On December 21,2013 operator and subject went duck hunting on Manchac WMA. the subjects decided to hunt the back side of the prairie by accessing through Lake Pontchartrain. The vessel, (A 1569 FT) 18.6 ft. Gator Trax with a 35 hp Mud Buddy motor, was tied off to the rocks and then anchored from the stern. According to multiple weather resources the winds were projected and did in fact reach 20 mph out of the south west. At approximately 7:30 AM the strong winds produced 4 to 6 foot waves which caused the vessel to take water over the transom and then pushed the boat into the rock jetty.The vessel suffered severe damage on both the port and starboard side leaving gashes and dents throughout the hull. The subjects tried to empty the water but were unable to and then were forced to sleep overnight until another hunter picked them up the next morning and brought them to their vehicle. Subject was able to recover his vessel a few days later and it is now located at his residence. 
The vessel did have PFD's and all acquired safety equipment. The contributing factors to the incident were; operator inexperience, improper anchoring from the stern and weather.
MANCHAC