A jet boat named "Stimulus Check" filled with 13 persons capsizes in the Hudson River, killing 2 ...
- Thread starter Scott T-Bird
- Start date
A child is dead and you make a joke. Seriously, there isn't even an explanation as to what happened yet, licensed captain even but, I guess power boaters deserve this sort of thing. Especially due to their boat name.
By my count there were 13 people on a 27' boat and few if any wearing a life jacket in an area with lots of commercial traffic and strong tidal flows, it is sad and not surprising.
The article says the driver was licensed, I do not think that means a USCG License. NJ requires a boating license, which if the requirements are similar to NY's boating certificate are pretty lame.
The article says the driver was licensed, I do not think that means a USCG License. NJ requires a boating license, which if the requirements are similar to NY's boating certificate are pretty lame.
The number of people on board does appear excessive.
Not surprised based on what I have seen occasionally with power boats.
Overloading and wake from other vessels have been suggested by authorities as the factors involved.
Looking at the Yamaha website, their 27ft models are big enough that they only state them being "Yacht Certified" as opposed to a clearly stated passenger capacity. Seems like a goofy idea.
Capacity plates are only required on boats less than 20' in length.
Boat Capacities: BoatUS Foundation
The BoatUS Foundation provides this study guide to not only help with passing our free online boating safety course, but to provide a knowledge base for anyone wanting to learn about boating.
Pleasure craft under 20 feet have to have a max capacity stated on a plate; over 20 feet the calculation is (from Boaterexam.com; beam taken from Yamaha website):
Number of people = vessel length (ft.) x vessel width (ft.) ÷ 15
And has been pointed out above the boat is "Yacht Rated", so the above calculation applies. So it appears they were UNDER capacity for the boat. It certainly seems like a lot of people on a boat that size, but not in excess of design if I read the capacity calculation right. Someone correct me if this is jacked up.
Number of people = vessel length (ft.) x vessel width (ft.) ÷ 15
And has been pointed out above the boat is "Yacht Rated", so the above calculation applies. So it appears they were UNDER capacity for the boat. It certainly seems like a lot of people on a boat that size, but not in excess of design if I read the capacity calculation right. Someone correct me if this is jacked up.
Yes it does seem like a lot.
I did notice the regulations also have an engine weight factor that alters the basic calculation and lowers capacity. The Yamaha 27 has dual inboards.
Obviously the operator should alter load for the conditions.
Unless there was a failure, the load doesn't appear to have matched the them.
Sad regardless.
Years ago in this forum, we used to go round and round about boat capacity and this calculation every time a capsize event occurred. I think the general consensus was that this calculation makes absolutely no sense and if I'm not mistaken, it was eventually eliminated from the boat safety courses? In any case, if you have ever been on the Hudson River in the vicinity of New York and New York Harbor, the waves from all the traffic can be insane. There is absolutely no way this boat could have been safe with this number of people on it. I imagine these were even The article also states that the boat "owner" wasn't even on the boat ... he was on a jetski following behind the boat.
"Chartered" ??? does that sound even remotely legitimate in this case? Not to me. I never received stimulus money. Fortunately, I never needed it.A lot of speculation there Scott. Might better wait until there are more facts.
The boat was "chartered" with the owner following on a jet ski.
"The 27-foot boat was chartered by a family and friends while its owner was traveling nearby on a jet ski, authorities said." (see article linked below).
And where did your stimulus money go?
Boy, 7, and woman killed when boat capsizes in NY’s Hudson River
NY Waterway ferries rescued nine people.www.syracuse.com
Interesting. That opens up questions about commercial licensing. Charter/rental etc.
I doubt a $130k boat was paid for by stimulus money. The name was likely chosen for humour. It is kinda funny. Like calling your boat, "Alimony" or something.
At the end of the day,.it's your money spend it how ya want. It doesn't imply anything about ability to safely operate a vessel.
Haven't done a poll across boater safety courses, but a quick Google search shows the calculation is still on Boaterexam.com - Boat Capacity, Rules & Weight Calculation | BOATERexam.com® .
I also ran across an alternate calculation for boats over 26 feet, which divides by 18, which would have made max capacity 13. As "worthless" as these calculations may seem to some, let's be realistic here that there's just no way the average pleasure boater is going to do a weight and balance calculation like pilots do before taking off on a flight. And its not taught in boater safety courses.
Just checking in to say I'm staying the heck out of this thread.
The capacity stated in the specifications of this boat is 12 seats or 2698# max, (not certain if this is inclusive of the 50 gal of fuel capacity) with 13 aboard they were over the persons capacity but I doubt over the max load capacity. Regardless, given the conditions often observed in this location they were grossly over capacity and undoubtedly speed was involved in order to flip this vessel.
As it has been stated, all to often it is observed boats overloaded and going to fast for the conditions. I am sure that all of us has many stories of witnessing this type of poor judgement, unfortunately this case ended in absolute tragedy.
As it has been stated, all to often it is observed boats overloaded and going to fast for the conditions. I am sure that all of us has many stories of witnessing this type of poor judgement, unfortunately this case ended in absolute tragedy.
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Guys, let's talk about the accident and not the politics. I too have see boat names that reflect somewhat comic situations: Tuition, Pay Raise, Alimony, Last Will...
So, please, no politics else we will awaken the sleeping giant, SBOBP!
So, please, no politics else we will awaken the sleeping giant, SBOBP!
Saw this on the news this morning - very sad. The article posted by @Scott T-Bird postulated that it got caught in the wake of a passing boat. WIll be interesting to see what the investigation reveals. Stay safe out there!
The boat model "AR240" can be clearly seen in the video clips. On the MFG website the passenger capacity is stated. It varies based on year
http://specs.bvimedia.ca/en/specifications/yamaha/sport_boat/ar240/2019/
For those that aren't bothered to click
Year, Passenger capacity.
2011 10
2012 11
2013 11
2014 11
2015 12
2018 12
2019 12
Someone might be able to discern the year by comparing images but that won't be me....today anyway..
you doubt? well its definitely happened, many times. there are already people arrested, on trial, sentenced, and/or in prison for buying $700k-1m+ boats, doing direct transfer from the account where the stimulus funds were deposited, to boat dealer, right after receiving the deposit from the government. some even bought expensive mansions and cars with stimulus money. wouldnt surprise me if the boat was actually purchased with stimulus money. there is nothing funny about it at all and i'd be heckling anyone that named their boat something disgusting like that who stole from taxpayers.
you doubt? did you look at any of the news stories? some of the people were huge. i'd put my money they were over every capacity limit, people #, and weight #.