On July 3, 2011 at approximately 5 p.m operator was driving his vessel (TX7875-JZ) south in North Pelba (an area he had never driven a vessel in before.)  At this time the vessel struck a submerged piling.  The piling put two 4 inch holes in the bottom of the vessel, bent the propeller shaft, bent the propeller, bent the rudder, and damaged the packing on the propeller shaft.  No one onboard the vessel was injuried.  The vessel had all the required safety equipment including PFD's (PFD's were not worn.)  There are several pilings in the area that are normally out of the water and visible.  Because of the flooding of the Atchafalaya Basin, the water levels are much higher than normal.  The fact that operator had no experience operating a vessel in this area and the high water levels are the contributing factors to the boating accident.
Henderson                     