On 7/14/2010 at about 5:25 pm, operator left from the Dulac Store boat launch to go fishing in Lake Boudreaux. He was following his cousinwho was in another vessel. According to family members, operator drives his vessel while sitting on top of the center steering console, in fornt of the steering wheel. As he headed towards Lake Boudreaux, he approached a hard right turn. As he turned to the right, the steering failed and his vessel made an abrupt right turn. Both operator and the steering console were ejected over the port side. The vessel ran up into the marsh and was partially covered with grass. operator was reported missing later that night by his girlfriend at about 10:58 pm. Terrebonne S/O and the USCG searched through the night for him. His vessel was located at 6:45 am on 7/15/2010 and he was recovered from the water by Terrebonne S/O at 5:21 pm that same day. operator was not wearing a PFD, nor was he wearing his killswitch lanyard. The use of drugs or alcohol will be determined by Terrebonne Parish Coroner's Office, pending autopsy report. The steering cable was mounted to the engine improperly and the piece of the steering console that was recovered from the water indicated that the console was rotten. This evidence, as well as the position that operator sits as he drives hi vessel are contributing factors in the cause of the incident.
Dulac                         