On 07/22/2023 at approximately 2:20 P.M., Operator was operating a 32' sailboat bearing registration (v1) upstream in the Mermentau River near the highway 90 bridge in Mermentau with five (5) additional passengers.  

V1 was under power by an inboard engine with remote steering and not by sail at the time of the incident.  V1 crossed under a powerline just north of the bridge when its mast or antenna on top of the mast potentially struck a power line and electrocuted a passenger in V1 who was holding on to a cable with one hand and his other arm was wrapped around the bare metal pole of a Bimini top.  According to witnesses, the injured became unconscious and CPR was performed for approximately one (1) minute when he came to.  

V1 then docked to a nearby barge where the injured was treated by medical personnel and then airlifted to Lord's Regional Hospital in Lafayette.  Operator showed no signs of impairment and there was no alcoholic beverages on board.  PFD's were present however they were not used at the time of the incident.  V1 is not equipped with a kill switch.  Operator has no boating education and less than twenty (20) hours of experience operating a sailboat.  Primary contributing factor would be operator inattention and secondary contributing factor would be operator inexperience.
Citation was issued for: 34:851.20A, 34:851.24F (1), and 34:851.36.
Mermentau River
Mermentau                     