operator and two (2) passengers were traveling on step North up the Vermillion River in a 19' homemade vessel with a 60 HP motor equipped with tiller steering.  operator and one (1) of his passengers were riding on the gunwales of the vessel while the other passenger was sitting in a folding chair in the middle of the vessel towards the bow.  operator had never driven a tiller steering vessel before.  The motor on vessel struck a submerged unknown object causing him and both passengers to fall overboard.  Operator was wearing his engine cutoff switch lanyard.  Neither operator nor any of his passengers were wearing PFD's.   operator swallowed some water and was having trouble breathing and was transported to Abbeville General Hospital where he was treated and release.   There were no damage to the vessel.    No alcohol was involved with this accident.
Intracoastal City             