Operator was traveling north in Bayou Des Allemands in Lafourche Parish.  He was running on step when his engine started backfiring.  As he came down off of plane smoke was coming from the engine of the vessel, LA1041FY.  By the time the boat was coming to a stop the vessel was on fire.  Operator stated the flames were almost as high as his head so he moved to the front of the vessel away from the flames and began to paddle the boat toward the nearby shoreline.  He exited the boat and moved to shelter on the west shoreline of Bayou des Allemands.  St. Charles parish  Sheriff's Office water patrol was the first on scene.  They picked up Operator, and towed his vessel back to the public boat launch under Hwy 90.  LDWF Agents met with Operator at the launch to interview him and fill out incident reports.  Alcohol was not involved in the accident.  Operator was wearing a type II PFD.   Operator was not wearing the motor kill switch.  Contributing factors to the fire are believed to be possible mechanical issues with the engine resulting in the fire.  there were no injuries in the accident.  The vessel did sustain severe damage from the fire.
Des Allemands                 