Fatal boat crash - Lake Murray

[gim]

I don't know if this has been posted anywhere else yet.  A Kentucky student has died after a fatal boat between two participants in the Bassmaster College Series event there on Tuesday.

 

https://newschannel9.com/sports/outdoors/kentucky-college-angler-dies-following-boat-crash-in-bass-event

[TnRiver46]

Yes I heard about this, it was dense fog on a practice day from what I understand. Prayers to the families involved . I heard a striper guide was the first onto the scene when he heard the collision 

[Skunkmaster-k]

Tragic. 

[Choporoz]

A college coach was asked how to prevent such a tragedy.... his response... '**** happens'

😡

 

Maybe sending 500 kids out into the fog, with 250HP strapped on and little limitation and direction isn't a real great idea?

[A-Jay]

9 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

A college coach was asked how to prevent such a tragedy.... his response... '**** happens'

😡

 

Maybe sending 500 kids out into the fog, with 250HP strapped on and little limitation and direction isn't a real great idea?

Super sad deal.

Always is.

Wonder where these kids could learn such behavior ?

Stay Safe

A-Jay

[Choporoz]

Just now saw this.....  now I'm even more ticked

 

"two boats were headed towards each other, but couldn’t see each other in the fog until it was too late. As soon as they could, they both corrected the same direction"

 

I'd love for the coach referenced above to explain how just a tiny bit of rules of the road training wouldn't have avoided this

[InfantryMP]

This is unfortunate for sure. The coach that they interviewed seems a bit insensitive to the situation. I would not be surprised if he gets some unwanted attention from the University and the community for that, "accidents happen" quote.

[TnRiver46]

Getting mad ain’t gonna help, imagine how his mom feels. If somebody sent me out into the fog with a 250 horsepower I would idle 

[Choporoz]

1 minute ago, TnRiver46 said:

Getting mad ain’t gonna help, imagine how his mom feels. If somebody sent me out into the fog with a 250 horsepower I would idle 

I'm not so sure....enough people get mad at the organization,  the coaches, the schools.... just maybe steps would be taken to keep these kids a bit safer

[TnRiver46]

They’ve had a boat full of high schoolers and an adult go over a 100 ft tall concrete dam and drown , you gotta use your head to drive a boat 

@A-Jay is 100% correct as always when it comes to boating safety. I have to drive around all day and half the night and the things you see on the road are absolutely shocking, especially from Nissan Altimas and big diesel trucks . It’s not surprising people drive boats the same way 

[Logan S]

HS and college fishing is out of control.  I have a ton I could say on the subject but don't really want to come off as unsympathetic to the young man that lost his life.  I think most of us bass fisherman can admit to running in the fog in our past - I have.  But we've also learned our lesson (hopefully) and realized how dangerous it is...I'd rather see a culture of passing those lessons down to younger anglers instead of the, "well I did it too so I can't fault em," approach.  I read the coach's statement too, its an awful look for the sport.

 

I've seen people wanting boat size or HP limitations, but that misses the mark in most of these scenarios.  Although IMO high school angling being done of kayaks instead of boats makes a TON more sense than the current method, tons of people will hate that idea though....But from a development, competitive, logistical, and financial standpoint I can't see how it's not the best way.  

 

 

[A-Jay]

20 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Just now saw this.....  now I'm even more ticked

 

"two boats were headed towards each other, but couldn’t see each other in the fog until it was too late. As soon as they could, they both corrected the same direction"

 

I'd love for the coach referenced above to explain how just a tiny bit of rules of the road training wouldn't have avoided this

[TnRiver46]

@Logan S, kayak tourneys aren’t immune to drownings 

[A-Jay]

This will never stop happening.

Ever.

What might be even more shocking is that now folks are letting vehicles drive themselves. 

 #handsfree

I Just don't get it.

A-Jay

 

 

[TnRiver46]

^yep, that’s why the “accidents happen “ phrase doesn’t bother me. It’s very true 

[Logan S]

6 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

@Logan S, kayak tourneys aren’t immune to drownings 

It's not just the safety thing, though that's a big part.  It would also put more emphasis on individual angler development.  It also wouldn't exclude HS kids that aren't fortunate enough to have access to a boat.  It also wouldn't require a 'captain' to be involved in the entire day on the water.  

