Accidents of the Week – June 10, 2023
BoatTEST publishes “Accidents of the Week” as a public service for our VIP Subscribers to acquaint them with potential boating dangers and by inference their prevention.
Boaters Rescued on Hudson River After Engine Failure
5/24/23 – Ulster Co., NY
A "Vessel in Distress" call was received by 911 dispatchers in Ulster County, New York, on May 24th and area first responders jumped into action.
With the wind whipping all across the Hudson Valley, it was twice as windy out on the water, as experienced by some boaters who required rescuing from the Hudson River after the sailboat they were on experienced distress.
According to the Ulster County Sherriff's Office, at approximately 4:27 P.M. the local 911 call center received a call from the operator of a vessel requesting assistance on their boat, due to engine failure on the Hudson River. The caller reported that because of rough and choppy conditions on the water, the boat was beginning to pitch, sparking dangerous conditions.
Emergency dispatchers sent the Ulster County Sheriff's Office marine vessel M26 to the area, which was just off the shore of the Hudson River in Port Ewen, according to the Sheriff's Department. As deputies made it to the boat they were able to safely rescue the three occupants on board and get them to safety.
One Dead, One Seriously Injured After PWC Accident on Hudson River
5/27/23 – Newburgh, NY
A tragic accident claimed the life of one and seriously injured another on the Hudson River over Memorial Day weekend.
A beautiful Saturday afternoon turned tragic over the weekend as police in Orange County reported that one person had died after two personal watercraft (PWC) or jet skis collided while driving on the Hudson River near the waterfront in Newburgh, New York.
Authorities and first responders confirmed that two jet skis that were traveling on the Hudson River near the Newburgh Beacon Bridge collided on 27 May, and as a result of the collision one rider was left with serious injuries, while the other passed away.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud "bang" as the two jet skis collided in the water. As first responders arrived on the scene, they recovered the injured riders from the water. Both riders reportedly sustained severe injuries and were transported to local hospitals, where one of them sadly passed away from their injuries.
Authorities did not reveal the names or any other information about either rider but did say that a full investigation into the collision was ongoing.
Coast Guard Rescues 7 People in Florida’s Manatee County
5/28/23 – Fort Myers, FL
Coast Guard Station Cortez rescue crews saved seven people in two different cases in Manatee County on 27 and 28 May.
A Station Cortez rescue crew saved three people on 27 May at approximately 11 p.m., after their boat took on water and capsized on the Manatee River. All three were wearing life jackets.
Meanwhile, a Station Cortez rescue crew rescued four people from a capsized vessel about 40 miles west of Egmont Key.
An emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) activated at approximately 8 a.m., alerting Coast Guard watchstanders of the situation. An Air Station Clearwater aircrew also launched. They were wearing life jackets.
The people were reported in good health and a safety marine information broadcast was issued for the capsized vessel, as a hazard to navigation.
Coast Guard Rescues 2 People from Sinking Boat in Delaware Bay
5/27/23 – Cape May, NJ
Two people were rescued on 27 May from a 47-foot boat that struck a submerged object and sank in the Delaware Bay, according to the Coast Guard.
A 29-foot Coast Guard vessel from Station Fortescue arrived first and attempted to help the boaters remove water from their vessel while they tried to repair the hole in the bow from hitting the submerged object, officials said. But the flooding was too significant and the two boaters were taken to shore uninjured in the Coast Guard vessel.
A second Coast Guard boat arrived from Cape May to continue attempts to save the vessel, named Floating Dock, but it capsized and sank in 18 feet of water off the coast of Fortescue in Cumberland County, officials said. The partially submerged boat has been marked with a fender to warn other boaters of the hazard.
Fire Damages Several Boats, Docks at DC Marina
5/28/23 – Washington, DC
A fire broke out at a Washington DC marina overnight on 28 May.
According to DC Fire and EMS, a fire broke out at the Columbia Island Marina just after midnight. Upon arrival, they found several boats on fire.
Three boats were destroyed and a pier was also damaged. Both Arlington Fire and EMS and the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Fire Department helped put the fires out.
