V1, a console operated Seacrest houseboat, was stationary at a sandbar on the Ouachita River. V2, a console operated Malibu. V2 was secured to V1 by rope on starboard, bow cleat, and the starboard, stern cleat. V1 reversed off of the sandbar with V2 in tow. V2 was not under power and had no occupants on board. V1 was under power and had 11 total occupants on board the vessel. V1 Operator was the operator of V1. As V1 was began being operated North on the Ouachita River, the vessel encountered a strong current at the bend of the river. This caused the starboard, bow rope to tighten, which caused it to break. When the rope broke, V2 began to take on water, and ultimately caused V2 to almost fully submerge. The flotation of V2, and the rope on the starboard, stern cleat not breaking, prevented it from fully submerging.  Multiple occupants on board V1 jumped in the water and secured another line to the starboard, bow of V2. V1 then towed V2 back to the sandbar. V2 was secured to a stationary object on the sandbar, and was recovered from the scene on the morning of 5/29/2023. V1 Operator did not have the kill switch attached to her person. No occupants on board V1 were wearing PFDs. Contributing factors to this incident are (1) Excessive Speed for the water conditions, (2) Force of Wake/Wave due to the strong current, and (3) Fault of Equipment due to the rope that secured the Malibu to the Seacrest breaking under tension. The owner of both boats had completed the USCG Boaters Education course and was on board the Seacrest at the time of the incident.
Ouachita River
Monroe                        