or the operator attaching his lanyard cutoff switch on the outboard motor, as required by state law when operating a Class A vessel with a tiller steering outboard.  Owner was sitting on the bow of the boat, attempting to untangle lines from several fishing yo-yo's.  Occupant1 was sitting on the middle seat of the vessel texting her father on her cell phone.  Operator was operating the boat with restricted vision, due to Owner sitting on the bow of the vessel.
    At approximately 7 P.M., the vessel's bow struck two stumps just west of the middle of the bayou.  Owner was ejected from the vessel into the water.  Occupant1 was thrown forward, cutting her head, just above her left eye, on the side of the boat.  Operator was also thrown forward hitting his head resulting in several minor cuts.  The boat continued forward, until Owner yelled for Operator to kill the motor.  Owner got back into the boat and they returned to the landing, approximately 2.59 miles.  Owner contacted the Winn Parish Sheriff's Dept. at approximately 7:40 P.M. and reported the accident, then drove himself and Occupant1 to the Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield.
     I interviewed the three occupants of the vessel, upon my arrival to the Winn Medical Center.  Upon speaking with the operator I did not detect any odor of alcoholic beverages nor did I observe was bottled water.  Each occupants account of what happened leading up to the accident was basically the same.  Owner was facing south at the time of impact and Occupant1 was looking at her cell phone at the time of impact.
     The new boat contained three type III PFDs and two Type IV PFDs.  The 25 HP Evinrude was equippd with a Kill Switch.  Neither Operator of Owner had any formal boating education as required by law for their age.
     Owner boat was taken to the Louisiana Wildlife Facility in Woodworth, La. for further investigation.

ST. MAURICE                   