Please Wear Your PFD/PSD

[rondef]

Here is a story from my local newspaper, a local bass fisherman died in a boating accident, neither of the two were wearing PFDs and now one of them is dead. Guys and Girls I can't stress enough how importatnt it is to wear your PFDs. My son and I had a close call last week, thank god we were wearing our PFDs.

By KEITH WALKER

Published: August 25, 2008

Police have identified the 49-year-old Dale City man who died in a boating accident Monday morning, said Officer Erika Hernandez, Prince William police spokeswoman.

Police were called to the scene at about 11 a.m. and recovered the body William K. Wordham, of 13236 Orkin Lane in Dale City, at about 3:15 p.m.

Wordham and and his 15-year-old daughter were boating near Hospital Point on Quantico Creek when the girl, who was operating the 18-foot fishing boat, ran into one of the fenders that surround the pilings of the railroad bridge across the creek, Hernandez said.

Wordham was ejected from the boat upon collision. The girl remained in the boat and was taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Members of the Prince William County Police Department dive team recovered the body, Hernandez said.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the U.S. Coast Guard and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue along with rescue units from Charles County, Md., assisted in the search, Hernandez said.

Wordham and the girl were not wearing flotation devices, Hernandez said.

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is conducting the investigation and has not determined how fast the boat was traveling, Hernandez said.

[MALTESE FALCON]

If I'm by myself in the boat, I'm wearing my vest 100% of the time. If somebody else is in the boat with me I only wear it when the boat is under power.

Falcon

[toolpush]

That's sad. Can you imagine how that girl feels. And yes, I'm almost 100% of the time, even while fishing w/trolling motor.

[fishing for years]

The gentleman in this article is my brother. The article quoted is from an AP first release of information which was not accurate. Apart from his name being incorrect, he was not ejected as a result of the boat striking the pilings. He had already fallen from the boat before that happened. The injuries he sustained in the fall killed him instantly, he did not drown. The use of PFD/PSD had no impact in these events whatsoever. Maybe they should have been wearing them, but that fact that they were did not have an impact on what happened. My family would be very grateful if people would stop quoting that first AP release about this situation, especially since no media source bothered to follow-up on the facts after the first print. Thank you.

[shootermcbob]

very sorry for your loss. I hope your niece gets all the help she needs to deal with this terrible tragedy.

[Lund Explorer]

I'm very sorry for your family's loss as well.

This was a very old post, but even back then, I am sure that the person who started this thread was not trying to blame your brother, or to dminish his loss in any way. As a matter of fact, if you were to search this forum, I am sure you would find other stories such as this, that were only posted for one reason. That reason is to save lives.

I hope that the thought that your brother's accident, regardless of the cause, has been a lesson to others to practice safer boating. Maybe this thought will help you gain some measure of closure.

[Luke at Gouldsboro]

thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

[Captain Obvious]

I lost a very close friend in a similar accident in 2006. The boat tipped over because of the wind. He died from hypothermia and did not drown but he was wearing a PFD.

thoughts and prayers for your family

Capt.O

[Sam]

Do you think the girl had her Virginia Safe Boating course completed so she was legal to operat a watercraft based on her age?

If not, do you think she will be prosecuted for manslaughter?

Prosecuting attornies in NOVA are a tough bunch.

So sorry to hear about the accident and loss of life when it was totally preventable.  :'(

[Sam]

This accident happened in 2008.

Can anyone tell us the outcome of the investigation?

I sincerely hope the young girl is OK and was not charged with any wrong doing.