On April 1, 2012 at approximately 11:30 am. Operator was travelling in an eastwardly direction with two passengers onboard.  A personal flotation device was beginning to fly out of the boat and operator attempted to catch it; as Operator reached for the PFD, he lost control of the vessel causing it to make an abrupt turn inevitably causing the three onboard to be thrown out and into the water.  Neither alcohol nor drugs are contributing factors to the accident.  Personal Flotation Devices were present but not used.  Steering for the vessel is a remote wheel located on the center console.  Investigation of the vessel showed excessive play in the guide rod steering linkage.  Motor would turn vessel to the port side by hand with ease and would freely turn starboard with it's own weight.  The incident type after conclusive investigation is "Falls Overboard".  THe boat then became grounded.
Plaquemine                    