On July 4th 2013, at approximately 5:18 p.m. LDWF enforcement agents were notified of a boating incident that had supposedly occurred at around 3:45 p.m.  The incident supposedly occurred when the  wave of L/B "Carp" went over the bow of a 19' homemade skiff. This caused the vessel to sink in the river channel . Operator1 advised that the wave  was about 7" high   that  came over his bow.  He also advised  that he was travelling south and the L/B was travelling north. In both agents experience a Jack up barge (L/B) cannot make a wake this large. Agents spoke with the operator and passengers of the jack up barge and obtained statements. They advised that they had just left Martin fuel dock in Berwick and were south bound. They said they were spudding out because they were being put on standby waiting for another job.  They also advised that they were stationary for about an hour and a recreational vessel came by ad advised that they sunk a recreational vessel.  The captain of L/B Carp was very cooperative with agents and got underway to show how fast the vessel travelled and the wake that it caused.  Sgt. videoed this event.  this vessel never caused a wake over 1 foot in height.  Agent was in the wheel house to insure that the vessel was travelling at its maximum potential which was 6 kts with the current and 8 kts against the current.  Agents also went to Berwick traffic and watched video footage of the L/B Carp leaving Berwick travelling to its location south of channel marker 44 on the Atchafalaya River East bank.  Never was the vessel travelling north and agents never saw a 19' skiff anywhere in the footage, however there was a time when the video was zoomed  in on the L/B Carp.  At this time though the vessel was spudding out and was not underway. Operator1 may be filing false statements about the incident. No citations have been issued at this time and this matter is still under investigation. Operator1's vessel was never seen nor recovered.  No drugs or alcohol are suspected.  Operator1's passenger, 15 yr old, advised that he was wearing a life jacket.
Berwick