RedactedNarrative: On December 16, 2017 LDWF Agents Corporal and Senior Agent while on patrol near Cut Off Canal observed a vessel traveling South at a moderate rate of speed through a no wake zone.  Agents attempted to contact the vessel and observed the vessel  travel into the Point Aux Chenes Marina boat ramp.  
  
  As the Agents were approaching they noticed a fire rescue unit with its lights on approach the boat ramp.  The agents docked their vessel and found that the vessel they had observed had a person onboard who needed medical attention.  The subject was clearly suffering from potential hypothermia.  The agents then assisted fire and rescue in treating Operator until Acadian ambulance arrived on scene.
  
   Once Acadian Medical arrived, they treated Operator to where he was stable and then transported him VIA AIRMED to University Hospital in New Orleans for further treatment and evaluation.  Agents were able to make contact with the subject later that afternoon to determine how he ended up in the water.  
  
  Operator stated that he left the Point Aux Chenes impoundment launch at approximately 4:30AM VIA Pirogue to traverse to his hunting location.  Once at the location he was going to hunt, the subject stated that he placed his paddle in the mud.  He then tied a rope to the paddle and the other end to his leg.   The subject said at some point he came untied and noticed he was drifting away from his paddle.  The subject attempted to use his shotgun as a paddle and in the process took on water causing him to sink.  
  
  He stated that he then walked in the water to the bank where he attempted to get out of the water.  He was unable to get out of the water and remained where he was until two subjects passing by heard him calling for help.  The subjects removed the subject from the water and placed them in their vessel. The subjects then brought the subject to the PAC Marina where he was treated by medical personal. 
  
  Through the investigation it was found that Operator did use a PFD and had them onboard before sinking his pirogue. It was found that the subject took on water after losing his paddle and attempting to reach for it.  After taking on water in the pirogue it caused it to sink completely below the water surface. It is not believed drugs or alcohol were a factor in the incident.
  