Click for Abeking Click for Mulder Click for Glendinning Click for Perko Click for YF Listing Service

Serious Boat Accident in Ontario, Canada

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Rodger, Sep 25, 2019.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. Rodger, Sep 25, 2019
    #1
    Rodger

    Rodger Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2005
    Messages:
    832
    Location:
    St.Catharines
  2. olderboater, Sep 25, 2019
    #2
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Yes it will be and where they say both operators were charged, for Ruh it's just a ticket basically, pay a fine and gone. For O'Leary it's a criminal offense. Both will end up sharing some fault but by the charges made it appears the investigators assigned far more to her.

    Normally, it would be a plea agreement, fine, no jail and done. However, there are the civil cases to come which make fighting the criminal charge far more important. Clearly, we don't know what the investigators found or what led to their charges.
  3. Pascal, Sep 25, 2019
    #3
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,166
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    I am sick and tired of idiots on the water at night missing one or more nav lights. Here in Miami, about 50% of the boats we see at night are missing at least one light, usually the most important one: the stern light

    Everytime i encounter one I do a securite call on 16.

    I ve Lost count of the times I have come upon a small boat that was almost invisible. That’s why I almost never run on plane at night, at least on Biscayne Bay, even with radar and FLIR on a full size monitor

    Other reports on this accident state that the operator of the vessel charged with hitting the unlit boat was running at 17MPH which in my opinion shows she was exercising caution since these ski boats usually run much faster.

    The charges don’t make a lot of sense, apparently she is some kind of celebrity (never heard of them though) so this may be just an overzealous prosecutor trying to get his 15 minutes of fame.
  4. MBevins, Sep 25, 2019
    #4
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2008
    Messages:
    1,172
    Location:
    Windsor On. Canada
    I'm very familiar with the area.
    Running at night on Lk Joe and Rosseau is like going to dinner in the convertible.
    Every few years someone screws up and crap happens. This time it's a celebrity so let the games begin.
  5. olderboater, Sep 25, 2019
    #5
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    The 17 mph number is not one I've seen in the most credible reports as very little information is disclosed. I don't think this has anything to do with celebrity, but a lot to do with two deaths and other injuries. I haven't seen any solid data about the boats or where the deceased was sitting although saw one that said the man was "sitting on the bow." I'll be surprised if the speed wasn't above 17 mph based on the results including the operator's injury.
  6. Capt J, Sep 25, 2019
    #6
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,435
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    A lot of holes in the story. The boat without navigational lights should be at fault from the sounds of it. Both boats fleeing the scene, I guess this might make sense if there's a close by dock you can go to and then call authorities, but sounds suspicious also.

    Pascal- Kevin O'Leary is one of the stars on the long running TV show "Shark Tank"
  7. timvail, Sep 26, 2019
    #7
    timvail

    timvail Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2010
    Messages:
    136
    Location:
    georgian bay penetanguishene
    I have been in this area frequently and quite familiar with it. I have also worked in my past career as part of a marine unit responsible for enforcement/ investigations etc. From what I know the charges are appropriate in this matter. Federal regulations govern the safe operation of vessels on the water. Nav lights on half hour before sunset, proper lookout while moving etc. etc. I would agree with Pascal that moving through water at night has its own challenges. Even with the use of infrared night vision slow speed is always the safest way to go. As was said to me many years ago. There are old pilots and bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots. Certainly applicable in this or similar situation. My humble 2 cents worth.
  8. chesapeake46, Sep 26, 2019
    #8
    chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2009
    Messages:
    1,783
    Location:
    Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay & S.Jersey
    People on both boats have were injured and two, severely injured.
    " Fleeing the scene " or racing to get help & get the injured to shore.
  9. Oscarvan, Sep 26, 2019
    #9
    Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2015
    Messages:
    969
    Location:
    Chesapeake Bay
    The "Done looking at fireworks" scenario strikes again.