The operator of vessel 1 was traveling on the public waterway of calcasiseu river heading west in a 15' havoc w/60 hp mercury tiller handle.  He had one other person onboard.

Vessel 1 was on plane just west of theriot launch on the calcasieu  river when he turned south at the river bend and attempted to make a quick u-turn hitting the wake he had just created.  Operator lost control of his vessel, due to speed and force of hitting his own wake.  Operator and his passenger occupant, became ejected from the vessel. The vessel then capsized and sank.

Operator had his kill switch on which killed the engine as he was ejected from the vessel.  Operator and occupant both were not wearing their pfd's at the time.  Operaotr’s brother was the operator of the other vessel just behind him at the time of the incident, with a passenger.  They retrieved operator  and occupant from the water.  Operator and occupant both did not receive any injuries.  Operator received citation for rs 34:851.4  (careless operation of a watercraft) and for rs 34:851.24 (failure to comply w/pfd requirements on vessel less than 16' with tiller handle).

CALCASIEU RIVER
LAKE CHARLES                  