Boat accident

[trollhole]

Boat accident story <br />

<br />I was on the lake right beside this one this weekend. Just makes you wonder what kind of people are out there and how safe the water really is with people drinking and driving. He was charged with BUI. Aparently he was in a bass boat going at a high rate of speed and came around a corner and just crashed right into them. Not easy to get out of the way of a rocket with a brick. <br />Chalk another one up for idiots out on the lake. A friend of mine had actually gone fishing with this guy about 4 years ago and said he would never go with him again because all he does is go full throttle from point to point. Does anybody agree we should have some sort of speed limit for boats out on crowded lakes or small lakes with blind corners. I mean how fast do we really need to go at the expense of possibly injuring an innocent boater.

 

[TrenchFisherman]

Re: Boat accident

i totally agree...i live in Northern NJ and we only have maybe 2 or 3 places gas boats are even allowed. Lots of city folks come up with there high speed jet skis and speed boats and take over the lake. The lake does have a 30 mph speed limit but do you think city people give a rats azz with that. Its funny because the lake is very shallow in spots and very narrow in some spots and there are speed boats on it with triple outboards going at least 70mph. I guess they don't realize boats dont have breaks or they just don't care. Too bad people like that have to ruin a good day of boating.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Boat accident

Happens all the time....<br /><br />I was out Sat. and was heading back in (storm approaching). I was in the channel almost WOT and this idiot with 3 passengers in a LUND comes right out into the channel in front of me. I slowed and allowed him to go ahead. He proceeds to veer out of the channel, so I go straight and then he realizes where he is and heads back in..Right in front of me, this time I had to shut down completely... My wife was yelling like a mad-man at the guy.. He never slowed down during both instances. I proceeded to pass him and allowed my wife to extend the middle finger... They never even flinched.

 

[martyscher]

Re: Boat accident

Colorado already has a 40MPH speed limit for boats on all water.<br /><br />Seems reasonable that other states could benefit from a reasonable speed limit also.<br /><br />As far as the drunken idiots, the best we can probably do is practice "defensive boating", like they taught us in driver's ed.<br /><br />"Always assume that the other person does not know what they are doing"<br /><br />Good luck everyone.

 

[martyscher]

Re: Boat accident

KCLOST<br /><br />Is your wife and my wife related?<br /><br />Their response to bad drivers makes me think they could be separated at birth.

 

[Knoxes]

Re: Boat accident

Land or water - accidents suck, but they happen. And they happen on land for the same reason - people acting irresponsibly or ignorantly. I'm more interested in seeing a mandatory boaters safety course and/or licesening. Unfortunately, it's more likely to end in casualties on the water than land. I've just found that most (and I mean most) boaters on our lake don't know simple rules of the road and that's just sad. Troll - how was Litchfield?

 

[trollhole]

Re: Boat accident

Flounder was good caught about 10 good sized fish the week I was there. Good eating. Tide was really high that week though I guess the tropical storm had something to do with it which made going out and comming in pretty easy. Used Mudd Minnows on a two hook flonder rig with no cork. Trolled the bottom. Caught a whole bunch more but most were not legal and I only needed a few for a couple dinners. Good eating though.

 

[epresutti]

Re: Boat accident

Folks,<br /><br />In the state of Ohio on June 25th, 1998 House Bill #502 was signed, all boaters must show proof of their boating knowledge by completing a boating education course (National Association of State Boating Law Adminitrators - NASBLA) or a proficiency test. Law was effective January 1, 2000 for crafts with more than 10hp motors.<br /><br />Only problem with it is: if you were born before January 1, 1982 you are not required to be proficient. So anyone who is over 20 is not required to be proficient, a lot of good that does. At least the children are protected from themselves just not from the adults.<br /><br />Safe boating to all.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />emp.

