ACCORDING TO THE WITNESSES, WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH IN A PIPELINE CANAL SOUTH OF THE BLUE POINT CANAL, VESSEL LA 3217 EF STRUCK A SUBMERGED OBJECT CAUSING THE VESSEL TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE VESSEL MADE IMPACT WITH TREE ON THE STARBOARD SIDE AND AT THE REAR OF THE VESSEL.  THE VESSEL LANDED BOW FIRST APPROX. 40 FEET AWAY FROM THE POINT OF IMPACT. THE TWO MALE PASSENGERS ABORD THE VESSEL WERE NOT WEARING PFD'S AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THOUGH THE YOUNG FEMALE ABOARD DID HAVE A PFD ON AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.  THE OPERATOR WAS THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD OF THE VESSEL CAUSING A SEVERE LACERATION TO THIS HEAD.  THE OPERATOR WAS AIR LIFTED BY US COAST GUARD AND TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL.  THE PASSENGERS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE LANDING AND THE VESSEL REMAINED AT THE LOCATION.  THE STEERING ROD WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN ON THE OUTBOARD MOTOR OF THE VESSEL AT THE TIME OF INVESTIGATION.
LAFITTE                       