On February 12, 2023 at approximately 9:47 A.M., Operator was ejected from his vessel while traveling in the boat lane near Tranquility Bay on Toledo Bend Lake in Sabine Parish. Agents were advised of the boat accident on 2/12/2023 at approximately 9:47 A.M. While on scene, Agents observed an unoccupied vessel underway, operating in circles in the middle of the boat lane. Operator was retrieved from the water by a nearby boater and brought back to the Tranquility Bay boat launch where he was transported to LSU Shreveoprt Oschners hospital by Med Express.  Agents were able to secure the unoccupied vessel and return it to the boat launch. 

While driving the vessel back to the boat launch, agents discovered that the steering was backwards. After talking to Operator, he advised that he recently had the steering repaired. The vessel was a 17 ft., 1989 Ranger 350V, powered by a 150 Yamaha proV with remote steering. Operator was not wearing a PFD or a kill switch. The use of drugs and/or alcohol are not being considered a contributing factor in the accident. Operator inattention and fault of machinery is being considered the contributing factors in the accident.
Toledo Bend
Zwolle                        