boating accident

[jim rosenthal]

"MIAMI — A boat collision off the Florida Keys has left one woman dead and injured another.

The Coast Guard said in a news release that a 44-foot Catamaran and 55-foot sport-fishing boat collided Thursday afternoon near Mud Key, ejecting both women from the sailboat into the water.

The women were brought by helicopter to Lower Keys Medical Center in Key West. One was declared dead and the other was reported in stable condition. The Coast Guard did not release their names, ages or hometowns.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the collision."

This was on the NYTimes web site this evening. Anyone know anything about it? Very sad indeed.

 

[Pascal]

I saw the report on the CG site yesterday, little information so far

Things are out of control in so fl, we ve has a dozen death in the past few months and very little is being done. FWC (the agency in charge of boating safety and regs) doesn't do anything and its patrol boAts do not even monitor ch 16.

This was a daytime collision but there has been a number of night time accidents. We spend a lot of time on the water at night whether sailing or running charters and on an average night about half of the boats I see under 50 have at least one missing nav light, most often the stern or all around which means boats are often invisible when approached from behind. Of course, since these idiots usually doth know how to dim their plotters, you can often spot them

Nobody cares about lights and safety, come sundown cops head back home to watch tv...

 

[rsmith]

I seem to remember a recent thread where someone was chastised for recommending an extra set of eyes and hands on board. Collisions are always the result of failure to maintain a proper lookout.

 

[Freestyle]

The deceased and her husband were my former law partners. I was in a partnership on my first power boat with them. They are very experienced boaters and divers in their mid-60's.

They were at anchor and the husband was diving. The deceased was thrown from the boat upon collision. She died in her husband's arms while in the water waiting for a helicopter.

The boat that killed her was on autopilot.

Bruce

Freestyle
1985 67 CPMY
Tampa

 

[drburke]

Very sorry to hear that, Bruce.

DAN

 

[capttonyf]

I seem to remember a recent thread where someone was chastised for recommending an extra set of eyes and hands on board. Collisions are always the result of failure to maintain a proper lookout.

I seem to remember that, it was dealing with looking for a delivery Captain. I was one of a few people who said I would Never Travel or Deliver a boat withOUT a 2nd hand on board. I very very seldom even move a boat without an extra hand, even an inexpierienced person can be a big help if there's a problem. I especially NEVER travel at night alone. This is very unfortunate, but accidents happen and every set of eyes on a boat helps. Even if this travelling boat had 10 sets maybe the 11th would have seen the anchored boat.

Tony.

 

[capttonyf]

Not to change the subject but has anyone ever heard any more on the Hatteras 50C that was cut in half about a year ago? It was on it's way to Mexico and they only found the deck and part of the house.

Tony

 

[Dan Mapes]

Bruce this is a horrible and insulting way to lose a close friend. My thoughts are with all of you folks. We've been hit by an express cruiser, and run off the water in a couple of other cases. While I know how it feels, I could never imagine or approach the level being endured here. God Bless.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Our condolences, Bruce. This is awful. I had no idea these were friends of yours when I started the thread.

 

[Vincentc]

The deceased and her husband were my former law partners. I was in a partnership on my first power boat with them. They are very experienced boaters and divers in their mid-60's.

They were at anchor and the husband was diving. The deceased was thrown from the boat upon collision. She died in her husband's arms while in the water waiting for a helicopter.

The boat that killed her was on autopilot.

Bruce

Freestyle
1985 67 CPMY
Tampa

Bruce, My condolence for your loss. Difficult not to be angry and wish significant negative consequences for the person who put the boat on autopilot without a lookout, and caused such tragic results.

 

[Freeebird]

Bruce, I too would like to offer my condolences on the loss of your friends. Not that it changes anything, but I hope the responsible parties are held accountable in a very public way as to possibly prevent further needless tragedies.

 

[rsmith]

Too much over dependence on electronics today. I remember a big sea Ray ran a runabout down off Jersey a few years ago. I think the owner did jail time.

 

[Avenger]

Unfortunately as much as we prepare and take precautions there's the ever present risk of "the other guy" that is out of our control.

Bruce, my sincere condolences to you and the family. What a horror to have to deal with. Hopefully justice will be served.

 

[Pascal]

And yet another death on the water this week end in SoFL... Guy driving a small jet boat hit a bulkhead at high speed at pelican harbor marina in no Miami beac, tearing off have the side of the boat. Ended up ejected and dead.

In broad daylight.

 

[Freeebird]

Jet boats are extremely dangerous for inexperienced operators who panic and let off the throttle when they should accelerate and turn to get out of a bad situation. I'd bet that's what happened in this case. No thrust = no steering = dead operator. Another senseless tragedy.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I'm not saying this was the case here(since this was a daytime accident), but I see so many sailboats at anchor with only a very dim LED temporarily hauled up the mast. It seems that they don't want to expend any battery power to have a light that meets regs.

 

[Pascal]

It's not just the sailboats. I have seen many boats where the builder sets the anchor light on a hard top with a short stick, maybe 6" and then some installer goes and install a radar or sat dish that obscures the light.

Came upon a 30ish center console last night that was in front of us underway with no white light... Luckily the guy had his plotter on full bright so he was easy to spot... And blind as a bat since his night vision was toast... He made a turn and his white light appear from behind the radar.

 

[hatteras 1985]

Sad story. That part of the Keys has very little boat traffic, it is kind of like no man's land. I would be curious to know more details about the accident.

 

[Vincentc]

Both the inland and international rules require:

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.

It appears that criminal prosecution is appropriate.

 

[rsmith]

Ok so back to the "how many crew members does it take to properly run a vessel." Question. Think about facing a procecuter after an accident and explain how 2 non professionals can safely run a 70' boat.