Tragic news from the 4th

[QC]

Re: Tragic news from the 4th

From a member on another related thread. This guy has access to inside info:

So sad and preventable. Only a few miles from me. Combination of too many people on the raised bridge, turning sharply above a safe speed, fear from approaching lightening filled squall, excessive boat wakes from fleeing vessels, and unfamiliar operator with a newly purchased vessel all played a part. As written, children are not required to wear pfd while in the cabin in this size vessel. Fairly certain pfd's would not of benefitted these poor kids anyway who were trapped in an overturned and submerged vessel. My sympathy to the families and hope the lessons learned prevent future incidents.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Tragic news from the 4th

I must take issue with the argument about # of people and distractions. While it is possible that having a lot of people on board can contribute to the issue, you cannot condider a boater with a lot of people on board irresponsible or distracted. In fact, if the passengers are aware of how to behave while on board they will have no impact on the driver's attention level. Simply because you see a pontoon boat with 13 people on it means little. Being in an area where crowded waters are the norm I can attest to the fact that it takes only 1 person to distract the driver, especially when the other person is the opoosite sex...

We boat pretty regular at home, probably 12 x a month or more. Anytime we vacation we seem to find our way toward the water one way or other. I agree that the carelessness on the water doesn't always involve too many people.. but it is often a factor. My above example is just the most recent of an accident waiting to happen. I usually notice at least one every time we go out.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: Tragic news from the 4th

27 people aboard a 34' boat? That's not a *little* overloaded. That's at least twice as many people as I'd ever allow on my boat. I think the last time I was on a boat with 27 people it had to be least a 45' boat and I'm sure it felt like a cattle call. Fishing charters with more than 20 anglers get crowded and annoying. I couldn't imagine trying to cram that onto a 34' boat. Most tragedies aren't the result of just one mistake. It's always a combination of factors, but the overloaded boat seems to me it was the biggest problem. Take that factor away and I don't think this accident occurs.

I'm not passing judgement here on the operator. I understand how it happens and I feel empathy for EVERYONE involved. A great day turned to tragedy and I don't think that any ill I would have to say would change anything. As an avid motorcyclist I've always taken pride in learning and gaining experience from every situation and when I'm tempted to allow 8 people on my 24' boat, I'll remember this story, believe me.

 

[Luhrs28]

Re: Tragic news from the 4th

Even allowing for some of them being kids, that's gotta be 4,000 lbs. worth of people. (27 X 150 lbs./person average) There's probably no way to distribute that weight on the hull without screwing up the stability.

The other factor I read in the news stories is that the owner purchased the boat very recently. Did he have any prior large-boat experience? He may not have understood that turning beam-on into a wake could be dangerous.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Tragic news from the 4th

I can't imagine where all of the people aboard were. Being as I own the same year, make and model boat, there is seating on the bridge for 5-6 people. I have had 4 up there, and you actually do feel her react differently. With there being 27 people aboard, I can only imagine how many there were and where they were positioned. I am in the camp that this tragedy would have been avoided had the number of people aboard were cut in half.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Tragic news from the 4th

The info I saw this morning said the boat had made a turn and was caught by the wake of another large vessel. The operator did not have enough life jackets on board for everyone either. So lots of factors to consider. 1) Inexperience with the boat, 2) overloaded, 3) not enough jackets to name just three, 4) navigation error.

 

[acarter92]

Re: Tragic news from the 4th

The info I saw this morning said the boat had made a turn and was caught by the wake of another large vessel. The operator did not have enough life jackets on board for everyone either. So lots of factors to consider. 1) Inexperience with the boat, 2) overloaded, 3) not enough jackets to name just three, 4) navigation error.

Yep, so now we are back to good old common sense, had it been used this accident probably could have been prevented. You don't have to be a genious to operate a boat, and even inexperience can be delt with if you just use your good ole common sense. It always amazes me how many people don't have it (or don't use it) when on the water.

We were on the water last weekend, when one of those big cigarette boats passed a small sailboat that was anchored while he was doing about 50 or 60mph. He couldn't have been more than 20 feet from that boat, there was no way he could have seen anyone swimming at 60mph either. It one thing when your in the channel, but far away from the channel passing an anchored boat at that speed is just dangerous.

Austin

 

[QC]

Re: Tragic news from the 4th

Despite the common sense comment, I know of at least one boater who doesn't posses any motion or mechanical genes. Never should have got a boat, but otherwise a reasonably smart, successful guy. Pretty cruddy car driver too, but he has absolutely no business piloting a boat. He owns one, I consider it my fault he has it. Not sure how we police that, and unless you were actually aboard with him for a test, he could pass any training course. Heck, there's no "behind the wheel" test for a flippin' Captain's license. Not sure what my point is, but there ya go . . .

 

[dingbat]

Re: Tragic news from the 4th

probably worth noting that it is not required for children to wear a PFD if they are in the cabin as well.

Laws vary by States. It's best to check your local regulations before heading out. Locally, anyone 13 years of age or younger is required to wear a life jacket while a vessel is underway and I've seen more than a couple of tickets written at the ramps.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Tragic news from the 4th

I think we have too many laws and regulations and not enough common sense.

 

[pequa1]

Re: Tragic news from the 4th

Laws vary by States. It's best to check your local regulations before heading out. Locally, anyone 13 years of age or younger is required to wear a life jacket while a vessel is underway and I've seen more than a couple of tickets written at the ramps.

unfortunately in Nueva Yawk the children are exempt if they are in an enclosed cabin.