The owner of vessel #2 and five witnesses report that the operator of vessel #1 was navigating through the legally posted “NO WAKE” zone at the intersection of Blind River and the Amite River Diversion Canal and accelerated sharply from an idle to planing speed while he was only about half way through the “NO WAKE” zone. Vessel #2 was moored at the dock of a camp located at that intersection in Ascension Parish. The acceleration of vessel #1 created in a large wake that pushed vessel #2 forcibly into the dock where it was moored resulting in a 2’ crack in the hull of vessel #2, at the rub rail, near amid ship. Vessel #1 left the area.

A short while later, Livingston Parish Deputies located vessel #1 and requested that the owner return to the location of the incident. The owner/operator complied. Operator arrived at the location where he was met by LDWF Agents. Operator was advised of his legal rights and asked about the incident. Operator stated that he wished to seek advice from an attorney but then continued, without being prompted, and told deputies that he did not cause a wake or violate the wake zone and that he had three or four other boats traveling adjacent to him as he passed that particular camp. As per instructions from his chain of command, deputy issued Operator a citation for Careless operation of a vessel. PFD’s were not in use.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the incident. No injuries or deaths were reported relating to this incident.

FRENCH SETTLEMENT             