RedactedNarrative: On January 28, 2018 two people were in a 17' aluminum vessel (LA7386GB) powered by a 35hp Gatortail motor traveling in the 21" canal located in St. Martin Parish.  Around midnight the vessel struck a concrete piling.  
  Both the operator and passenger were wearing their Pfd's and the operator was wearing the kill lanyard.  The occupants were headed to the Belle River Public launch.  The operator’s vision was severely hindered due to the thick fog and the passenger was looking at Google maps on a phone.  The passenger saw the piling come into view on the phone and he attempted to warn the operator but the operator didn't hear.  
  
  At the last second the operator saw the piling and attempted to turn away but struck the piling head-on.  The vessel struck the piling on the port bow corner causing the passenger to be ejected and the operator to strike the front deck of the vessel.  
  Both subjects were taken to Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City to treat their injuries.  The operator was later transported to Our Lady of The Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. The operator’s injuries include a broken jaw, several other broken bones in the face, along with a bruised and bleeding colon.  The passenger’s injuries include three staples on his head and a fractured Fibula.  Neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor with this accident. Operator was cited for careless operation of a water craft.
  