On 09/26/10 at approximately 6:30 p.m. the operator was manuervering vessel 1(LA 2940BL) in Lake Pontchartrain immediately north of the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish.  The operator was maneuvering at planing speed as he approached the train tressel bridge on a south by southeast heading.  The operator alleges that he reduced speed to idle speed to cross under the bridge and after crossing under the bridge he began to increase speed when the bow portion of the vessel violently forced up vertically out of the water, at which time the operator was struck on the forehead and from that point on only remembers the vessel submerging completely stern first and the operator clung to a cooler and floated to shore.  vessel 1 is still completely submerged in more than 13 ft of water and has yet to be recovered.  the operator claims that this vessel did contain all required safety equipment including PFD's but he was not wearing one at the time of the incident.  the operators family did not notify the authorities until approximately 9 a.m. the following day.  Note:  Due to cold front moving through the area at the time fo the incident water depths were reduced considerably.  In the opinion of the investigator the main contributing factors of the incident were 1 -excessive speed, 2- hazardous waters, and 3- weather.
ST ROSE                       