Accidents of the Week – February 25, 2023
February 25, 2023
Michigan Boater Missing After Vessel Capsizes in Tittabawassee River
2/12/23 – Thomas, MI
A mid-Michigan man was missing on 12 February after a boat he and a friend had been riding down the Tittabawassee River capsized, authorities said.
Nathan James Robbins, 26, of Saginaw County was traveling down the river on a small boat with a friend when their vessel capsized around 1:30 a.m., Thomas Township Fire Chief Michael Cousins said. Bystanders told The Saginaw News the two were traveling to meet their girlfriends at a bar near the river.
The Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office said when the 10-12-foot-long aluminum boat stalled, Robbins attempted to get it running again but his sweater became snared in a motor mechanism, and efforts to free himself caused the boat to capsize. The 23-year-old friend was able to swim to shore and call for help.
State and local police were dispatched to the scene but currents sent Robbins downstream before they could locate him, authorities said.
Stranded Boater in Florida’s Crescent Lake Rescued by Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit
2/12/23 – Putnam Co., FL
It was a cold evening rescue for one boater who’s glad to be back on land. On Sunday, 12 February, the boater was on Crescent Lake when his 12-foot vessel began taking on water.
Stranded Without Road Access
Before the boat took on too much water, the man was able to navigate to Buzzard Roost, on the uninhabited Flagler County side of the lake. Unfortunately, the boat was about 3/4 flooded by then. Additionally, the boater could not get his motor to turn over, and there were no access roads to reach him.
Furthermore, when the boater attempted to call an emergency line, he was initially routed to Volusia County dispatchers, nowhere near his location.
Despite all these complications, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Marine unit quickly mobilized. They were able to locate the boater in the dark, secure his vessel and return him safely to shore in Crescent City.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Responds to Two Open-Water Incidents in One Day
2/12/23 – Palm Beach Co., FL
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR) responded to two open-water incidents on 12 February. Five people total, including a child, were involved, with officials confirming that all were safe.
Shortly after 1 p.m., PBCFR responded to Little Munyon Island in North Palm Beach, where three people, including the minor, were stranded after their kayak sunk. PBCFR deployed two personal watercraft to rescue the people near a jetty.
Officials say Gardens Fire Rescue, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit and the U.S. Coast Guard were dispatched as well. The U.S. Coast Guard took over the scene.
An hour earlier, PBCFR also responded to two people who were stranded in a canoe taking on water in unincorporated Boynton Beach.
Fire officials said rescue crews found the two people, moved them onto a rescue boat and move them onto shore safely. According to PBCFR, neither person needed transportation to a hospital.
Boating Accident in Jefferson Davis Co., Mississippi, Sends 1 to Hospital
2/12/23 – Jefferson Davis Co., MS
A boating accident on 12 February in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi, sent one person to the hospital.
According to the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page, first responders were dispatched to aid Jefferson Davis County with a boating accident on Greens Creek at the River Road Bridge.
Tri-Community personnel arrived on scene and administered medical assistance. AAA Ambulance Service and Flight Care Rescue 9 responded, with the injured person transported by ambulance to a hospital.
One Person Injured in Long Island Propane Tank Explosion
2/9/23 – Long Island, NY
A 44-year-old man was seriously injured when his sailboat exploded in the Islip Canal, according to Long Island Officials.
Investigators said that the incident took place around 10:00 p.m. on 9 February. A man was in or near his sailboat when there was a sudden loud explosion. Witnesses said that it sounded like a bomb went off.
Explosion Thought to be Caused by Leaking Propane Tank
Firefighters, a hazmat team and the U.S. Coastguard were called to help with the response. The victim was taken to the hospital with critical injuries and was intubated due to concerns about smoke inhalation.
Investigators believe that the explosion was due to a leaking propane tank. A full investigation into the incident was ongoing.
Wave Flips Kayak, Killing 1 and Leaving Another Clinging to Pylon, Florida Cops Say
2/12/23 – Destin, FL
A 32-year-old woman was found dead one day after the wake from a large boat flipped her kayak in West Florida’s Destin Harbor, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Her companion in the kayak was rescued after being found clinging to a pylon, the sheriff’s office said in a news release on 12 February.
The deceased woman was identified as Bethany Newman of Destin by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
“At approximately 6:15 pm, a green kayak was overturned by the wake from a large boat in Destin Harbor behind Gilligan’s Watersports,” the sheriff’s office reported. “The current was moving east. Two people were on the kayak when it overturned. One person was recovered at approximately 9 p.m. holding onto a pylon behind Harbor Docks (restaurant).”
The survivor was found by a good Samaritan and “transported by EMS to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries,” FWC reported. His identity was not released.
Investigators announced the body recovery early on 12 February, but did not release details of where it was found. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was investigating the incident.
Boat Fire at Georgia Marina Under Investigation
2/16/23 – Flowery Branch, GA
The Hall County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated a boat fire that broke out on the morning of 16 February at Aqualand Marina on Lake Lanier, Georgia.
At approximately 10:15 a.m., Hall County Fire Rescue (HCFR) was dispatched to the 6800 block of Lights Ferry Road in Flowery Branch.
Upon arrival, crews found smoke showing from a boat at the end of Dock O. The flames were contained to the inside of the boat. Firefighters extinguished the bulk of the fire within fifteen minutes, said HCFR Public Information Officer Kimberlie Ledsinger.
“The flames did not reach any other exposures or make damages to the dock,” said Ledsinger. “No one was found during the primary search, and there have been no reports of injuries from the scene.” The cause of the fire was as yet undetermined.