On March 27, 2012 at approximately 12:40 p.m. operator was fishing in the Ramah Bar Pits located along the west side of the East Guide Levee in Ramah, Louisiana and fell overboard.  Cause of falling overboard is currently under investigation pending autopsy results but current evidence shows that Operator's pedestal fishing seat located on the bow of his 12' Alumaweld had broken and entered the water along with Operator.  After approximately 20 minutes of being out of contact with his fishing party, they discovered his vessel anchored approximately 40 feet from the west side bank; Operator was not aboard his vessel and shortly thereafter, his hat along with (4) fishing poles  and his seat were discovered floating nearby his vessel.  At approximately 1:15 p.m. Senior Agent arrived on scene and began assisting the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office in recovery.  Operator's body was recovered at approximately 1:40 p.m. I then assessed Operator's 12 foot AlumaWeld flat bottom and gathered evidence of the broken seat which was previously located at the bow of the vessel.  The vessel's contents are as follows: (1) pair of leather footwear slippers (5) fishing poles, (4) of which were recovered from the water, a Styrofoam ice chest with shiners, an empty 6-pack of bottled Budweiser, (1) empty Budweiser bottle located near the bow of the vessel, a Rubbermaid ice chest containing a bag of ice and (3) unopened bottles of Budweiser, (3) boat paddles and (1) Type III PFD in serviceable condition located at the stern of the vessel.  The PFD was not worn and the contribution of alcohol to the incident is currently pending autopsy results.  According to witnesses, Operator had the ability to swim and had no known health defects.
Ramah                         