Two rescued after boat capsizes in Lake Palourde

A man who was pulled from Lake Palourde by a good Samaritan after a small boat capsized has been charged with failing to comply with personal flotation device rules, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said.
The department said agents responded to a capsized vessel in the lake in St. Martin Parish on Feb. 10.
LDWF agents along with a St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the call about a capsized boat with two people in the water in Lake Palourde and immediately began searching the area.
LDWF agents and the deputy found a good Samaritan in a vessel with the two people who were in the water.  The good Samaritan said he saw the two people clinging to the side of their capsized vessel and was able to get them in his vessel, the LDWF said.
The two people were then transferred to an LDWF vessel, brought to the landing and released unharmed.
LDWF agents recovered the capsized 14-foot vessel from the water and towed it to a nearby launch.
Boaters should be reminded to wear personal flotation devices while underway when required by law and heed small craft advisory warning when on the water.  On Feb. 10, a small craft advisory was issued due to the very strong winds.
The operator of the capsized vessel was cited for failing to comply with personal flotation device requirements since the vessel was less than 16 feet in length and powered by a hand tiller steered outboard motor. Agents participating in this rescue were Agent Trevor Benoit, Sgt. Gerald Sander and Lt. Scott Dupre.  SMPSO Sgt. Jacob Fusilier also assisted in the rescue.