Body of missing boater found

The mystery of missing boater Mario Ruffino was solved this past weekend when his body was found by another boater under the Interstate 12 bridge on the Tchefuncte River Saturday at 11:20 a.m.

Lt. Ed Laviolette of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said that search vessels were in the vicinity and hailed by the boater. Ruffino apparently perished in a boating accident April 5 when his 17-foot fiberglass bass boat struck the bridge pilings. The boat was discovered wedged in a wooden channel marker under the bridge by a boater April 6 about 7 p.m.

Ruffino has been the subject of a search and rescue/recovery operation by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries with the assistance of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Divers, special side-glance sonar and dogs had been used to try to locate him with no results until Saturday morning.

An autopsy was performed by the St. Tammany Coroner’s Office but results of toxicology reports will not be available for about two weeks.

Laviolette had said that searches of this type begin at shorelines in case the victim is injured and in need of medical attention. The river is then searched from the shorelines to the deepest part, about 25 feet in this case.

He said the area where Ruffino was found is near a 30-foot hole at the bottom of the river that made locating him difficult due to debris near the hole.

The cause of the accident is still unknown, but Laviolette said the weather conditions at the time of the accident included high winds with a cold front approaching. Water temperatures earlier in the week were 65-68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ruffino had failed to return to the 4th Avenue boat launch in Covington after dropping a friend off in Madisonville about 5:30 p.m. April 5.

He reportedly left Madisonville about midnight, but did not return to his truck at the boat launch.

The heavily damaged boat had at least three impacts with the pilings and the throttle was fully opened, indicating it was traveling at a high rate of speed, said officials.

Family and friends have said Ruffino was an avid fisherman and knew the river well.

According to the American Red Cross, one should always keep the changing weather in mind when boating, including sudden wind shifts, lightning flashes and choppy water which can all mean bad weather. Watch the weather and know local conditions.

When boating, tell someone where you’re going, who is with you and how long you’ll be away. Always check your boat, equipment, boat balance, engine and fuel supply before leaving.

Alcohol and boating don’t mix; it can impair judgment, balance and coordination.

In addition, Louisiana requires that all persons born after Jan. 1, 1988, must complete a boating education course and carry proof of completion to operate a motorboat in excess of 10 horsepower. The person may operate the boat if accompanied by someone over 18 years of age who, if required, has completed the course.