RedactedNarrative: On 03/21/14 two subjects took Operator's new flatboat with Gatortail motor out for a frogging trip. Vessel 1 (16'x48") Alweld HIN#AWLC1117OH314) was being driven generally eastward in Marcello's canal. The subjects were utilizing headlights and a handheld spotlight sweeping the shore looking for frogs as they idled down the shoreline(common practice). 
   
  As vessel one approached the slight turn to the east in the canal they achieved plane. Traveling at approximately 20 mph, the operator observed a second vessel with no navigation lights approaching from the east. The operator and the passenger watched the vessel to make sure it did not maneuver in their direction. As the operator was watching the vessel pass their position he returned his gaze forward of Vessel 1. At this point vessel 1 was heading toward an unlit piling/pipeline sign. the operator reduced throttle, however it was too late. Vessel 1 struck the unlit structure approximately 7 inches starboard of the bow center along the flat fronted bow, causing a 3" deep dent in the bow. When Vessel1struck the piling it came to an immediate stop. The passenger rolled or fell forward from seated position spraining his left ankle. The operator was standing while operating the tiller outboard (Gatortail). When Vessel 1 stopped as a result for the collision, either the starting battery or the 6 gallon gas tank flew forward striking the operators right leg. The operator's leg was broken in 2 places. both subjects went to the St. Charles Parish Hospital and were treated. The passenger was placed in an orthopedic boot and crutches. The operator's leg required surgery to be fixed; he is now in a cast and crutches. There is no evidence of alcohol or drug involvement. All required safety equipment was on the vessel. Note: The vessel was purchased approximately one month prior to the accident and the registration application and money order had been sent to the LDWF Boat Registration Office. 
  
  Primary contributing factor appears to be operator inexperience. The operator has years of boating experience as a commercial fisherman, however the operator stated that it was only his second time in that canal (both times being at night. A prudent boater would have acquired better area knowledge before navigating unknown waters at night. The secondary contributing factor is excessive speed. The operators not speeding excessively in a reckless or careless manner, however the speed that he was traveling was excessive based on the conditions. He was virtually new to the area, was unaware of local hazards and did not reduce throttle when first seeing an unlit vessel operating near him. The tertiary contributing factor was other(unlit piling). If the piling was equipped with a light to signal it's location to boaters, it is less likely that the collision would have occurred.