On May 20, 2023 at approximately 6:34 pm, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office (TPSO) Deputy 1 contacted me, Sgt. 2, about a single vessel accident TPSO was responding to in Terrebonne Bay. I put myself and Cpl. 3 in route to conduct the boat accident investigation.  We arrived on scene at the Cocodrie Marina at approximately 8:00pm.  The vessel was towed in by TPSO and arrived at Cocodrie Marina at approximately 8:08 pm.  Once the vessel and occupants were there, I began an investigation into the incident.  The operator, identified as Operator, was engaged in cruising in his vessel with 2 occupants.  While cruising on the North end of Terrebonne Bay and passing around a land mass Operator advised he struck an unseen submerged object that had a hard impact to his engine.  Operator advised that no injuries were sustained as a result of the impact.  EMS services were offered and all  occupants denied the need for medical attention.  After the impact, the engine would no longer operate correctly after impact and they were left stranded.  The vessel is a Ranger 22' center console, remote steering, powered by an Evinrude 250HP engine.  Operator advised that all three occupants were wearing their lifejackets and he had the safety lanyard attached to him.  At the point of first contact, I did not detect any clues that would indicate that drugs or alcohol were involved in the incident.  Likewise, no drug paraphernalia, drugs, or alcohol were noted as present in the vessel at the time of the inspection.  Photos of the vessel and the damage of the vessel were documented at the time of the inspection.  On the keel of the vessel, at port stern, an approximate 4 inch by 1/2 inch tear in the gel coat was noted and photographed.  The damage was in a line running from the bow to stern.  The lower unit of the vessel had multiple points of damage.  The propeller was damaged on all 4 blades.  The prop shaft was locked in place and the skeg displayed multiple points of missing material from impact.  The lower part of the swivel bracket appeared to be broken and while the vessel was in the water a sheen of oil was apparent.
TERREBONNE BAY
COCODRIE                      