RedactedNarrative: On April 8, 2017, while boating on Cross Lake in Caddo Parish, vessel LA-5037-EL, was adrift with seven occupants on board while a 13 year old child was swimming in the open waters of Cross Lake.  
  
  Another occupant of the vessel, a 3 year old child wearing a PFD, jumped into the water off of the stern of the vessel.  
  
  The 35 year old owner of the vessel, entered into the water to assist the three year old child.  The wind speed on the water was around 15 -20 mph, and the vessel drifted away from all three swimmers' locations.  Owner began struggling in the water, stating that he was experiencing muscle cramps.  
  
  Operator took control of the vessel and was able to get the engine started.  Operator drove the vessel to the swimmers' location when the engine died.  Operator then entered the water to assist them.  Operator was not wearing a PFD.  While the now four swimmers were in the water the vessel drifted away from their location again.  
  
  Another occupant of the vessel, 33 years old, was unable to start the engine on the vessel, and began to wave for help to another vessel passing through the area.  
  
  This vessel, LA-2892-GD, drove to the four swimmers in the water to assist.  Good samaritan entered the water and was able to retrieve the three year old swimmer while his wife, Good samaritan2, took control of his vessel.  Good samaritan then assisted the 13 year old into his vessel while Owner was able to board Good samaritan's vessel with assistance.  Good samaritan then boarded his own vessel and drove to Operator' location in the water.  
  
  Good samaritan stated that Operator was struggling to stay afloat while he attempted to rescue him.  Good samaritan witnessed Operator sink into the water, and this was the last known sighting of him.  Operator was said to be wearing a blue shirt and blue jean pants at the time.  The Shreveport Police Cross Lake Patrol was contacted and arrived on scene.  Cross Lake Patrol then contacted Sgt. with LDWF Enforcement.  At the time Sgt. was contacted, Lt. and Agent were present and made an immediate response to Cross Lake. 
  
   Shreveport Fire Department, Shreveport Police Department, Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement, and Bossier City Fire Department were all present and commenced recovery efforts.  Photographs were taken of the vessel involved, and information was obtained from all seven occupants of said vessel along with the two occupants of the assisting vessel.  Sgt. and I returned to Cross Lake on April 9, 2017 in an attempt to locate Operator.  
  
  Upon our arrival at the public boat launch Operator' father approached me and asked if there was any alcohol involved.  Operator' father also stated that Operator "had a drinking problem", and that his son was a good swimmer.  Owner, the adult male occupant of the vessel with Operator, stated that throughout the day he had about one half of a beer and that Operator had one half of a beer.  Owner also stated that Operator had been complaining of stomach pains throughout the day, and that this is the reason why he decided to shut the vessel off and drift/swim.  
  
  Throughout the next two days, multiple agencies made an effort to locate Operator on Cross Lake.  On April 12, 2107, Sgt. and I once again searched Cross Lake with multiple agencies in order to locate Operator.  At 11:10 a.m., Agt. received a  phone call that a boater had located a body in the water.  Upon our arrival to the body's location, N 32 51.850' / W 93 90.276', one white male was seen floating face down in the water wearing the same type and color clothes as described to us by Owner.  The victim was packaged in a remains bag and transported to the Cross Lake Patrol boat launch where the Deputy Coroner was waiting.  In the victim's back right pants pocket was a wallet containing a social security card with the name on it.  The Coroner's office assumed control of the victim at this time and transported him to their office.  This incident is still under investigation pending autopsy results and toxicology screens.  The Coroner's preliminary autopsy report indicates that the cause of death was drowning, with no evidence of trauma.  No damage was inflicted on the operator's vessel nor any other vessel or property, and no other injuries or fatalities occurred.  Witness statements were obtained from both occupants of the assisting vessel as well as from Owner.  
  
  It is my opinion that the primary cause of this accident was due to the operator not wearing a PFD while jumping into the water.  The vessel drifting away from the swimmers due to high winds was another contributing factor as well as the operator's inexperience with operating this particular vessel in an environment with high winds.
  