 

Accidents happen, no argument there.  There are many accidents that seem to be realistically preventable though...Either through format changes, better 'coaching', or what have you.  The industry can do better for these young anglers if it tried...But as of now, it's not.  

 

 

[Choporoz]

Idk....of course accidents happen...  but if the guy who turned left had sufficient training, instruction,  guidance.... this accident wouldn't have happened

[gim]

12 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Idk....of course accidents happen...  but if the guy who turned left had sufficient training, instruction,  guidance.... this accident wouldn't have happened

 

Well maybe if its that foggy out, reduce your speed too.  Let's not be hauling ass down the lake when you can't see far enough ahead to adequately react.  I think the "who turned left/right" is the rule of the water as long as you can visually see properly out there.

[TnRiver46]

That’s what I was thinking, don’t go fast if you can’t see, then you won’t have to whip the wheel being right next to another boat. GPS makes you think you can still do it, but it doesn’t account for boats or floating logs 

 

@Logan S, they def have too many boats at the high school and college level, 500 is crazy 

[A-Jay]

When it comes to Navigational rules on inland, in shore water ways & rivers and even the open ocean, So few recreational boat operators know the rules, few obeys the rules, few teach the right rules and rarely are the rules enforced, unless someone dies. 

Some do not even know that there ARE Actual "Rules". 

So it's a total free for all.

Doesn't mean I don't encourage folks to know them, because we really should.

But that's a really vicious cycle to try and break, regardless of lives lost.

I Personally, I expect EVERY MOTOR VESSEL,I encounter on the water to run me down.

Accordingly I never give them the chance.

But that's my deal.

 

For those who are actually interested - THIS is where the actual 'rules of the road', on the water come from. 

 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1510764542/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

 

Navigation Rules and Regulations fulfills the legal requirement to have a copy of these guidelines on your vessel at all times. Updated to accommodate the most recent changes to marine law and standard operating procedure, this handbook provides the Coast Guard's official rules for operating your boat in international and domestic waters. It will serve as a complete reference for:

Steering and sailing in all levels of visibility, including how to avoid collisions

Conduct when another boat is in sight, including navigating in head-on and crossing situations

Requirements for flags, shapes, and lights, and how to identify other vessels

Sending and receiving sound and light signals from other ships, such as distress signals

The Inland General Rules included in this handbook require that "the operator of each self-propelled vessel 12 meters or more in length shall carry, on board and maintain for ready reference, a copy of these Rules." Operate your vessel safely and legally with the latest Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook.

 

My career my job description required this entire publication be MEMORIZED.

Every 'boat captain' also must know this and it's part of any USCG certification exam. 

Problem is if NO One else knows, follows or enforces this stuff, it's almost useless. 

You can be certain that EVERY  marine insurance company know the rules, especially when 'liability' is being assessed.

https://youtu.be/S_Owp6ZVN0U?feature=shared&t=79

Stay Safe

A-Jay

[gim]

18 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Problem is if NO One else knows, follows or enforces this stuff, it's almost useless. 

 

I'd honestly venture to say that most boaters don't know most of it.

[A-Jay]

15 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

I'd honestly venture to say that most boaters don't know most of it.

And somehow, percentage wise, very few folks are actually killed.

Either way, regardless of the level of visibility, proximity of other boating traffic and even amount of on the water experience, best plan may be to operate at the exact speed we want to be traveling, when we hit something.

#nobrakes

A-Jay

[Koz]

Another reason why power boating schools and a watercraft license should be required.

[Log Catcher]

I would like to know why the tournament directors didn't make them wait for safer conditions before letting them fish. If they had adult captains with them they should have made them slow down.

[Susky River Rat]

One of the most scared I’ve ever been was anchored down in fog catfishing with a buddy and hearing boats throttling down around us. Fog to me is one of the most dangerous conditions. Even if you are being safe it doesn’t mean the other people are. 
 

I just wish people wouldn’t think taking excessive risk to catch fish is worth it even in tournaments.