Blogs

Boating Accident News 8/6/2013

By Kristy Moore posted 08-06-2013 11:51 AM

  
08-05-13 OCEAN CITY, MD Two dead in offshore boating accident
Anglers participating in the White Marlin Open were part of a rescue Mon. morning (08-05-13) where 2 boaters died after their boat overturned. Two male passengers, both 55, survived after their 28-ft.  catamaran capsized in rough seas about 32 mi. offshore, according to Petty Officer David Marin with the USCG’s Baltimore public affairs office. The boat was equipped with an outboard motor. The names of the passengers are not being released, and the name of the boat was not available. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. The accident was reported to CG Station Hampton Roads around 9 a.m. by a nearby pleasure craft, the Lori M. Another good Samaritan, identified as the Just Right V, also arrived at the scene to assist. Its crew rescued the 2 survivors, both of whom were not wearing lifejackets.
Just Right V is owned by Kenny Gray, of Wilmington, Del., and is participating in the Ocean City-based White Marlin Open fishing tournament, according to tournament director Jim Motsko. The CG responded by sending 47-ft. motor lifeboat from its Ocean City station, as well as a MH-65 helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City. A CG rescue swimmer from the helicopter went into the water and, with the aid of another Good Samaritan, recovered the 2 unconscious and unresponsive passengers from the overturned hull. The Ocean City VFD had divers called out to the scene, but they did not end up going, according to Fire Chief Chris Larmore. The CG also confirmed that the catamaran crew was not part of any fishing tournament. The surviving passengers and the victims’ remains traveled with both Good Samaritan ships to CG Station Indian River. Read full story here.
 
08-04-13 JEFFERSON COUNTY, WI Body recovered after boating accident A Milwaukee man was found dead after a boat he was on capsized Sun. (08-04-13) in Jefferson Co.
The body of Thomas Latiker, 76, was recovered by the Jefferson Co. Sheriff's Office dive team, according to Sheriff Paul Milbrath. Latiker was reported missing by his brother after the boat the 2 were fishing from capsized in the Crawfish River Sun. morning. Latiker and his brother attempted to cling to the boat and get to the riverbank. Latiker's brother told deputies that as they approached the river's edge, Latiker let go of the boat and floated away.Read full story here.
 
08-03-13 IDAHO FALLS, ID Woman killed in Snake River boating accident identified Bonneville Co. officials have released the name of a 33-y/o Rigby woman who died in a weekend boating accident on the South Fork of the Snake River. The sheriff's office said that Cara Tomita died at the scene of the accident Sat. evening (08-03). Officials say the small aluminum boat struck the edge of the river channel just before 7 p.m. and landed on dry ground. Two men -- Christopher Fife of Idaho Falls and Richard Olaveson -- were taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls for treatment.Read full story here.
 
08-02-13 McINTOSH, SD Authorities Identify Mobridge Man Who Died in Boating Accident in Corson County Over the Weekend A Mobridge man who died in a boating accident Fri. night (08-02) in Corson Co. has been identified by authorities.  Corson Co. Sheriff Keith Gall says the man has been identified as 67-y/o Danilo Figuracion.  Gall says Figuracion was a passenger in a boat operated by 57-y/o William Gant of Mobridge.  The 2 were traveling northbound on the river, in a boat powered by a 75 HP tiller-operated motor.  An investigation shows that something happened while the boat was traveling at around 28 mph, which caused the motor to flip to a 90 degree turn.  The action of the motor caused the 2 men to be thrown from the boat.  Gall says Gant and Figuracion tried to swim to the pillars of the Highway 12 Bridge and that is the last time Figuracion was seen.  The men were not wearing lifejackets.  The unoccupied boat continued spinning in circles.  Unsuccessful attempts were made to stop the boat, until it was decided to just monitor the boat until it ran out of fuel and came to a stop.  Gant was able to swim to one of the bridge pillars where he was rescued by 2 young men who were in the area bow fishing.  Gant was transported to the Mobridge Regional Hosp. and treated for minor injuries.  A search continued throughout the weekend for Figuracion, using methods including patrolling the water, side sonar and a high-tech sonar system operated by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Dept.  On Sun. afternoon (08-04), Gall says a clear image was captured on sonar and divers from the Pierre Dive Rescue Squad were able to successfully retrieve Figuracion’s body in water that measured more than 50 ft. deep.  About 12 different agencies worked over the weekend to look for Figuracion, including the Corson and Walworth Co. Sheriff’s Offices, Mobridge and Selby PDs, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, Standing Rock Game & Fish, Standing Rock BIA Law Enforcement, Mobridge and Standing Rock Ambulance Services and the Pierre FD’s Dive Rescue Team.  An investigation into the incident continues by the Corson Co. Sheriff’s Office and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Dept. Read full story here.
 
