RedactedNarrative: On 6/11/16 at approximately 1:30 p.m., operator1 was heading eastward in Flotation Canal when his vessel struck a submerged dredge pipe at a high rate of speed.  The dredge pipe was not properly marked and covered approximately 3/4 of the canal.  
  
  Operator1's vessel, LA1033FH, a 32 foot contender with three 350hp Yamaha Motors, received damage to all motors, and fiberglass damage to the transom. Operator1, and his four passengers did not sustain any injuries.  There were no signs of any alcohol, and or drug use. The vessel was equipped with the proper PFD's (not used) and kill switch, which was used.  The vessel was equipped with a remote steering. 
  
   On 6/11/16, at approximately 2:30 p.m. Agents were contacted by Lt. in reference to a boat accident located in Port Fourchon.  Agents responded to the boat accident and arrived at Operator1's camp at approximately 3:10 p.m.  agents interviewed Operator1, owner and operator, and his four passengers, see attached operator and voluntary statement forms. Operator1 advised Agents that he was heading to Point Fourchon in the canal bringing in a sick passenger, when he hit the dredge pipe. 
  
  Operator1 stated that he did not see the dredge pipe or any one close to the pipe when he hit it.  Agents also received pictures from the passengers of the accident scene. Agent then documented and photographed the damage to Operator1's vessel, see attached photo log.  The vessel received severe damage to all 3 lower units, and the transom received stress fractures to the fiberglass.  
  
  At approximately 4:35 p.m., Agents contacted the foreman and operator of the dredge, at the accident scene located in Flotation Canal. Foreman gave an operator statement to agents, and Subject2 gave a written statement, and pictures of the accidents to Agents.  Foreman advised Agent that the had sent out a message over the VHF radio advising that the Canal would be closed while the dredge was being moved.  Foreman also advised Agent that his vessel did have the proper day markers on board. 
  
  Agent observed the day marker, and water shooting out of the section of pipe where the vessel struck it. Agent measured the Flotation Canal at approximately 730 ft wide. The dredge pipe covered approximately 3/4 of the width of the canal.  the dredge pipe was 500 ft. long and ran East to West from the dredge boat to a metal piling (dolphin), located on the North side of the Flotation Canal. 
  
  On 6/16/16, Agent brought all information and pictures to the Region 6 office and presented the material to Cpt. and Lt..  After Agents reviewed all statements from the subjects involved in the incident, observed all photos taken from the individuals involved, Agents concluded that Crosby Dredge LLC was at fault.  
  
  Agents concluded that the dredge was approximately 3/4 across the canal, and was not sufficiently marked.  Photos 19 and 20, taken by Subject2, as well as video show that there were no markers on the dredge pipe  from the anchor dolphin to approximately 25 ft behind the dredge boat.  Foreman advised over the VHF radio that the canal would be closed to traffic while the dredge was being moved.  Photos 19 and 20 taken by Subject2 clearly show a vessel named Thunder passing the dredge pipe right after the accident. Agent believes that Foreman should have contacted Harbor Patrol and had them close off the Flotation Canal to all marine traffic, since most vessels are not equipped with VHF radios and are not required to monitor them.  Agents concluded that Operator1 could not have seen the unmarked dredge pipe since it was right at and under the water line (see photos 19, 20 and video).  On 6/20/16 at approximately 9:40, Agents made contact with foreman in Flotation Canal and issued him a citation for interference with navigation.  Foreman was cooperative.