There was a boat accident at Cocodrie La. this morning. My brother in law was driving that shrimp boat and as of now his body has not been recovered. He was returning to port from a night of skimming (shrimping) in his boat when it was hit by an oilfield boat sinking the shrimp boat instantly. That happened around 7:30 this morning. The boat went down so fast that they had to wait until the boat was found and retrieved this afternoon before it could be determined who's it was and speculate on who was in it. I saw the news flash at lunch and never in a thousand year would have thought it was "Ping". The man lived his whole life fishing for a living or driving a boat. He only recently found crappie fishing and was beginning to really get involved in it. We had discussed making a trip or two but never got around to doing it and were hoping to do it this fall. Every year he grew a beautiful garden. He was as good as they come, living his life to the fullest. He loved playing Christian and Country music with his kids and grandkids. He was a great husband and father. He will be missed.

Thanks,
"gene"

Im so sorry to hear that Gene.
My condolences to all the family.

Sorry to hear this Gene.
Sad day for everyone.

Right now I am shocked and don't know what to say.

It is very sad. I am sorry, will keep the family in prayers.

Karla

Hi Gene,

So sorry for your families loss.  I pray that your faith, family, friends and your good memories of him help you through this difficult time.

What a tragedy. So sorry to hear this sudden loss Gene.

Hi Gene
So sorry to hear about your loss.
You and your family will be in my prayers
Vito

I'm so sorry Gene.

So sorry Gene.

Sad news, Gene. My prayers are with the family.

Gene,

Our prayers to you and the family as well.

Gene,

My heart goes out to you. So sorry to hear about your loss.

I wake with a heavy heart this morning still not believing what I know is fact. Thanks everyone for you prayers and kind thoughts. As of last night when I went to bed, his body had not been found. Besides the Water Patrol of the sheriff dept. dragging for his body, many of his friends were out in their boat running through the whole area with their net down hoping to put an end to the search.

"Ping" as he was affectionately known was well loved by all that knew him. He was always available when help was needed. He build his own boats to shrimp in, in fact, in his lifetime he's built a dozen or more. As we all know there is no perfect boat, but he kept looking and building. He made some as large as 50 footers and some as small as 16 foot. Self taught in his skills, he built many of them out of wood which is almost a lost art nowadays. Later he turned to steel, and then aluminum which was what his final boat was made of. He made nets for his friends and shrimping buddies just because he could. He was never one to be idle. He build 3 houses for himself in his lifetime plus many more for his kids. I guess I could ramble on and on, but I think you get the idea. He was a wonderful cajun and a great brother in law.

Thanks for listening,
"gene"                                

I am very sorry Gene. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.

He sounds like a terrific guy.  Sorry for your loss.

Sorry about the loss to your family and the community. Sounds like an awesome man. Wish everyone peace and nothing but good memories of a remarkable man who was lost too soon.

Sorry for your loss and although I 'really' don't know you or him, you both are in my thoughts today.

Gene,
I am saddened by this news.  Please know that I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.  If there is anything we can do for you or your loved ones all you need to do is ask. 

Extending prayers and hoping for the best from my family to yours. Your words express a deep gratitude in knowing your brother-in-law and respecting how he lived. We should all be so blessed to live such that we are remembered so well and contribute as much to our families and to the lives of others.

Gene,
My heart is heavy today thinking about the hole in everybody's life where Ping used to occupy.  There is never any words that can make the pain go away, but I will be thinking about you and your family and keeping you in my prayers.  May all your family and friends find peace in that he was a great man!

I am sorry to hear about another comercial fisherman lost at sea. I will request his name be mentioned at the blessing of the fleet. In barnigate light this season.

i'm sorry to hear about this. my condolence to the family.

pete