On July 7th at about 11:00 am LDWF Sr. Agent was notified of a boating accident in Vermilion Bay.  Agent made contact with the vessel LA5416FT at the Quintana Boat Launch. The driver had taken his vessel out this morning (32' Proline) and experienced total steering loss during the trip.  Operator decided to terminate the trip due to lack of steering and unfavorable weather conditions.  Operator felt that he could manuever the vessel well enough by utilizing the vessels' twin engines thrust for steering.  Upon heading back to port within three to six miles of turning around the vessel took an abrupt turn to the port side and then a very hard turn to the starboard side.  This manuever threw one of the passengers out of the vessel thus fracturing his pelvis.  The driver hit the gunwale and center console resulting in breaking his shoulder along with a few ribs and also puncturing his liver.  The third passenger suffered a fractured hand. The fourth passenger, only sustained a sore back.  The crew shut down the vessel and helped the man overboard back onto the vessel.  A nearby fishing vessel named the Wholesailor heard the crew's mayday call on the VHF and responded.  the Wholesailor drove the Proline back to the Quintana boat landing and called 911.  The crew was then transported to the Iberia Medical Center by Acadian Ambulance where they were treated for their injuires.  There were no signs of alcohol or drug use by the crew nor found on the vessel.  After inspection of the vessel no damage was found on the hull or the motors except for lack of total steering control.
Avery Island                  