RedactedNarrative: On July 3, 2021, LDWF Agents Lt.  and Agent were on patrol of the Black River Lake Complex.  At approximately 1510 hrs Agents were notified that there was a vessel on fire on a portion of Black River Lake located in Catahoula Parish.  At approximately 1530 hrs Agents arrived at the location of the accident where they observed the vessel secured at a nearby boat dock.  Upon arrival Agents identified themselves as State Wildlife Agents.  The owner of the vessel was identified.   
             After questioning it was discovered that Owner son was the operator of the vessel at approximately 1500 hrs when the accident occurred.  Owner, who was a passenger on the vessel at the time of the accident advised that they were on step cruising when they heard a loud boom or explosion from the motor which blew the cowling off of the motor onto the back seat.  Owner advised that fire was coming from the 115 Mercury motor and an unknown vessel stopped to help and put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. 
  
   
            Owner advised Agents that there were only 7 occupants, who were all adults, on board the vessel at the time of the accident.  Agents made contact with all of the passengers and confirmed that there were no injuries to report.  Due to the type of accident no PFD's were required and the only damage observed by Agents were from where the outboard motor and control lines had been burned.
           Agents determined that drugs nor alcohol were contributing factors in the accident and that the cause of the accident was a result of the fault of machinery due to possible ignition of spilled fuel or vapors.