08-04-13 NEWBURGH, NY 1 hurt in boating accident on Hudson near Newburgh One person has been hospitalized after a boat crashed into the shore of the Hudson River near Newburgh.
Bear Mountain Park Police said early Sun. (08-04) the person is in stable condition and that the crash remains under investigation. It occurred about a mi. N. of Newburgh. USCG spokesman Erik Swanson said police were searching for the boat’s operator, who may have fled. He said initial reports were of 3 people hurt.Read full story here.
 
08-03-13 BREVARD COUNTY, FL Family rescued after boating incident at Lone Cabbage A Brevard Co. sheriff’s helicopter picked up a mother and children after a boating incident near Lone Cabbage Fish Camp on Sat. afternoon (08-03). Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Deputy Maria Fernez said a wave caused a boat to go down about 3:30 p.m. All people on the boat were wearing lifejackets and none was injured.Read full story here.
 
An 8-y/o Georgia girl vacationing with her family lost a finger July 27 when she jumped from a pontoon boat anchored in near Crab Island. The Florida FWC said the girl caught her right hand on a hinge on the boat’s gate when she jumped into the water. The child was taken by helicopter to Sacred Heart Hosp. in Pensacola. Read full story here.
 
08-05-13 OAKFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI Man in injured in boating accident A 22-y/o man is in critical condition after a boating accident on Wabasis Lake in Oakfield Township Mon. (08-05). According to the Kent Co. Sheriff’s Dept., Jordan Kooienga, 22, was operating a 1995 Sea Doo PWC on Wabasis Lake when he was thrown from it about 12 p.m.  His brother saw it happen, and immediately went to help him. The victim was found floating facedown and was pulled from the water and transported to shore by witnesses. He was treated at the scene by Oakfield Fire and Rescue, and transported to Spectrum Butterworth by ambulance. He is in critical condition. Police said that Kooienga was wearing a lifejacket, and that alcohol was not a factor in the accident. He was treated at the scene by Oakfield Fire and Rescue, and transported to Spectrum Butterworth by ambulance. He is in critical condition. Police said that Kooienga was wearing a lifejacket, and that alcohol was not a factor in the accident. Read full story here.
 
08-01-13 GRANITE COUNTY, MT Man drowns in Georgetown Lake after canoe tips over - Rescue attempt during severe thunderstorm fails Micah Christensen didn’t even notice the booming thunder, the lightning and the driving rain as he and his friends made a desperate attempt to search for a drowning man in Georgetown Lake Thur. (08-01). They pulled the man from the water and immediately started CPR. Unfortunately, they were just too late. Authorities pronounced Julio Letran, 44, of Providence, R.I., dead from drowning after his canoe capsized in the W. end of the lake, according to Granite Co. Sheriff Scott Dunkerson. Letran was in the area visiting relatives when the incident occurred. Witnesses called 911 a few min. before 3 p.m. to report a man had fallen out of his canoe in the Rainbow Bay area about 100-200 yds, from shore. Christensen, 40, and 2 friends were helping out at a nearby youth camp when they noticed something out of place. Christensen said he saw what first appeared to be a man swimming far from shore, but then it appeared the swimmer was having trouble and went under water. Christensen and his friends immediately grabbed a canoe and a pontoon boat and headed to the distressed swimmer. They had difficultly locating him. Minutes continued to roll by as they searched, while a severe thunderstorm pounded overhead. They found Letran several ft. beneath the surface. A man in a motorboat arrived and they lifted Letran into that boat. All the way to shore, Christensen said they tried to resuscitate Letran. Sheriff Dunkerson and other emergency responders were at the scene by the time they got the victim to shore. Emergency responders also tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate Letran. Letran wasn’t wearing a lifejacket. Read full story here.
 
