Boating accidents ring in 2019

Football is awesome, but we need to fix it
January 9, 2019
Angels from the North
January 9, 2019
Football is awesome, but we need to fix it
January 9, 2019
Angels from the North
January 9, 2019

Two separate Terrebonne Parish boating incidents resulting in injuries rang in the start of 2019, and in at least one case the use of lifejackets by adults — recommended though not required by law — may have averted further tragedy.


The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating both incidents, one on Jan. 1 in Dulac and the other Jan. 3 in Pointe-aux-Chenes.

LDWF officials confirmed that in Dulac at around 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 1 two 20-foot recreational boats were traveling side by side in Bayou Grand Caillou.

A confirmation could not be obtained from LDWF of claims by witnesses that the vessels were racing. Video of the incident obtained by The Times shows both vessels traveling side-by-side at a high rate of speed.


“The vessels collided ejecting both operators into the water,” said LDWF spokesman Adam Einck. “Both were wearing PFDs (portable flotation devices). Witnesses were able to retrieve both men and get them to shore and call emergency services. EMS transported both men to the Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma for treatment of various injuries.”

In the Pointe-aux-Chenes incident, according to Einck, an operator of a mud-boat ran into shallow water and struck the bottom which caused the vessel to quickly stop.

“The passengers were ejected onto a mudflat while the operator continued forward and struck the forward deck,” Einck said, placing the incident’s location as East Lake Felicity. “None of the occupants were wearing PFD’s at the time of the incident. The passengers were able to re-board the vessel and return to the Pointe-aux-Chenes Marina where they left the vessel and returned to the operator’s residence. Once at the residence an ambulance was called and the operator was transported to Leonard Chabert Medical Center to be treated for possible injuries.”


First responders and other safety personnel strongly recommend that personal flotation devices be worn by all passengers in a vessel when it is underway, particular those vessels smaller in size.

Although someone may regard themselves as a good swimmer, the potential of being knocked unconscious during or after ejection or otherwise being unable to have full use of the body can make swimming skills moot, resulting in drowning.

State law requires that all occupants of any boat who are under 12 years of age wear a life jacket when a vessel is underway.


Capt. Mike Ledet of the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office said taking proper precautions are vital when in a high-pressure situation.

“If you are knocked out and in the water you could be gone,” Ledet said. “There is a very good chance you are not going to survive without a life jacket. It’s a question of how safe you want to be.”