On the Rocks! Bad Night in Lake Erie!

V

Valkyrie

New member
Joined
Jan 9, 2005
Messages
1,028
Reaction score
0
C Dory Model
25 Cruiser
Vessel Name
Valkyrie II
Pictures posted in our album.

No, it didn't happen to us or any other C-Dory!

In August, Marcia and I were headed out for a day of walleye fishing and saw the barge and crane heading for Mouse Island, which is only a few hundred yards off the south shore of Lake Erie, in the western basin.

We headed over to investigate and saw what I have been told is a Tiara 41 (I'm not sure) that had gone on the rocks a few nights before under clear calm conditions.

The stories and rumors vary, but most seem to involve drinking, but that is unclear because supposedly the accident wasn't reported until the next day. However, all stories indicate that the boat was on autopilot and no one seemed to notice a relatively large obstruction in the way - Mouse Island!

Actually, it could have been worse, the boat ran between two large rock formations.

Once again, all of this is rumor. The insurance claim must be interesting though.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
damn, is that one of those boats that converts into a tree house? Did they give the auto pilot a breathalizer test?
One day, on the way home from work, I saw a big fancy boat teetering on top of a wing dam piling as the tide was going out. The boat must have been about two foot above the water........what is it about other peoples misfortune that's so durn entertaining?
 
Interesting that someone had covered the boat's name with cardboard and duct tape! This type of thing happens surprisingly often....We saw it in S. Calif at least once a year--either hitting a beach, breakwater or Catalina Island!
 
Bob,

Your comment on breakwalls reminds me of an accident that happened about 20 years ago, also on Lake Erie.

Two guys, both plastered, hit the breakwall off Vermillion, Ohio going over 50 at Oh-dark-thirty. They were killed, but the girlfriend of one was sleeping in the v-berth and wound up as a quadriplegic.

Her family sued the boat manufacturer because it wasn't "crashworthy".

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Interesting that someone had covered the boat's name with cardboard and duct tape!
Click to expand...

that's why I always carry duct tape
 
We used to sit around on Friday nights and think up ridiculous off-color and otherwise ludicrous names. Had so many we thought of having a small chalkboard on the transom to have a "name of the week".

Could have come in handy in this situation. Could be done today with an LED signboard and moving messages. Unlimited opportunities to let others know you have no class!

Joe.
 
Zoom in on the pic.... down to the bottom left corner. Guy in white T-Shirt, holding his head with one hand, and looks to be holding the cell phone up on his other ear... I can just hear that conversation...

"Do not worry Dad.... I got'r docked up nice and snug out of the wind and chop before the storm hit....."

On_the_Rocks_2.jpg
 
One of the worst of irresponsible law suits was when a 25 some foot boat was running at planing speed inside of Anaheim landing (Navy Ammo loading facility one has to transverse to get into Huntington Harbor CA). As I recollect 5 were killed and the relitatives sued the US Government for an unlit restricted area marker out of the channel which the boat hit. The tragedy is that inocent people are injured and killed by these irresponsiable boaters. Hopefully no one was injured or killed in this accident. Occasionally it is an honest navigational error.
I once saw a 60 foot wooden boat run right accross a submerged reef and tear all of the running gear out of the boat. Fortunately a bunch of the yachtee's who were in the harbor (and were waving arms and yelling before the boat hit) jumped into the dinghies and got the boat onto the beach before she sank. This was when the CG did salvage--came along with a large cutter and a smaller utility boat--put a plywood patch on the bottom and towed the boat back to a haul out facility all within a few hours.
 
"Jeff Nehls, area supervisor for the division's Sandusky office, said Mr. Brown refused to take a test to determine his blood-alcohol level and was charged with one misdemeanor count of operating a boat while intoxicated, reckless operation, violating rules for an improper lookout, and safe speed.

The cabin cruiser apparently bounced off a large wave about 11:46 p.m. and slid up the beach, where it lodged in the trees. He estimated its speed between 20 and 30 miles an hour at the time."
 
Back
Top