Tangled Up on the Chesaeake!

J

jer2

Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
40
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C Dory Year
2008
C Dory Model
16 Cruiser
Hull Identification Number
CDO16698F708
Vessel Name
R&R
It is truly amazing that neither boat sunk nor that anyone was killed or badly injured. Certainly the power boat was not paying attention or was on auto pilot. Perhaps even more negligent because the "charter boat" would have a coast guard licensed skipper. IF the sailboat was under power and no day shape displayed (upside down cone), there could be partial assessment of fault.

I would considered the sailboat "totaled", despite not sinking.
 
The same thing happened to me in Hampton Roads, Virginia. The boat driver said that he was day dreaming, it was a clear day and he was in the middle of the river, about a 1/4 mile outside of the channel.
The court let him walk (with court cost) and only advised him to take a boating safety class and to have insurance for his boat (neither were a legal requirement when this occurred). The judge was unaware of state or federal laws and had I not had a copy of the USCG nav rules and regs, the judge would have been totally clueless as to to to maritime navigation (his comment was that he only thought that it was here-say that sailboats had the right away...).
The center, back of my lifejacket took the full blow of the V of the bottom of the boat and when I went below the surface as my sailboat was crushed, it saved me by putting me on the surface right away.
The short story is that there are numerous boats moving about daily, with skippers that ARE NOT paying attention, or fully comprehend the requirement to boat safely, according to both state and federal rules and regulations (and common sense)...
 
Based on the size of that dent in the Sailboat I don't think the Charter boat was trolling. Complacency and distraction are two major causes of accidents.
 
I've heard say that there are more than a few of the boats headed to Catalina for the weekend or whatever, that have the skipper and crew down below either dillying or dallying, or both, while on auto pilot on their journey.

Talk about inattention, or attention to the other intention!

Human nature attends to human nature..... until.....Boom! :smileo

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
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