 

[naughtybynature]

Re: Boat accident

geeze guys, i'm not so sure speed can be blamed for most accidents.... too easy! let's ask why did the accident happen? was it because someone cut infront of a boat that was travelling at a high rate of speed? if the speeding boat hits the moron who didn't look before turning..... it's always the speeder's fault. TOO EASY! EVERYONE on the water has to be responsible and safe. period. the moron going 15 mph is just as dangerous as a moron going 70. yaya the guy doing 70 MIGHT cause more damage, but the accident was caused by the moron.... not the speed. obviously i like to go fast in my boat, that is the sole reason i am a boater. however i am safe at all times, i wear a life jacket, and i do not speed in crowded areas. putting speed restrictions on lakes is simply an easy way to give the morons an excuse to cause accidents and then everyone can blame it on speed. TOO EASY!<br />let's all deal with the root of the problem and support safe boating through liscensing and education... that i believe with solve the problem better than simply legislating away the right to enjoy speed in a safe manner.<br /><br />simply read the posts on this forum from first time boat owners.... a little education would go along way to ensure that owners of boats have the knowledge to boat safely. boating is the most enjoyable family recreation i can think of. do it safely please... before all that is left to do is putter around all day.... not much fun in that!<br /><br />100 mph.... hair straight back!

 

[epresutti]

Re: Boat accident

NaughtyByNature,<br /><br />I can't disagree with what you say, the problem I see is not people like yourself who go to these forums, and pay attention to the advise and expertise that is given. I enjoy speed as much as the next guy, I especially like skiing at speed. I also enjoy my friends little 14 footer that we use for fishing. Like anything there is a time a place and equipment for whatever it is you want to do.<br /><br />The problem is how do we educate and advise those that are not making an effort to educate themselves. This has been a problem (in society not just with boating) that we the people have been strugling with for over 200 years.<br /><br />Just my $0.02<br /><br />Safe boating to all.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />emp.

 

[iRich]

Re: Boat accident

Well not having read the actual story I't's hard to say who's faylt it was. But from my experience with bass boats on the river i usually fish most of them are accidents waiting to happen. I can't count how many times some of these idiots come flying around bends in the little creeks off the main river. If someone was there they would never stop in time. You can give them all the boating courses you want but you can't teach common sense. It does seem like the bass boats are a special breed though. I could never figure out why they need to put their boat in at ramp x and then drive 70+ mph past 3 or 4 other ramps to get to where they want to fish for five minutes and then head back the opposite way. I can put my boat in at any of the ramps and catch bass all day long and not go more than 1/2 mile. my 02 cents<br /><br />Rich

 

[Knoxes]

Re: Boat accident

I don't disagree naughty, but I'd much rather be broad sided by a boat going 15 than 70. The accidents with excessive speeds are obviously more catastrophic. But your point is good, it's not necessarily the speed. And all water is different. I simply don't see the purpose of speeds over 60 on my lake - there's just too much traffic. Where ya goin' that fast?

 

[495v]

Re: Boat accident

Ed from Granville hit it right on the head, "there is a time and place for it." As with all accidents, it's a matter of using proper judgement. Many people lack this judgement wether on the road, on the water, or whatever the case may be. This lack of judgement is what CAUSES accidents, it's the speed that makes matters worse. And as Naughty said, the slow driver's contribute to accidents just as well. Why do you think you can get ticketed on the freeway for going to slow.

 

[naughtybynature]

Re: Boat accident

there's a time and place for speed... this concept seperates the moron's from the good people here on this forum. it just seems funny that you can lay down some greenbacks and buy a boat capable of ruining lives (at any speed)without proving any compitency or boating knowledge. CRAZY! i understand that common sense does not apply to all and that there must be rules... but it STEAMS ME that a few bad apples have to ruin it for everyone. please please please be safe on the water, and the land for that matter. you can make all the rules you want but another moron is born every minute.... with a big inheritence to spend... and remember the saying folks "how fast can you afford to go?"

 

[RICKRICK1]

Re: Boat accident

My .02.<br /> <br /> Drinking and boating <br /> Drinking and driving<br /> Drinking and hunting<br /><br /> All are enjoyed by alot of people, what separates the safe from the unsafe " Drinking alcohol". Dont get me wrong, I have a drink everynow and then. But not on the water, in the truck, or hunting. And I WILL NOT GO WITH THOSE WHO DO. I have seen to many of my friends and neighbors hurt because of alcohol.<br />

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Boat accident

naughtybynature.Ya what you said. Let me just add, after all the time,money,sweat(lot this summer)and tears restoring my boat. I wouldnt want to scatch it let alone damage it from my own stupidy by hitting something at 65mph.

