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Conference vicki::boats

Title:	Powerboats
Notice:	Introductions 2 /Classifieds 3 / '97 Ski Season 1267
Moderator:	KWLITY::SUTER

Created:	Thu May 12 1988
Last Modified:	Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1275
Total number of notes:	18109

351.0. "Tragedy on the Connecticutt River" by SA1794::SCAGBOB () Wed Apr 26 1989 16:38

     As I was eating lunch  in a downtown Springfield restaurant
    today I couldn't help to notice the State Police Helicopters
    going back and forth, up and down the area over the Connecticutt
    River. Just a grim reminder that they still hadn't found a 37 yr
    old man and his 4 yr old daughter, victims of a boating accident
    a few days ago upstream in Chicopee. A "dumb" mistake caused the
    accident in the 16 ft run-a-bout. The river is high and the current
    very swift. Somehow they were trying to throw out the anchor to
    stop and fish awhile when the boat turned around. The rope cought
    on the prop and began to wind up pulling the transom under and filling
    the boat with water. There was another man in the boat who was rescued
    now in the hospital in shock suffering from Hyperthermia. They havn't
    been able to talk to him yet to understand the details of the tragedy.
    The life preservers were found in the bottom of the boat when pulled
    ashore. Being a fellow boater I have a lot of respect for the river.
    The moral of the story I guess is to think twice about making certain
    decisions when operating a boat in adverse conditions especially
    with children aboard. I hope this story isn't entirely out of place
    in this conference. I rarely write but just felt so bad about what 
    happened maybe others would be a little more careful this spring
    after reading this story. 
                                             Bob

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
351.1	One man's tragedy should be another's lesson!	FDCV06::DARROW	Free mooring in Lexington	`Thu Apr 27 1989 09:46`	15
	I think this is just the place for your note, unless the mod has a note reserved for safety issues. Just like waters offshore, rivers at this time of year, in fact any time of year, deserve and require our respect and careful consideration. I consider safety education to be one of the most important benefits of this and the Sailing notes conferences. Fred
351.2	Danger?	ARCHER::SUTER	Gentlemen, start your marine engines!	`Thu Apr 27 1989 11:20`	18
	Yes, It certainly does belong here, we should always think safety! A tragic reminder seems to make it really stick. As a matter of fact I forgot to remind my 6 year old son about warning everyone before he "hits it" on his first drive this year.(he never forgot last year) But, I didn't and he damn near sent me over the transom! I mentioned the danger in the Merrimack river in an earlier note, but I think it belongs here also. No one should launch in the river then just cruise, the river is filled with everything from tiny branches to telephone pole size logs. Extreme caution and a keen eye is essential. Happy Boating! Rick
351.3	Update to tragedy	SA1794::SCAGBOB		`Thu Apr 27 1989 14:20`	8
	Just an update to this story....They found both victims on the bottom of the river about 300yds downstream yesterday afternoon. Neither had lifejackets on. Witnesses claim to have seen the boat only running backwards suggesting the motor would not shift into forward. It is believed this may have been the maiden voyage. The owner,now in "good" condition in the hospital recently bought the used boat. I don't think he ever forget that day... Bob
351.4	Speaking of Tragedies...	CGVAX2::JOHNSON_S		`Fri Apr 28 1989 12:47`	4
	Speaking of tragedies, has anyone heard if the 23 year old male, lost on the Merrimack River in Manchester NH has been found yet? Sonia
351.5	Recovered	SALEM::GINGRAS		`Fri Apr 28 1989 13:05`	2
	Watching the Channel 9 news last night, they had a short story. His body was found near the Notre Dame bridge.
351.6	Thanks for the info	CGVAX2::JOHNSON_S		`Mon May 01 1989 09:51`	3
	Thank You! Sonia