Agents then met with Operator who was identified as the owner and operator of the vessel, LA8472EY. Operator advised agents that at approximately 9:30 PM, he was driving his mud boat at a fast idle in the Shell pipeline with Occupant sitting on the front bow, actively frogging.  Operator stated that he was in shallow water when the vessel struck a submerged object causing him to fall from his seat onto the floor of the vessel, and causing Occupant to be ejected over the bow of the mud boat into the water.  The vessel continued its forward momentum and ran over Occupant, resulting in several lacerations on her leg from the propeller.   victim also suffered a collapsed lung.  Operator quickly retrieved Occupant from the water and transported her to the hospital. Agent then asked operator if he had consumed any alcohol that day.  Operator stated yes earlier in the day.  Agent then conducted S.F.S.Tto see if Operator was impaired. Operator showed no signs of impairment.  Agents asked Operator to submit to a breath test, which he complied.  The intoxilyzer 5000 showed that Operator  had a BAC of .005%.  This result confirmed that alcohol was not a factor in the incident.  Occupant was taken to Oshner's hospital in New Orleans a few hours later.  Operator went with her and did not return to Houma until 8/8/13.  On 8/8/13, at approximately 1:30 PM, Agent met up with Operator and proceeded to the area of the accident.   Operator showed Agent where he thought the accident had occurred.  Agent was not able to locate what the vessel had struck, but did observe numerous pipes in the near area.  Agent photographed the location.  Agent then located Operator' vessel, 17" mud boat, and inspected it for damages.  The vessel had a puncture , bow-starboard side, in the fiberglass along with several deep gouges leading to a second deep spot where the fiberglass was missing but not penetrating through the hull. Agent photographed  the damage to the vessel.  The vessel was equipped with 1 type IIPFD and 1 typeIII PD, but were not used.  The vessel has a tiller type steering which is common on most mud boats.  No Citations were issued.
Gibson