On June 28 2023 at approximately 4:20PM, Cpl and Agt were notified of a two vessel boating incident occurring in Bayou La Loutre St. Bernard Parish. Agents arrived on scene and identified Vessel 1 operator. The vessel he had been operating, which had grounded itself, was located on a nearby bank of Bayou La Loutre (29'48.458/89'37.808). Through questioning, agents determined his vessel (vessel 1) had been overtaken by an unknown vessel (vessel 2) in Bayou La Loutre, when it struck vessel 2's wake. 

The wake caused vessel 1 to turn hard starboard and ground itself on the bank off Hopedale Hwy. The sudden turn resulted in Operator1 being thrown from the vessel over the port side. A nearby commercial crabber assisted Operator1 from the water approximately 3-4 minutes after the incident. Once on shore, Operator1 approached his vessel and turned the motor to the off position, which was still running out the the water . No alcohol or drug use suspected. No PFD or kill switch used during the incident. Seatow has recovered the vessel. Vessel number 2 and the operator has not been identified as of 6-29-2023. Further investigation needed to identify vessel 2.  Charges pending.

bayou la loutre
Hopedale                      