According to operators, occupants and witnesses, on march 20, 2010, at approx. 6:09pm, operator2 and passenger were in an unregistered, non-motorized 14 foot alumaweld vessel in the amite river in livingston parish. The vessel was located near the center of the river while the occupants tended a trotline. A motorized 19.9 foot wellcraft vessel approached from downstream, came around a large sweeping curve while traveling upstream and struck the smaller vessel, severing it into two pieces. The vessel was reportedly operated by Operator1. Operator1 had two passengers onboard. The estimated speed of the wellcraft at the time of the collision was reported as being approximately 30-35 m.p.h. both occupants of the smaller vessel jumped out of their vessel just prior to impact and avoided injury. Operator1 admitted his vision was obscured by both the light rain and a dirty windshield. He also freely admitted that he was distracted and failed to maintain a proper lookout as required by navigation rules. As a result of the investigation, Operator1 was issued a citation for reckless operation of a watercraft. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in this incident. The occupants of the smaller vessel properly used pfd's. Pfd's were on board but not used by the occupants and operator of the larger vessel.
FRENCH SETTLEMENT             