re: Boat accident in Lake Barre

We don't know for sure, and yes you can frick a boat completely up by hitting a stationary object while going pretty slow, but to eject 3 people with enough force to kill one you have to be going fast. I've been taken out at night by a charter captain and he went flat-out. My impression was that they all do that.

I know someone who hit a tree going about 20 in a mud boat. Nobody flew out of the boat. The abrupt stop made them hit the deck and front deck hard and really messed them up. Two of the three passengers needed surgery of some sort to repair broken bones.

I fish around east timbalier sometimes and I don't think people know how close they are to hitting giant piles and rocks that are just under the water. People pass the same area over and over again thinking the water is safe when they might've been six inches from sinking their boat every time. I'm sure this guy knew the area very well but I'm really shocked that there aren't more accidents on the coast with all of the weekend warriors. I know from being around that island at low tide that I've been lucky and there's areas like that all along the coast.

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And no, lights aren't the answer. Lights on a boat don't work like lights on a car. The best thing to do is use a Q beam on occasion to spotlight the bouys to be sure you are in the channel. Otherwise drive by the moonlight. No you can't see for shite. But that's why you go slow at night or not at all. Jamming along at 60 at night like so many do seems crazy to me

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Man I learned this the hard way. Launched out of Freshwater City to do some speck fishing at the nearby rigs in the gulf. Brought my spotlight thinking I would use it like when I go duck hunting in the bayou. It was completely useless. Couldn't see shite. It was scary as shite. Went like 10-15mph the whole time

Drive slow in reduced visibility no matter what type of equipment you have, and if you don't have a radar, follow your GPS track. Unfortunanty, this was an act of poor captianing skills/decisions.

Condolences to family and friends of the deceased. This shouldn't have happened...period.

Interesting that his bio says night fishing is his thing.

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Captain Mike Ledet At 48, Mike is in his prime with no signs of slowing down. A charter captain out of the Sportsman's Paradise for more than 30 years, Mike specializes in bay and marsh fishing. Mike's real expertise is in night fishing and he is simply the best and most experienced night captain going. He has built artificial reefs for trout and once he lights up his location, the trout and reds come calling. Mike is available 12 months a year, so if night fishing in the warm months is your bag, Captain Mike Ledet is your man. His catch records are all the proof you need for a successful trip. Pictures don't lie. It is a rare occasion when Mike doesn't limit out.

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It's crazy to think about how many times my friends and I have run out to the Mardi Gras Rig and back to Jug's in straight darkness out there. Unbelievable to think something like this could happen. This is the exact reason why I run my boat at 30 mph MAX whether it be Day or night. At night I tend to run 25ish but I just have ever seen the need to run faster than that in a boat. Praying for everyone involved and will likely put on a life jacket next time I head out to Mardi Gras at night with no moon

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we run 10 knots at night, in the open gulf, with radar and gps. I would never go 10 knots, much less 30, inshore. that's crazy.

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I am never in a hurry in the dark, anymore......

wise man el jefe

I fished the area last Thursday and know it pretty well. I would never attempt to run it at night. I believe the capt is a Terrebonne parish employee if I have the right guy. He's been chartering down that way a long time.

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At night I tend to run 25ish

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and will likely put on a life jacket next time I head out

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facepalm