*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Also equally as unlikely is that a group of senior citizens would (or could) rock the boat enough to tip it over. I would not at all be surprised if it were caused from the wake of another boat.
I was out this weekend and in the trip to/from my boat in the dingy, I had three boats blow by me (about 20 mph) within 20' without any regard of their wake. I'm tempted to bring my flare gun as a means of educating these idiots, but then I'd be lowering myself to their level.
If it was indeed caused by another boat, I hope they catch the party responsible.
Apparently, a larger tour boat set up a good size wake; to avoid the second wake (hitting the boat) people ruhed to the other side; over she went. Forty nine people on a 40' boat! A perfect Fall day up here, too. Very Sad.
__________________
Boston Whaler, "MUMBLER", 24 Outrage, twin 175 HP Evinrude Ocean Pros
As an operator of a small tour/charter boat this accident got my imediate interest. Mine is a 32' X 10'6" hard chined Chesapeake deadrise workboat hull. I am licensed for 20. I discourage those who 'pack' the boat in order to get the per head cost down. I start whining at 12 & get really forceful if they want to go over 15 or 16. Just too many people.
This boat appears to have a NE lobsterboat hull which means it is most likely soft chined & more tender than a hard chined boat of similar length. I can't imagine putting 40 let alone it's licensed capacity of 50 onboard. We have a similar length & shape boat here. It's capacity is 30.
Getting non boat savy passengers to understand the need to balance the boat is difficult. My biggest problem is on days when I have to travel in a beam sea. Everyone want to sit on the lee side which just makes the boat roll more because we are not balanced. Big wake from other boats is not a problem. Temporarily change course & take the wake at the best angle possible.
Senior citizens, several with walkers & wheelchairs. Why didn't they put PFD's on em before they left the dock?
I also read that the captain was the only crew member aboard. How could one guy manage 40 pax?
Even on a flat day you have to think about the worst case scenario.
Dealing with 40 passengers is no problem. The boat leaves the dock with the assistance of dockhands, does it's hour or two tour non stop, & returns to the dock. It is not like the skipper has to prep them & supervise them for snorkeling. Unless something goes wrong there is no anchoring to worry with. It is operated in an enclosed body of water. What is the crew member going to do? We don't have a second crew member on 40 plus passenger buses.
There is no way a boat wake should be able to overturn a 40' tour boat on an inland lake on a nice day. I doubt there were passing supertankers on that lake.
There is more to this story somewhere. Perhaps the tour boat was improperly modified? Perhaps it had taken on water from something leaking?
The latest is that as the wake hit, the passengers actually slid across slick seats...all to one side and over the boat went. If you can believe it; they are not sure where the wake came from. Another story is that as the Captain turned into the wake, causing the passengers slide to one side. More to follow. Looks like the "Perfect Storm" of a boat accident. A lot of things came together, perfectly.
__________________
Boston Whaler, "MUMBLER", 24 Outrage, twin 175 HP Evinrude Ocean Pros
Latest I read is that they had plastic bench seats that were not bolted to the deck. So when the Captain turned the boat to ride/dodge the passing wake, seats and passengers ended up on one side of the boat tipping it over.
Seacat, you obviously have not had the stress of carrying a heavy living load on a boat such as the Ethan Allen. Carrying 'boatin' people is easy. They are looking around, aware of each other, aware of the water around them & able to anticipate what movement they may need to do if the boat rolls.
Those who have never ridden on anything smaller than a cruise ship don't have a clue.
To say that a heavily loaded, but not overloaded according to it's license, 40' boat should not be able to turn over on an inland lake is nonsense. There is no way such a boat is going to remain upright when weight amounting to 33% of it's deadweight is on one side of it's keel, even in calm water, with nobody moving.
This boat had moving weight that had little ability or knowledge to help itself all on the move in a large swell. It does not matter whether that swell was wind generated or produced by another boat or combination of boats. The result is the same.
In just a few seconds over she went. A few seconds onboard a boat that is rapidly rolling on it's side is no time to put on a PFD, even if you know where it is & how to put it on.
Apparently the boat should have had another crew member. It is highly doubtful that the crew member could have done anything to change the outcome of this accident. What is he/she supposed to do in a few seconds? It is nice to have the luxury of 48hrs after the sinking sitting at our keyboards saying 'could have' or 'should have'.
How many of us have been in potentially hazardous situations responsible for the lives of unknowing passengers?
This will come down to human error. The question will be which humans & portion of cause?
THT sponsor
boating accident 
