LAKE HAVESU, CA MANSLAUGHTER

[pokerrick1]

Yesterday, at Lake Havasu, CA a 31 year old man was BACKING his powerboat off a beach when he struck and killed a 30 year old woman who was waist deep in the water with his prop. His 27 year old brother jumped into the water to help the woman and he was SEVERLY injured by the prop (I guess el skipper didn't realize he should turn off the engine). Alcohol was involved.

The skipper was arrested and charged with manslaughter!

Sad Holiday weekend for all three

Rick

[ROAD Soldier]

Yep if you are severely negligent commonly known as being severely stupid and kill someone because of the stupid choices you made it is called Manslaughter. All people make mistakes but not all make blatant non ignorant mistakes. Ignorant is not knowing and even though ignorance of the law is not an excuse you can't tell me this individual didn't know what he was doing was illegal. He better hope for the most passive individuals on the planet
to be on his jury.

[kitcat]

Very sad indeed, he will be bitterly regretting his fatal error.

From your comments I assume it is illegal to reverse a power boat off the beach? As far as I am aware this is not the case in the UK. I guess he should have manhandled his boat around in shallow water, without the engine running of course, then driven off forward, when he was sure it was clear around him?

I hesitate to bring this up in view of the outcome, but I will, does no blame attach to the lady who was killed? Surely she would have known there was a powerboat between her and the shore, she may even have noticed the motor was running, yet she still deemed it safe to be on the seaward side! Of course I understand that the skipper should have been aware of her, but it can't be 100% one sided surely, although I don't suppose anyone will actually officially mention this now?

It's amazing that people consider that alcohol and boating are compatable

We had a great few days holiday at Havasu some years ago, but sadly didn't get out on the water. I hope the City Fathers are looking after our bridge?


Paul

[Trouts Dream]

If i am walking in a parking lot and someone floors it backwards into me without looking and is found to be intoxicated...exactly what part of this would be my fault.

I'm sure all this fellows family and friends believe he is a great guy but not at least taking the boat out of gear would indicate this fellow has no one to blame for this death but himself.

[pokerrick1]

From your comments I assume it is illegal to reverse a power boat off the beach?

I never indicated that - - - and actually it is not illegal in most places - - - but it IS an act that one should execute (pardon the pun) with extreme caution - - - and certainly backing into a woman with the prop spinning IS illegal everywhere

I place no blame on the woman (although I would have been more careful than her). We go to the Colorado River at Laughlin, NV at a beach which is total lined with PWC's and Boats. If you are in the water, there is a boat or PWC directly between you and the shore. It is common for boats to begin to move out with people behind them - - - but, as you mentioned, EVERYONE gets help and manhandles their boat into the water and turns it around before starting the engine and heading out - - - this is SOP

Rick

[kitcat]

"someone floors it backwards" I didn't see that bit, are we sure that is what happened?

I know that people walk behind reversing cars all the time, happens to me a lot in certain places, and no I don't keep going backwards, but I do think that they should be more aware of what is happening around them than they are, I would hate to be reliant on someone else when it comes to my own safety. This in no way mitigates the skippers responsibility in this case. He is still as guilty as sin, but it may be worth having the discussion - as we should all be as responsible for our own safety as well as that of others, but if not, say so and I'll be happy to drop it.

Paul

[Trouts Dream]

The term flooring it backwards was my term because if the skipper had been going slow enough and watching what he was doing he may still have injured the woman but to kill someone in waste deep water while backing up would indicate more than a few revs....and then to severly wound your brother who jumps in to save the woman.....maybe it was a Toyota motor and the throttle stuck.

[pokerrick1]

Flooring it backwards was the term Greg used to describe how it would not be the pedestrian's fault if this happened in a parking lot with a car.

Actually, the article I read in The Las Vegas Review Journal stated that the driver "apparently reved it up pretty high" to get away from a small sandbar on which he was stuck (all the more reason to shut down, get help, and manhandle the boat off the sandbar).

Rick

[jschrade]

Darwin in action.

I carefully watch the taillights of cars in a parking lot and have avoided being hit several times. My survival instinct compels me to do this. It would also compel me to move quickly if someone was gunning his boat and I am in any way in the path.


Jim

[SkiDeep2001]

jschrade, Darwin loathes people like you. A little common sense and situational awareness makes it difficult to thin the herd. Rob Condolences to family & RIP to the victim.

[Catigale]

Its called a Dar-lose...anyway..

A prop on a 50 Horse or larger will kill you at idle. It doesnt take any revs to perform the chum action.

He could be under charges pending investigation - its possible they could be dropped. My guess is his blood alcohol was over limits which all but guarantees charges and civil liability too...

[Highlander]

She maybe not have been firmilure with boats or with what was going on ! maybe she got scared & froze who would'nt if yer were to see that coming @ you , but people do do stupid things like snorking in boat channels expecting everyone to see that 4-6" orange snorkle tube sticking out of the water !

sad but true , loss of any life no matter what !

J

[seahouse]

Accidents don't just happen. They must be carelessly planned.

[John McDonough]

..maybe it was a Toyota motor and the throttle stuck.

Maybe it was a Chevrolet inboard motor with a quiet muffler.. maybe she never heard it or seen it c oming until it was too late.. For everyone who just read this post, let this be a reminder to be extra careful when anchored or beached around swimmers. When I kept my X in Lake Erie There were quite a few boats, anchored or beached on the shallow sandbars close to the swimming beaches.. I recall quite a few humans swiming or snorkleling around my X., personally I would Sail aways with the Roller furler jib or drift out. If the winds were blowing on shore, I would jump off the back push the boat out into deepere water before starting the engine,

[Phantom]

Everybody operating a boat needs to be careful and needs to keep an eye out for persons, objects, or other boats while on the water. I usually motor very slowly just for this purpose. (Also I don't like taking the time to put up my rudders and centerboard) It's difficult to even see somebody paddling a kayak on the lake when the sun is reflected off of the water. While under sail I try to peak from time to time around the jib so that I can see if anybody is coming toward me. I usually have my wife with me and I use her eyes to help me keep a lookout. In the last couple weeks I probably would have either hit or swamped two swimmers who were swimming pretty far off of the shore had I not been going slow. Luckily at the time no fast powerboaters towing tubes near the swimmers.
I keep my in Bayview, ID on Lake Pend Oreille. Tragedies can be prevented with a little precaution. Yesterday afternoon while getting ready to back away from a dock two teenage girls were floating on a raft. Before even staring my engine I advised them that I was going to be backing out. I made sure that they were in the clear before I had my wife untie the boat. By the way I never drink while I am operating my boat. Might have a beer or a glass of wine if I know I am staying put for the night.