There were four (4) more passengers onboard the 22' pontoon boat.  The vessel was driven by steering wheel, and contained approximately fourteen (14) type three (3) PFD's, and one (1) type four (4) PFD.  As Operator was idling out of the no wake zone at Indian Bayou, Occupant1 and his girlfriend were concluding an argument in one of the forward seats in the vessel.  The two (2) other passengers were lying out on the back of the vessel.  Girlfriend stated that she told Occupant1 that she needed to use the restroom.  Occupant1 told her to just jump in the water, because they were just idling.  Girlfriend stated that she did not want to while the vessel was moving.  Occupant1 then got up from the seat, and dove directly over the bow of the vessel, between the pontoons.  Operator stated that all he saw was Occupant1' feet going over the front of the vessel.  Operator stated that he looked down to kill the vessel, but could not kill it in time, and he heard the vessel strike Occupant1.  Operator stated that he was unfamiliar with this type of vessel, and had only been sitting at the helm for a minute or two.  Girlfriend stated that occupant2 was operating the vessel, but the other passengers stated that occupant2 had been operating the vessel all day, but had just asked Operator to drive.  After the vessel struck Occupant1, he came up behind the vessel and stated to call an ambulance.  Girlfriend jumped into the water, and they were able to get Occupant1 onto the rear of the vessel.  They then called 911, and pulled to a dock.  Occupant1 sustained major lacerations to his lower body from the prop.  He was transported to the hospital, and passed away later that  night.  Operator was given an HGN on the dock, and showed no signs of nystagmus.  Operator was transported to the Region V office, and given a test onthe intoxilzyer 5000.  The results were 0.000g%.
MOSS BLUFF                    