 

[dutch135]

Re: Boat accident

A agree that education is the key, but most states don't mandate it. It should be required for EVERYBODY. We live on a lake, and during the week there are no problems with the locals. It's the weekend that the lake gets mobbed with boats, and we used to be one of those ourselves. Now we live here, and it is amazing at how each year, more and more people are finding the lakes for r&r. But how can you control it? The state has a public boat launch, and it is overloaded with boat trailers every weekend, boy I don't miss that scene! The speed issue isn't quite as much a problem where we are, most boats that come are smaller, but the people that don't know the rules makes it very dangerous. They pull their tubes at 30+ mph, which is very dangerous, they cut in and out, and all the while there are about a dozen jetski's running in every possible direction trying to catch the wakes of these boats. Add to that the waterskiier, the fisherman, the pontoon boat with 15 people aboard, and the half dozen or more boats just anchored in the middle of the lake to swim and sun, and it makes it a little hairy sometimes. (this lake isn't all that big) If everybody had to be certified, and knew the rules of how far from other boats, and shoreline and dock they had to be, and who had the right of way etc. things would be a lot different. 2 nites ago, Monday nite, we drove around the lake, just about idle speed, and watched a boat with 2 tubes behind it going around in circles,, around and around,, looked like a lot of fun in daylight. But it was DARK! How can you see if one of the kids fell off before you ran over it? These are the people that need education. And I don't blame the younger kids as much anymore, it's the parents that buy a boat and have no idea what the rules are. <br />Anyway, that's my .02 worth.<br /><br />Have fun, be safe! The water is a wonderful place to be! (even fun in winter on the snowmobiles!)<br /><br />

 

[epresutti]

Re: Boat accident

Folks,<br /><br />Don't want to beat this one to death. I was thinking about what everyone has said, and your point Naughty, it is amazing that with a little bit of green your on the water.<br /><br />The thought I had is: You can't drive a car without a license, you must have certifications for different size vehicles (tactor trailers, etc.), you must have a certification for motorcycle, etc. There are so many different types of boats, pwc, etc. It would seem to me that it would make sense to have a "drivers license" for these "vehicles" with the same type of criteria that is used for cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc.<br /><br />I would pay the license fee with a smile on my face, knowing that EVERYONE must have a license. There are always the drivers without a license, but they are a minority for vehicles.<br /><br />More than my $0.02, I'll be quiet now.<br /><br />Safe, Safe boating to all.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />emp.

 

[BigBabyLou]

Re: Boat accident

I more than agree with the idea of a boating license. I come from Europe and you can't drive a power boat (I believe 10hp or more) without the proper permit. And the lakes are safe and enjoyable.<br /><br />They make us get a driver's license to drive a car, they make us go through much more h*ll to get a pilot license. But are they somehow forgetting about boating? How many more boating accidents do they have to see to finally start thinking about safety on the water?<br /><br />I don't mind taking a test (and paying a reasonable fee) to get a boating license. I don't mind being pulled over by a Lake Patrol boat and being tested for alcohol in my breath or having to show my license. I will gladly accept this if it would help eliminate (or at least minimize) the appearance of unsafe boaters on our lakes/waters.<br /><br />What are the steps we could take to help the authorities make our waters safer?<br /><br />Lou

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Boat accident

It was once said that "All men are created equal" Martin Luther King said that, I think. Horse pucky! If we all were created equal, we all would do the same thing, have the same health and all be equally smart or dumb. To me there are two types of people when it comes to operating a motorized vehicle. Those that can operate with instinct without thinking about the operation itself. This gives this person an edge because he can be more defensive in his operating ability.<br /><br />The other type person has to think about what they are doing while they are just operating the vehicle. Then couple that with having to make split second judgement while they are moving, they are going to be the ones that are having the accidents. Then introduce alcohol, drugs, and cell phone to these type people, the statistics will climb.<br /><br />I know people that drink 1 or 2 beers and they are wasted and can't control themselves. Then I know people that can drink a 6 or 12 pack and drive better than the ones that have problems driving sober? We are different and the thinking and logic process makes us who we are. <br />Example: Some people can go throughout life without a single violation or accident and have many times the miles under their belt. Then there are others that have fewer miles with accidents and violations. I feel that stricter licensing and testing of motor skills in the ole thinker can reduce the amount of accidents by preventing those that are incapable of operating motor vehicles safely and responsibly.<br /><br />My thought is this "If you have to think about what to do in a split second judgement call, you have done crashed, tilted, and game over!"