On 3/8/10 Operator was seen leaving the boat launch on the Atchafalaya River near Butte LaRose.  He was operating vessel, a 20 ft. crawfish skiff with a 150 hp tiller handle motor.  A few minutes later witnessess found debris thought to belong to operator floating approximately one half of a mile from the boat launch.  Because witnesses were unsure, authorities were not contacted until approximately 5:00 p.m.  At approximately 11:30 p.m. that same night operator's body was recovered in the same area where the debris was found.  Operator was not wearing a PFD or the kill lanyard for tiller handle motor.  The boat was recovered.

*Note the River at that time was experiencing a significant tidal change causing a strong current.
Butte LaRose                  