Another reason powerboaters get a bad name

[Tim R.]

My wife and I were enjoying a nice dinner in a local waterfront resturant when 6 20 somethings rolled in quite boisterously. We were in the bar section of a fairly conservative eatery. They asked for 6 shots and wanted them in a hurry. While waiting they explained to me that they were on their annual harvest pub craw. They do this via their 35 ft powerboat. It was not a trawer but instead one of those planing boats with a big wing on it. It was about 6pm and this was the 2nd stop of many. By the time they left the dock(with beers in hand), the sun was down. I can only imagine them speeding around Casco Bay in the dark en route to the next pub. I had just been out that Wed. night sailing with some friends.

With the trial of a powerboater just wrapped up that sent him to jail on manslaughter charges from a collision last year, you would think these jokers would be more carefull. Unfortunately the bar tender did not know what they were up to until after they left. He was very sorry he served them.

Let's hope that was his final cruise of the season as we plan on doing some more night sailing this year. Of course Darwin could always step in and claim the whole lot of them

 

[ITMaster]

Roger that Captain

I see the same things around here Tim. It is a shame for and of course, a clear and present danger to those of us responsible enough to not consume intoxicants before we plan on operation of a vessel.

However, where we used to be more or less helpless about that type of conduct, law enforcement officials are becoming more focused on curtailing that conduct and are more than happy to track down these deviant misfits and arrest them and take them to court. Not enough IMHO, yet they are starting to care more and do something about it.

I am not sure about Maine, but in the Commonwealth of Virginia, they will take you to court and if you are proven guilty convict you and take away your boating rights for one year first offense, five years second offense and jail time and ten years third offense. I think it is weak, it doesn't threaten your automobile license, yet if you get enough of them and then get caught operating a boat, jail time will follow.

Sadly, the alcoholic is addicted and will continue to abuse until he hits bottom and hurts others around him and won't do anything about it until he is forced to, usually at a price far greater than can be repaid to the victims and society. We are all losers and victims when it comes to the true cost of it.

I personally endorse more stringent enforcement with stiffer penalties including loss of all motor vehicular rights and privileges, steep fines and jail time.

The loss of a life due to someone being drunk is a loss of a life, regardless of where it is taken. They have cracked down on automobile drinking and driving (not enough), flying an airplane, and now need to go after Boating Under the Influence violators.

A simple phone call with identification of the vessel as well as the operator is usually all it takes. We are lucky in that we have so many law enforcement agents in the water in down here in the southern part of the bay, USCG, US Naval Police, our Virginia Fish & Game Commission Wardens have the same authority in VA as does a VA State Trooper ( they can and will pull you over for a traffic violation), our Virginia Department of Marine Resources officers are our State water Police agents, and then our Counties and Cities have Police on the water to help with enforcement around here also. I would encourage anyone that observes someone acting in an irresponsible manner to make that phone call. I carry several law enforcement numbers in my cell phone and all of the agents on the water around us monitor VHF Channel 16.

BTW Tim, I saw a pic of your boat in one that MS posted recently and she is beautiful. We went to the Boat Show this weekend and saw lots of pretty boats, and were happy to leave and come home content with the one we have, and I know you would be also with yours. She is very pretty

 

[All U Get]

You're right on the money, too many nice boaters in Casco Bay. I'll pass it on to my friends.
All-U-Get

 

[Ross]

You're right on the money, too many nice boaters in Casco Bay. I'll pass it on to my friends.
All-U-Get

Nancy and I were able to get out this weekend and observed the best and the worst in people in their boats and their cars. More than half of the boats that we saw didn't conform to any naming or registration requirements that I know of so reporting them is nearly imposible. In some cases accurate gunfire may be the only effective method for controlling them. ;D

 

[paulj]

Did the boat that hit the Multese Faclon have his engine on?


paulj

 

[Skipper]

Sailors too

I think generally this is not true, but yesterday sailors were as bad as powerboaters in Dana Point, CA.

The wind was blasting abnormally this weekend as we had a Santa Ana condition (East) setting up and the precursor was strong prevailing wind (Northwest). We had about 18-20 knots of stable wind with gusts to 26 knots. I was reefed single in the main and the jib furled except about 3 feet sticking out to keep the bow on, and still averaging 6 knots (6.5 hull speed)

This happened in the span of about 10 minutes:
As I came back into the harbor to wash the salt out of my mouth, one sailor in a 25 foot sloop has every stitch up and healing about 40 degrees with the boom in the water.

Next guy, older Catalina 27, same thing, not healing as bad but he also has the main hatch wide open for the deck wash to investigate.

Next guy, Ericson 26 or 27, same thing, except he's coming in to the harbor too and wallowing like a sea lion in the stern swells and blistering wind. Rounding up like mad and fighting the helm.

Next guy, another older Cat 27, main only up so not overpressed however forward hatch wide open. I could see the lid sticking straight up. The seas were 4-5 feet and with the wind howling my foredeck was consistently sprayed, I can only imagine what their cabin looked like.

Next guy, 4 20 somethings, yet another older Cat 27 (how many are there?), with the anchor swinging off the bow roller about six inched is the water. They're not sailing but using the motor and at about 5 knots and in the good swells the anchor was beating the poo out of the bow. I had to wave and point frantically so that they would retrieve the anchor, which they did. I guess they couldn't hear the flogging with the motor running? The wind in the shrouds?

Morons.

I conclude that all boaters are potentially hazardous to their respective reputations while simultaneously being dangerous. However, powerboaters are just that, powerful. Which means their stupidity, drunkenness, inexperience, inattention or unpreparedness, or a combination thereof, is drastically more dangerous.

 

[Skipper]

Re: Sailors too

I forgot to add the guy in the Newport 27 who wrapped his prop around a lobster trap in the harbor entrance. In broad daylight. Then called the Coast guard for assistance. Fortunately the Harbor Patrol took the radio call while the CG were recovering from their laughter.

 

[sinnettc]

Re: Sailors too

Those lobsters are sneaky little b*st*rds. I'm sure they moved the trap right into his path when he wasn't looking.

 

[higgs]

Check this out

From Seaworthy Boat US. Read the first article description. The cop did not get alchohol tested , by some accounts, up to to 24 hours after the incident.

One big difference with sailboats and power boats is the potential for damage.