RedactedNarrative: Operator was tending a trot line in a pond off of Turtle Bayou on April 5, 2018 while his boat (LA 8396 FL) was in neutral with engine running.  The vessel was hand tiller controlled.  As he was baiting a line, at approximately 1400 hours, the boat swung in the wind tightening the main line and flexing one of the poles over the side of the boat.  
  
  According to operator, either the pole or the main line caught the shift lever engaging the motor into forward.  At this time, his right hand was hooked by one of the lines and pulled him out of the vessel.  He attempted to swim after his vessel, but was never able to catch up to it as it was in gear circling, but being pushed away by wind.  As he became fatigued he swam and climbed into a duck blind.  He stayed in the duck blind from approximately 1400 hrs on 4/5/18 until he was found by a friend at approximately 1030 hrs on 4/6/18.  
  
  His vessel was also located across the large pond stuck on an island with the motor running and still in gear.  The friend brought operator into Bob’s Bayou Black Marian where they were met by Acadian Ambulance and brought to Terrebonne General Medical Center.  His hand injured by the hook was treated, and he was given antibiotics to help prevent infection.  He was also given food and water at hospital due to the length of time he was stranded on the duck blind.  Alcohol is not believed to be involved in the incident.  The subject was not wearing a PFD at the time of the incident nor was he wearing the engine cutoff lanyard.
  