bowrider death in NH
09-02-2019, 03:31 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
bowrider death in NH
I know bowriders are not the preferred vessel on these pages but this message applies to pretty much all boats.
This past week a young kid in New Hampshire was riding on the bow at speed with her legs over the side. She fell off and was killed.
Back when I first started boating, the Marine Patrol in NH used to stop everyone they saw doing that. I thought it was a little over the top, the kid's just having fun. It didn't take long as time went by that I realized they were doing what needed to be done. The Marine Patrol on Lake Winnipesaukee takes a lot of heat from some boaters up there, but I stand with them when it comes to stopping and writing up boaters dangling their legs or bodies over the side while underway.
I hope the family of that poor kid can eventually take some comfort knowing that their horrible loss might end up making other boaters think twice about doing something that may seem like fun, but can turn into their worst nightmare..
This past week a young kid in New Hampshire was riding on the bow at speed with her legs over the side. She fell off and was killed.
Back when I first started boating, the Marine Patrol in NH used to stop everyone they saw doing that. I thought it was a little over the top, the kid's just having fun. It didn't take long as time went by that I realized they were doing what needed to be done. The Marine Patrol on Lake Winnipesaukee takes a lot of heat from some boaters up there, but I stand with them when it comes to stopping and writing up boaters dangling their legs or bodies over the side while underway.
I hope the family of that poor kid can eventually take some comfort knowing that their horrible loss might end up making other boaters think twice about doing something that may seem like fun, but can turn into their worst nightmare..
Likes:
09-02-2019, 04:00 PM
#2
Member
I agree, I see this too frequently in the Boston harbor cruisers where there are multiple people sitting on the front of the boat with their feet hanging off while the captain is charging through the waves at 30 MPH. Illegal to be on the front of a boat if it is not a walk around I believe. Makes me cringe every time. Ignoring common sense and stupidity makes me sad (in the case of what I see in my harbor, not speaking to the NH incident).
Likes:
09-02-2019, 05:15 PM
#3
Admirals Club
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: The Great Sanctuary State of New Jersey
Posts: 2,657
Received 2,631 Likes
on
1,361 Posts
I agree with you, it’s a terrible loss, but it will not stop people from doing things on their boat that will put them and others in harms way. Sad.
09-02-2019, 06:35 PM
#5
Senior Member
Having spent most of my life with the Coast Guard working in boating safety, i find it astonishing that people still do this. Yet almost every time I go out on a weekend on the lake where I fish, I see at least one boat, sometimes more doing this.(Usually I avoid the lake on the weekends, too many boats.) I can remember being told how dangerous this was way back in the 60's when I was a teenager. Most of our friends had boats, and even a cousin who was a nut behind the wheel in his boat would not let anyone do it. It has been considered negligent operation by the Coast Guard, and illegal in most states as long as I can remember. Yet I think some people get in a boat and just don't think. It's recreation? How can it be dangerous? (sorry for the sarcasm.) Damn shame about the girl. I hope others learn so that her death was not in vain. May God bless her and keep her.
Likes:
Likes:
09-03-2019, 07:41 AM
#9
Admirals Club 
09-03-2019, 01:06 PM
#10
Senior Member
I cringe. We see this all the time. Little kids in life jackets sitting on the bow while dad drives the boat.
09-03-2019, 04:45 PM
#11
I have been a pediatric surgeon on Long Island for 20 years. Every summer we get at least one, many years more, children who sustain horrific injuries or death from falling over the bow. They always hit the prop. Every weekend I see boats on the Great South Bay with little legs dangling over the bow, Hopefully adults will get the message.
Likes:
09-04-2019, 07:47 AM
#12
Senior Member
Passengers should stay inside the boat whenever under way. Few weekends ago we were in an anchorage and an 18 ftr with 8 people on board came slowly through. Most of them were kids. One was hanging off the back and when dad gave it just a little gas to cross ahead of another boat, that kid went lurching off the back. Mom managed to grab him by the life jacket just before he went into the water next to the motor. It was close.
I personally know of two people who have gone into the props. One was lucky as hell and only got a slice across the top of his foot. The other had serious injuries. It happens way too fast.
I personally know of two people who have gone into the props. One was lucky as hell and only got a slice across the top of his foot. The other had serious injuries. It happens way too fast.
09-04-2019, 04:48 PM
#13
Admirals Club
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: The Great Sanctuary State of New Jersey
Posts: 2,657
Received 2,631 Likes
on
1,361 Posts
Originally Posted by NorthShore44
Passengers should stay inside the boat whenever under way. Few weekends ago we were in an anchorage and an 18 ftr with 8 people on board came slowly through. Most of them were kids. One was hanging off the back and when dad gave it just a little gas to cross ahead of another boat, that kid went lurching off the back. Mom managed to grab him by the life jacket just before he went into the water next to the motor. It was close.
I personally know of two people who have gone into the props. One was lucky as hell and only got a slice across the top of his foot. The other had serious injuries. It happens way too fast.
I personally know of two people who have gone into the props. One was lucky as hell and only got a slice across the top of his foot. The other had serious injuries. It happens way too fast.
