RedactedNarrative: On July 20, 2018 Operator along with 5 passengers were traveling West in Bayou Ricaud when they struck an unlit AID to Navigation.  During the collision one of the passengers who was seated on the bow of the vessel facing the rear, struck his head on a hard object causing a severe laceration to the back of his head.  The subject was in and out of consciousness and transported to University Hospital in New Orleans VIA Airmed.  
  
  A second passenger was thrown out the vessel and hit her leg on the side the vessel as she was ejected.  She was transported to the hospital via private vehicle and treated and released with minor injuries.  
  
  Operator1 stated that they had just left his buddies camp and was heading to another dock west of that location.  Operator1 stated he was very familiar with the waterway and knew he was approaching an unlit Aid To Navigation.  He stated that he turned on his GPS unit so he could locate the ATON and his GPS units brightness was set for daytime.  He stated he looked down for two seconds and looked up and the ATON was right in front of him.  He steered the vessel to the port and struck the ATON with the Bow Starboard of his vessel.  
  
  After the collisions he noticed one female passenger was ejected and that the subject seated in the front was unconscious.  He stated that they retrieved the female passenger and began tending to the unconscious male.  A second vessel following them which did not see the accident assisted them after the collision.  The vessel and passengers were brought to a nearby dock where EMS treated and transported the Male passenger to University Hospital in New Orleans.  
  
  PFD’s were not worn but were onboard at the time of the accident.  The vessel is equipped with remote steering.  Alcohol is not believed to be a factor to the collision.  
  
  After speaking with Operator1 it is believed his failure to maintain a proper lookout, operator inattention and failure to slow his vessel down given the conditions is what caused the collision to occur.
  