RedactedNarrative: On 6/19/22 Operator was operating a 2013 Remington 24SLX party barge, headed up the Tangipahoa river from Lake Pontchartrain. At approximately 1:30pm. The vessel struck a large tree top out in the river. The river is approximately 60 yards wide at this point. The treetop was approximately 20 yards from the right-hand bank of the river if headed upriver. 
  
  When the vessel struck the treetop, it took damage to the bow. Resulting from the impact Occupant1 was thrown forward in the vessel down to the deck, hitting her head at some point. Occupant1 was transported to North Oaks Medical Center for care, where it was determined she had two brain bleeds. Its unknown if alcohol was involved and/or a contributing factor due to Wildlife and Fisheries not being notified until the next day. Operator informed me he just did not see the treetop, he knew it was there but didn't see it, that he guesses he just wasn't paying attention. There were numerous PFD's on board but were not used. The vessel was controlled by hydraulic remote steering wheel. the contributing factor was operator in attention, resulting in a collision with a fixed object (tree top). Operator was issued a citation for violating 34:851.4 careless operation, due to the fact the accident was caused from him not paying attention while operating a vessel.
  