Operator 1 was traveling northwest in Bayou Butler from Lake Boudreaux when his vessel struck a submerged object in the water. Operator 1 was knocked forward in the vessel and hit one of the ribs on the floor of the vessel. Passenger 1, who was riding with her husband, remained in her seat when the vessel hit the submerged object. When Operator 1 got knocked forward, the vessel turned to side and went into the marsh. Both Operator 1 and Passenger 1 were wearing personal flotation devices while the vessel was in motion. Operator 1's back was bothering him after the accident, and he was going to see the doctor on Monday, October 5, 2009.  Agents went out to  the  scene to locate the submerged object and found two sets of pilings  going across Bayou Butler in a Northeast-Southwest direction. One piling  was sticking above the surface of the water in the center of the bayou, and the rest of the pilings were under the surface of the water. The vessel sustained minor damage.  A chunk was taken out of the top of the skag on the lower unit, and a weld was broken on the transom of the boat.
Dulac                         