ON MARCH 18, 2011, AT APPROX 12:30 HRS, A 20' SUPRA SKI BOAT LA1505FW (EQUIPPED WITH REMOTE STEERING) WAS TRAVELLING NORTHBOUND ON THW TCHEFUNCTE RIVER WITH THREE PERSONS ON BOARD, IN THE VICINITY OF THE OLD THREE RIVERS LANDING, PULLING A SKIER ON A WAKE BOARD, TRAVELLING AT APPROX. 18-20 MPH, WHEN THE OPERATOR LOOKED BEHIND HIS VESSEL AS THE SUBJECT ON THE WAKEBOARD FELL INTO THE WATER & BECAME DISTRACTED, ALLOWING HIS VESSEL TO DRIFT TOO FAR TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE RIVER (RIGHT ASCENDING BANK). THE OPERATOR OF THE VESSEL FOUND HIS VESSEL ON A COLLISION COURSE WITH A 100' HOUSEBOAT BARGE WHICH WAS MOORED TO A DOCK ON THE RIGHTHAND SIDE OF THE RIVER. THE OPERATOR THEN PUT HIS VESSEL IN A HARD TURN TO PORT & COLLIDED WITH THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE HOUSEBOAT AT AN ANGLE (GLANCING BOW) CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE STBD. BOW OF HIS VESSEL. THE PASSENGER SITTING ON THE FRONT SEAT WAS THROWN FORWARD & RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES (LOOSE TOOTH AND CONTUSIONS TO THE FOREHEAD). THERE WAS ONLY MINOR DAMAGE TO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE HOUSEBOAT. THIS INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY THE 17 YEAR OLD OPERATOR BEING DISTRACTED. THE PROPER PFD'S WERE PRESENT ON THE VESSEL & ALCOHOL WAS NOT A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE INCIDENT.
COVINGTON                     