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

Regular Patrol/Assistance:  September 4, 2020, 12:00 pm, ICW, m/b 121

  On Friday, September 04, 2020, at approximately 1200 hours, a deputy with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office Marine Section received a call from dispatch advising that a boat owner called stating he needed assistance locating his fishing vessel. The deputy was able to make contact with the boat owner who stated that his fishing vessel was overdue and out of contact and he was worried about the captain of his vessel. He further stated he last heard from the captain at 0630 this morning when he texted him to inform him that the battery was dead on the vessel and he could not restart the main engine. The boat owner also stated that the captain had reported to him he was at the Ivanhoe Canal. The boat owner then stated he had a friend leave from the Port of Iberia to transport a battery but could not locate the vessel. He described the vessel as a 60' trawler blue in color. The deputy responded in SMB-4, a marked patrol vessel from the Franklin boat launch. Upon entering the ICW from the Franklin Canal, the deputy observed the vessel in question on the south bank of the ICW at M/B 121. Shortly after arrival, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents arrived on the scene. It was determined that the vessel did have a dead battery. At this time, the deputy transported the boat owner and a replacement battery to the stranded vessel.

  Upon arrival at the vessel with the replacement battery, it was determined that the replacement battery was also dead. The deputy transported the boat owner back to the Franklin boat launch where he advised me that he would return in the morning to take care of the vessel. The deputy contacted the United States Coast Guard and advised them of the situation. There is nothing further to report at this time.

 

Callout/Assistance:  September 14, 2020, 5:20 pm, Cabot Boat Launch

On Monday, September 14, 2020, at approximately 1720 hours, a deputy with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office Marine Section received a call from dispatch in reference to a sunken vessel. Dispatch advised that a man called stating his son and his son's friend had sunk their boat in the ICW and wanted to talk with a deputy. The deputy then made contact with the man who stated he and the two boys were at the Cabot boat launch and were wondering if the deputy could contact the vessel that swamped them. The deputy advised that he would be in route to their location, I then called the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) due to the incident being a boating accident. Upon arrival at the Cabot boat launch, I was able to speak with all persons involved. The person operating the vessel stated he was approaching a commercial towing vessel from behind and didn't realize the size of the wake. Then the vessel he was operating pitched hard to the port after striking the second wake at speed throwing him and his friend out. At this time the agent with the LDWF arrived and the scene was turned over to him.

 

Regular Patrol/Assistance:  September 15, 2020, 10:37 am, Horseshoe Bayou

On Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at approximately 1037 hours, a deputy with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office Marine Section received a call from dispatch advising of a stranded duck hunter near the Wax Lake Delta. Dispatch further advised that the duck hunter called stating he was experiencing engine trouble and was in need of assistance. The deputy made contact with the hunter who stated that he was in Horseshoe Bayou headed to Burns Point when his outboard engine died and would not restart. He further stated he had two friends with him. The deputy advised the hunter that the Sheriff's Office would respond and if his situation changed to call back. While en route to the Burns Point Boat Launch the duck hunter called back stating he was able to get the engine started and they were en route to the boat launch, but at idle speed only. The deputy advised the hunter that he would stand by the boat launch until they arrived to make sure they returned safely. Minutes later the three individuals arrived in a duck hunting type vessel. There is nothing further to report at this time.

 

Regular Patrol/Assistance:  September 15, 2020, 9:45 am, Wax Lake Spillway

On Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at approximately 0945 hours, a deputy with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office Marine Section received a call from dispatch in reference to a stranded duck hunter in the Wax Lake Spillway. Dispatch further advised that the duck hunter called stating he was on his way in from the Wax Lake Delta when he experienced engine trouble and was in need of assistance. The deputy made contact with the duck hunter who stated he and another hunter were stranded in the Wax Lake Spillway south of the Railroad Bridge but north of the ICW. The deputy advised the hunter that the Sheriff's Office would respond and if his situation changed to call back. Two deputies responded to the location given in SMB-4, a marked patrol vessel. Upon arrival, they observed two individuals in a green in color duck hunting type vessel along the east bank of the Wax. After making contact, the deputies had the hunters to secure a towline to the vessel and they were then towed to the Calumet Boat Launch without incident. There is nothing further to report at this time.

 

 

PATROL ACTIVITY:

In the month of September, the Marine Section deputies patrolled many areas of SMP, however, they patrolled areas south of the Intercoastal Waterway quite often due to the start of hunting season. The number of boats increased significantly due to the opening of duck hunting season as usual.

 

Contact Information:

 

Public Information Officer

St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office

985-384-1622

pio@stmaryso.com

http://www.stmaryso.com/