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Marine Report for July 2020

08/07/2020

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St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advises that during the month of July, the Marine Section of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office responded to the following incidents:

Assistance:  July 6, 2020, 11:30 am, Atchafalaya River Delta

On Monday, July 06, 2020, a detective with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office Marine Section was notified via text from the United States Coast Guard SAR of a stranded vessel at the Atchafalaya River Delta. The USCG also provided the boater's name, cell phone number, and coordinates to the location. The detective made contact with the boater who stated he and two friends were headed to the lighthouse when their engine failed.

The detective advised the boater that the Sheriff's Office would respond and if his situation changed before the arrival to call back.

The detective and another deputy launched SMB-2, and responded to the coordinates provided by the USCG. Upon arrival, they observed three people in the stranded vessel. A tow line was connected to the stranded vessel and it was towed back to the boat launch without incident.

 

 

Assistance:  July 22, 2020, 9:18 am, Flat Lake

On Wednesday, July 22, 2020, a detective with the SMPSO Marine Section was on regular patrol when he received a call from dispatch advising of a stranded boater in Flat Lake. Dispatch further advised that the boater advised that he ran aground in Flat Lake and was in need of assistance.

The detective contacted the boater who stated he and another fisherman were out fishing and ran aground. He further stated there were no injuries that he needed assistance getting off the sand bar. The detective contacted supervisors, advised them of the situation, and responded in marked patrol vessel SMB-2 along with another deputy.

Upon arrival, it was determined that an Airboat was needed to assist the boater due to the shallow water conditions. The detective returned to retrieve an Airboat asset while the deputy stood by with the two fishermen. Approximately 45 minutes later the detective returned with an Airboat and was able to tow the aground vessel to deeper water without incident. The boat was able to return to the boat launch under its own power.

 

Assistance:  July 30, 2020, 1:00 pm, GA Cut at Taylor's Point

On Thursday, July 30, 2020, a detective with the SMPSO Marine Section was contacted by dispatch advising of a stranded boater in GA Cut at Taylor's Point. Dispatch further advised that the boater advised that he and his passenger ran aground were in need of assistance. The detective contacted the boater by phone and advised him that the Sheriff's Office would be responding and if his situation changed before the arrival to call back. The detective launched marked patrol vessel SMB-2 and responded to the area.

Upon arrival, the detective observed the stranded vessel and the two boaters seated in a bass fishing vessel. A towline was attached to the stranded vessel and it was towed off the sandbar. The boat was able to return to the boat launch under its own power.

 

PATROL ACTIVITY:

At the beginning of the month, the Marine Section deputies investigated a theft of pontoons which resulted in an arrest of a suspect and the recovery of the pontoons.

In the last week of July, the Marine Section deputies investigated the theft and arson of a camp. The camp was recovered and the investigation is on-going into the person responsible.

The Marine Section also responded to three SAR calls plus regular patrol on the waterways of St. Mary Parish.

 

Contact Information:

 

Public Information Officer

St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office

985-384-1622

pio@stmaryso.com

http://www.stmaryso.com/