RedactedNarrative: On Sunday, December 31, 2017, Operator left his boat house by vessel on Caddo lake in Caddo Parish to go duck hunting.  Operator was operating a 17 ft. Pro Drive vessel (vessel 1) and was headed to his blind on the lake.  Operator' duck blind is located in the central part of the lake in open water.  
  
  Operator' wife became concerned later in the day when she had not heard from him.  She went out on the lake to look for him, but was unable to make it to his duck blind due to the rough water conditions.  A friend of Operator was able to make it to Operator' blind to check on him.  
  
  Friend found Operator' deceased body floating in the water in the boat stall of the duck blind.  Operator was wearing a Type 3 PFD when he was found.  The Pro Drive vessel was later located sunk in 10 ft. of water right next to the duck blind.  The Pro Drive was recovered 2 days later.  There was no damage to the vessel and the plug was in it.  
  
  Initial autopsy indicated that Operator died due to drowning.  The wind was blowing between 8 - 15 mph with gusts up to 17 mph during the time (6 a.m. - 7 a.m.) Operator was going to his duck blind.  
  
  I believe the wind and the fact that Operator' duck blind was located in open water caused water to come in the boat and eventually sink the vessel at the duck blind, throwing Operator into the water.  Due to the cold weather and water, I believe Operator was not able to get into the blind.  I believe the contributing factors are:  1. weather, 2. operator inattention, 3. operator inexperience.  
  
  Toxicology results are pending, but drugs and alcohol are not suspected in this incident.
  