On 3/6/12 at 7:48 P.M., Wildlife Enforcement Agents were notified by Departmental Dispatch about a boat accident that had occurred in St. Mary Parish.  Dispatch advised that a white male was transported to Iberia Medical Center located in Iberia Parish.  Senior Agent responded to Iberia Medical Center where he made contact with Occupant.  Occupant advised that  he was in a boat accident in the Bayou Teche and Operator was the operator of the vessel.  Occupant stated that they were in an aluminum vessel and struck a concrete piling that supports the bridge crossing the Bayou Teche in Charenton.  Agents located Operator and spoke with him about the accident. Agents determined that due to Operator's inexperience of operating a vessel, speed of travel, and swift water eddy currrents behind each piling on the bridge caused him to lose control of the vessel while navigating a turn.  Once Operator lost control, the vessel struck a concrete piling that supports the concrete bridge.  After speaking with both Operator and Occupant, agents learned that both subjects were wearing PFD's and were able to rule out possibility of alcohol as a contributing factor in the crash.
Charenton                     