08-04-13 COHASSET, MA Rescue off Cohasset saves 14 people, including baby, from sinking boat  The USCG and 3 harbormaster boats rescued 4 adults and 10 children, including a 4-mo/o baby, when their boat began sinking Sun. (08-04) near the Grampuses, a group of rocks roughly a mi. off Cohasset. Cohasset sent 2 boats to the scene, with the Scituate harbormaster and the CG sending boats shortly afterward, according to Cohasset officials. All 14 people got off the boat safely, with no injuries reported. The boat, a 20-ft. privately owned vessel, was refloated and towed to Bassing Beach. No charges were filed against the operator of the boat. “Cohasset is a very rocky coast with lots of ledges around it,” said Lorren Gibbons, Cohasset harbormaster. “That’s why we have the lighthouse.” Read full story here.
 
08-05-13 GRAYS HARBOR, WA Nearby boat rescues 4 from water near Grays Harbor The USCG dispatched a helicopter and a boat after learning of a mayday call about 4 people in the water about 12 mi. W. of Grays Harbor but a passing boat managed to rescue all 4. The 4 were taken aboard the vessel Carmelita on Mon. (08-05). All had been wearing lifejackets. It was not known how they ended up in the water. CG Petty Officer Zac Crawford in Seattle says his agency sent the helicopter and boat but "it was all taken care off" so they returned to their stations. Read full story here.
 
08-04-13 ST. LUCIE INLET, FL Man rescued by Good Samaritan after boat catches fire Robert Levy, takes his boat, "Transition," out several times a week, many times with his wife onboard. He's had the boat for 18 yrs. Sun. (08-04), the 79-y/o said he was thankful he was alone on the boat.  A fuel leak caused a fire about 9 mi. off the St. Lucie inlet. "When it first started it was a tremendous amount of smoke and I couldn't stay in the cabin to get to a fire extinguisher or radio," said Levy. He grabbed a lifejacket. In the meantime, another boater and his family saw the smoke. "We gunned it and by the time we got over there it was fully engulfed in flames," said Robin Martin.
Martin circled the boat, worried it could explode, but yelled for Levy to jump. "I had to swing around and get the boat as close as I could to him, without getting too close to the boat that was on fire," said Martin.
"I jumped off the stair into the water and then he picked me up," said Levy. He was safe in Martin's boat by the time rescue crews arrived. The boat burned to the water line and sank. USCG Station Ft. Pierce says CG Sector Miami will be investigating the fire.Read full story here.
 
08-01-13 ANCHORAGE, AK Wash. man sole survivor of boat sinking in Alaska After overshooting their destination on SE Alaska's Baranof Island, 3 high school friends in the borrowed aluminum fishing boat turned around and realized they were facing strong winds and big waves. They gunned it for shore — to no avail. The water swamped the 24-ft. vessel in a harrowing ordeal that apparently left just one of them alive. Dennis Monroe, 46, and Fred Swenson, both of Montesano, Wash., were on a fishing and camping trip with John Reid of Sitka, Alaska, Thur. evening (08-01). They had planned to meet up with 3 other men about 15 mi. from Sitka, on their way to Baranof Island's southern tip. They missed the rendezvous spot, said Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen, and when they aimed for shore the boat swamped 200 yds. out. The 3, all wearing lifejackets, managed to climb into a small raft, but the waves tossed them out. Monroe and Swenson made it to a rock about halfway to land, where they could see Reid struggling in the water before being swept out of sight. The rising tide forced them from the rock, and only Monroe made it to shore. Monroe spent a cold night clad only in a tank top, jeans, and his life jacket. The next day, he found a reflective fishing lure and used it to signal for help; he was ultimately picked up by a fishing boat, the Otter, and driven back to Sitka. The USCG, Canadian officials and volunteer boats searched for the remaining 2 friends. One fishing boat aiding in the search Sat. (08-03) found Reid's body, which was retrieved by a CG helicopter, but searchers were unable to find Swenson before calling off the mission Sat. night.Read full story here.
 
