On 12/21/12, Operator1, along with his passenger was towing V2 through the Bayou Placid Water control structure.  Operator1 was using approximately 30 to 40 feet of rope to tow V2's vessel, when the strong current pushed V2's vessel into one of the protective pilings.  This caused severe damage to V2's vessel.  As a result of V2's vessel striking the piling, it caused Operator1's vessel to come to a sudden stop and hit the protective  pilings in front of the water control structure. At approximately 6:35 p.m. Agents arrived at the scene and interviewed the three men.  Agents did not detect or observe any signs of alcohol or drug use. Both vessels were equipped with PFD's but were not used.  both vessels were also equipped with remote steering. Agent then gave Operator1 and V2 operator boating incident report forms, and advised them to seek medical attention. All three subjects claimed to have hurt  their backs, but refused medical treatment at the dock, with V2 stating that he was going to drive himself to the hospital.  

On 12/22/12 Agents went to Operator1's residence to retrieve the operator's boating incident report.  Operator1 advised Agents that he did go to the emergency room last night, and that nothing was broken but that he was bruised and sore.  Agents then inspected Operator1's vessel which had no damage, only transfer marks from the piling on two spots on the port side of the vessel.  Agents then went to camp, who is the owner of Vessel LA1342FF, and interviewed him.  Owner2 stated that he did give operator2 permission to take his vessel.  Agent then photographed the damage to Owner2's vessel, which had severe  fiberglass damage to the port bow, along with transfer marks from the piling. Agents then went to Golden Meadows and retrieved the operator's boating incident report from Operator2.  V2 advised agents that he went to the hospital  the night before and that nothing was broken. After interviewing all three men and reading the statements, Agent concluded that this accident could have been avoided by shortening up the tow rope to just a few feet until both vessels had passed through the water control structure and exited the swift current  that it had generated.

Chauvin                       