Tragedy on Lake Texoma

[Kernix]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Unfortunately, there is a major difference between the tragedy that happened with Dale Earnhardt Sr. and the events on Lake Texoma.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. was racing in a proper racing venue, in a car that was kitted out with the proper safety gear and had no known mechanical issues, and no innocent bystanders or spectators were at any real risk.

The people in the two speedboats were not in a proper racing venue, one of the boats had a known mechanical issue at a time just prior to the racing, and the spectators were definitely at risk. Just by the grace of God did they not hit a pontoon boat full of a family with little children.

But who was at fault - was it both? I'd say know - I'd say one less experienced person made the wrong turn or it was the boat with the mech. issue - if either is the case, then the other people in the other boat should not be trashed so to speak - their joy is outrageous speeds in motor boats - I know I wouldn't enjoy that at all - but to each his own.

[bwalker42]

Originally Posted by sailaway21

Brenda,
Thanks for the thoughtful post.

While doing an internship with USCG-MSO, Detroit I was involved in the investigation of a similar accident. A salesman, presumably experienced, was out on a test drive of a go-fast boat prior to customer delivery on Lake St Clair. He encountered some difficulty in switching over fuel tanks, was looking down, came off plane, got the fuel flowing again, and, just as he came back on plane tore the stern-sheets out of a 20' Chris Craft runabout. The two men on the Chris saw him coming and dove over the side to escape. The Labrador Retriever with them did not and lost his tail via prop damage. The Chris Craft was pretty much a total loss, while the Check Mate had a few scratches and bent props.

The inherent danger of this type vessel is that it does not come up on plane until around 30 mph. Given the design parameters, that makes for a significant blind spot dead ahead. On a crowded lake, such as St Clair, that can be, and is, a serious safety risk. I would venture to say that the operators of such craft have a greater burden of responsibility to ensure they are operating safely due to the design of their vessels.

Most of my sailing is done on a lake that is about one third the size of the most desirable sailing lake in my area. The sole reason I sail where I do is the lack of congestion. I can only be responsible for my actions, and the less boat congestion there is, the fewer boaters I have to be worried about. I am not in favor of licensing boaters as I view the only purpose of licensing to be a post-facto method of punishment. I see little in the licensing procedures, or the manifest results on the road, to indicate that licensing of motor vehicle drivers has any impact on safety whatsoever. The whole thing is a damn feel-good joke.

The only bigger joke on the topic is that, "speed kills'. Speed has nothing to do with it, per se. Stupidity kills. Ignorance runs a close second. 100 mph in a M-B 450 SEL on 'V' rated tires is quite comfortable and, in my view, safe. 100 mph in my F-150 pick 'em up with my recap specials I've been meaning to get the nails out of is stupid. Either one, with an inexperienced driver behind the wheel, defacto ignorant, is troublesome.

Asking the question, "how will my actions affect others" is the answer to the first question on the maturity examination. Maturity is no longer stylish. Too bad.

Bravo!
I love the way you say this!

"I would venture to say that the operators of such craft have a greater responsibility to ensure they are operating safely due to the design of their vessels."

I so agree.
Excellent Post!

[cardiacpaul]

Both of the boaters involved were "professionals" at this, one was the promoter of the event. They both had many years of experience in the operation and maintence of these craft. The implication that the people involved were not skilled is troublesome. However, had one not "taken the chance" all would be alive today.

These craft are big ticket items, and the operators are not flybynighters. These events are held across the country, with very large purses.

some pictures and related gear are here
cardiacpaul/speedboat - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

I believe that while very tragic, the collision was caused by operator error, (not maintaining a safe distance, speed not reasonable and prudent) and mechanical failure (conjecture, no smoking gun has been found).

[sailingdog]

Well said CP.

[bwalker42]

Does anyone here remember what happened on Clear Lake with Dan Pastorini?? Think back.....

[sailingdog]

You mean this:

On May 22, 1977, Pastorini was involved in a drag boat accident during a race on Lake Mizell in Liberty County. Texas. The boat veered onto the shore and hit a crowd of spectators after its engine failed, causing its automatic steering mechanism to fail. 3 people were injured and 2 people were killed including Sherry Machell Gaskins, 10 and Herean Dale Johnson, 33.

[bwalker42]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

You mean this:


The boat veered onto the shore and hit a crowd of spectators after its engine failed, causing its automatic steering mechanism to fail.

Yes, Sailingdog! Thanks! I thought it was Clear Lake, but then I was only 16 at the time..
However, it does bring to light some extremely similar details to the collision/accident on L.Texoma IMHO.

Sailingdog.. you are an angel!

[sailingdog]

Glad to help Sea Angel...

One major difference that I can see in that particular case though. I don't believe it was known prior to the accident that the boat was having mechanical problems. In the case of Lake Texoma, one of the two speedboats involved in the crash was having mechanical issues earlier in the day... yet chose to go on racing in spite of them, at least from what accounts I've read.

[timebandit]

Fast is fast and slow is slow and never the twain should meet. People who go fast have minds that work in a compleatly different spectrum than those that go slow. I'm guessing that the two boats were going side by side when the accident happened. Weather one boat turned sharply in front of the other or one verred away and came back, who knows. I am sure they did not ram each other at nighty degrees from a distance.
I like slow and I like fast but it takes me a little to get my brain up to speed but I can slow it down to sailing speed anytime.

[sharkbait]

It has been said many times on this site that multi hulls are dangerous