08-03-13 LAKE ALLATOONA, GA Two men seriously injured in Lake Allatoona boat crash Two men were seriously injured after a boat crashed into the shore and some trees on Lake Allatoona on Sat. evening (08-03). The Georgia DNR responded to an emergency call at 7:38 p.m. that a person was trapped inside a boat that was sinking after it crashed into a 15-ft.-tall bank W. of Little River Marina, according to DNR spokesman Sgt. Mike Barr. DNR, Cherokee Co. Fire&Rescue and the Cherokee Co. Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash and found 2 badly injured men in the 18-ft. boat. Rescuers had to cut one man free from the driver’s side of the boat. Barr said the boat’s throttle was found in the “full forward” position, meaning that the boat must have been at full power when it hit the bank.
The 2 injured men were taken to WellStar Kennestone Hosp. with serious injuries, but both are expected to live. Blood alcohol tests are still pending and that the investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. Read full story here.
 
08-05-13 ST. LOUIS, MO Passengers rescued from sinking boat on Mississippi River Emergency crews were called in to rescue a sinking boat on the Mississippi River Mon. afternoon (08-05). St. Louis City FD confirms a call came out around 3 p.m. for a report of a sinking pontoon boat on the Mississippi River near the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Emergency crews were able to pull the sinking boat and its 4 occupants to the river's edge without incident. At the time of the rescue all passengers on board had life vests on. No injuries were reported. Further details into what caused the incident were not immediately known. Read full story here.
 
08-03-13 JEROME COUNTY, ID Snake River Boat Rescue Young adults cavorting on the Snake River encountered rough rapids and needed a rescue Sat. afternoon (08-03), said Jerome Co. Sheriff Doug McFall. Deputies got the call that some barefoot people were river rafting or tubing when they got stranded in the canyon between Yingst Road and the Blue Lakes Country Club, McFall said. Emergency responders — paramedics, rural firefighters and search and rescue personnel — all responded and rescued them. Air St. Luke's was called but didn't end up transporting anyone. One woman sustained minor injuries, and an ambulance took her to a hosp. Read full story here.
 
Deputies from the Lubbock Co. Sheriff's office say they have recovered the body of 73-y/o Wayne Teal from a fishing pond where a small boat overturned on Mon. afternoon (08-05). The pond is on private property near the intersection of FM 1729 and N. Frankford. Teal farmed land in the area and had built the pond on his property. Deputies say a relative called 911 around 2 p.m. on Mon. afternoon. When authorities arrived, they found Teal's small fishing boat overturned. Numerous units responded and LSO's mobile command unit was set up. LSO's dive team finally located Teal's body around 5:45 p.m. Investigators aren't exactly sure what led up to the boat capsizing, but they believe a medical issue could have been a factor. LSO says foul play has been ruled out at this time.Read full story here.

AURORA, IL Measure to Crack Down on Drunk Boating Now Law A measure backed by state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Aurora, to make Illinois’ waterways and lakes safer by bringing the penalties for drunk boating in line with drunk driving is now law. “Recreational boating is a popular activity and a relaxing way to connect with friends and neighbors, and this measure will give people peace of mind by improving safety on Illinois waters,” Kifowit said. “Strengthening penalties for operating a boat while intoxicated is the right thing to do to help prevent future accidents and deaths.”
Senate Bill 1479 requires the operator of a boat involved in an accident which results in the injury or death of another person to submit to chemical testing to determine if they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, in the same manner as drivers must comply with drug and alcohol testing during traffic stops. Boat operators who refuse to submit to testing, register a blood alcohol content over .08, or test positive for drugs may have their driver’s license suspended and boating privileges revoked. According to statistics compiled by the IllinoisDNR , there were 101 boating-related accidents on Illinois waters, resulting in 17 deaths and 77 injuries, in 2012. The bill received unanimous support in both the House and the Senate, and was recently signed into law by the governor. The law takes effect on January 1, 2014.


#thunderstorm #Injury #NewYork #Fishing #drunk boating #drowning #Capsizing #Georgia #family #BUI #Missouri #sinking #offshore #Accidentvictims #Washington(State) #Idaho #Illinois #crash #Montana #Florida #Maritimelaw #Searchandrescueoperations #Massachusetts #Wisconsin #SouthDakota #Death #Maryland #Texas #Fires #Alaska #Canoe
#Boatingwhileintoxicated
#BoatingaccidentsX
#Drowning
#Drowningvictims
#Woundsandinjuries
#Fishers
#Storms
0 comments
202 views