On 5-1-2010 at approximately 1420 two subjects and two large breed dogs were on a 15ft canoe, without any life jackets, in the Mississippi river, near the Carrollton Avenue area, in Orleans Parish. The weather conditions were severe, winds out of the south at 30 mph and a very strong current in the river which created 4ft waves.  The subjects were witnessed by a tug boat Cpt. and his mate having trouble with the current and heading toward a group of rake barges known as the Carrollton Fleet.  As the Cpt. and his mate headed down river they lost sight of the subjects and knew something bad had happened.  They immediately called for help from other tug boats on the river and also notified the Coast Guard and N.O. Harbor Police.  After searching the area a tug boat was able to recover the canoe and a waterproof bag containing one of the missing subject's phones, some dog food, and a twelve pack of Heineken beer.  Search and Rescue crews were unable to locate the two subjects at the time of the incident.  Both were recovered in the river days after the incident.
NEW ORLEANS                   