RedactedNarrative: Vessel 1 (LA 4165 GJ), a 20'8" Bass Cat controlled by remote steering and powered by a Mercury 250 outboard motor, was traveling upstream in the Mermentau River.  Vessel 1 had two occupants, the operator and one passenger.  The operator was participating in a fishing tournament with multiple vessels who left the boat launch at the same time.  
  
  He attempted to cross the wake of multiple boats participating in the same fishing tournament.  When he attempted to negotiate the wake, he failed to reduce speed which caused him to violate rules of the road #16 (all vessels shall be operated at reasonable speeds for given conditions and situations and must be under the complete control of the operator at all time).  Upon violating this rule of the road he lost control of Vessel 1 and the vessel veared from its course at approximately a 90 degree angle causing it to ground on the west bank of the Mermentau River and collide with two trees on the bank.  
  
  No injuries occurred as a result of the incident.  Both operator and passenger stated that they were wearing properly sized wearable PFD's at the time of the incident.  It is unknown if drug and/or alcohol use was a factor because the incident was called in after the fact.
  Citation was issued for RS 34:851.4 (Careless operation).