Since last night, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office had been searching for 22-year-old Justin D. Price of Morgan City after his boat was found floating on the water without him.

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office Water Patrol starting search just after 8:30 last night for Price.  Multiple agencies along with volunteers joined in the search and rescue effort with over two dozen boats from the Russon Boat Landing.

Around 10 o'clock last night, a volunteer found Price in the Flat Lake area.  He was taken to Teche Regional Medical Center to be treated for hypothermia.

So what happened?  Price told detectives that he was out hunting when his boat became stuck on a sand bar.  He decided to try to build a fire on the sand bar so he could get warm, and while he was doing that, the boat drifted away.

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office's press release reminds boaters that they should always be aware of what is going on while boating.  They remind boaters that the weather can change quickly, and boaters should always be aware of tidal activity, wind and even when the sun will set.  They point out that even experienced boaters can make mistakes.  They also advise that when you are leaving on a boating trip, you should always let someone know where you are going, when you are going and when you are expecting to return.

Multiple volunteers and agencies turned out to help in the succesful search including the:

St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office

Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Berwick Volunteer Fire Department

Morgan City Fire Department

Bayou Vista Volunteer Fire Department

Amelia Volunteer Fire Department

United State Coast Guard - was on standby to help with a helicopter if needed

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