Woman Dies After Partner Crashes Boat into Dock in Michigan’s St. Clair County
5/26/23 – Algonac, MI
A woman has died after being injured in a boating incident in St. Clair County. Officials say a 23-foot boat crashed into a dock while attempting to park on 26 May. On the boat, a 66-year-old woman from Clarkston was severely injured in the crash.
The woman was transported to McLaren Macomb Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. St. Clair County officials said that drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the boat crash.
Boat Destroyed After Catching Fire on Missouri’s Meramec River
5/27/23 – Eureka, MO
A boat was destroyed after catching fire on the Meramec River outside of Eureka, Missouri, on 27 May.
According to a social media post by the Eureka Fire Protection District (EFPD), no injuries were reported in the incident but the boat was a total loss. The post did not explain the possible cause of the fire.
Agencies Searching Mississippi River for Boater Missing After Crash
5/29/23 – St Francisville, LA
Search and recovery efforts were underway in the Mississippi River on 29 and 30 May, with multiple agencies assisting.
After searching for 20 hours in the Mississippi River in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, for the missing boater, the search went from a rescue mission to a recovery. It was called off on the evening of 29 May and resumed the following day.
The missing boater was identified as Rachel Hann, 38, of St. Francisville, Lousiana. “We resumed early this morning. We are working with WBR (West Baton Rouge), EBR (East Baton Rouge), and Iberville Sheriff’s Office to cover the downstream areas,” said Sheriff Brian Spillman, of the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office (WFPSO).
“We feel confident that we’ve covered the water surface and river banks in a large enough area that we would have discovered Ms. Hann, if she survived the crash. These are difficult decisions, but we’ve utilized boats, drones and helicopters in our grid searches and, after consulting with her family, we will now continue daylight searches in hopes of a recovery,” said Sheriff Spillman.
Officials say it was around 9pm on Sunday 28 May when the Coast Guard notified the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office of a boat crash. The crash was downstream from the St. Francisville riverfront.
A passing tow boat noticed the wreck and called it in. WFPSO Sheriff Spillman said the boat operator, Anthony Bain, 37, of St. Francisville, remained hospitalized with injuries he sustained in the crash. He was airlifted to a hospital.
North Carolina Political Strategist Killed in Boating Accident
5/28/23 – Carteret Co., NC
One man is dead after a boating accident near Shackleford Banks on Sunday, 28 May. The National Park Service confirmed the fatality on the afternoon of 29 May.
According to a press release, the accident happened around 4:30 p.m. in a rented boat in the ocean south of Shackleford Banks. The statement reported that conditions at the time of the accident were 7-to-9-foot swells, temperatures in the mid-70s, sporadic rain, and winds out of the SSW at 8-16 MPH.
While underway, the boat took a wave that did not completely capsize the vessel but ejected all three passengers. The accident occurred outside of park boundaries, and the United States Coast Guard and NC Wildlife were leading the accident investigation.
After the accident occurred, the three ejected passengers made it to Shackleford Banks. Upon reaching the beach, one male victim in his mid-forties collapsed around the wave line. The two remaining passengers were unable to move the victim. The victim was unresponsive, so the other passengers started CPR and dialed 911 at 4:47 p.m.
Park Rangers were dispatched but were approximately 2 miles away. They responded via boat and ATV and were on-site within fifteen minutes. Upon arrival, NPS Rangers continued CPR until paramedics with the Harkers Island Fire Department and Beaufort Fire Department arrived on scene and took over. CPR was conducted for about an hour before medical direction called off efforts.
The deceased was later identified as Conen Morgan, 42, of Raleigh. Morgan was a political strategist and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper tweeted the following: "Conen Morgan’s hard work and determination made a real, positive difference for people of North Carolina. His loss is a tragedy and we send our deepest sympathy to his family and friends."
Boat Sinks Off Oregon Coast, 3 People Rescued by Coast Guard
5/29/23 – Coos Bay, OR
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three people from the ocean on the morning of 29 May after their 17-foot fishing boat sank near Cape Arago, about 15 miles southwest of Coos Bay, on the Oregon coast, the Coast Guard reported.
The first report came in around 8 a.m. that the boat was taking on water. A 47-foot motor lifeboat left the Coast Guard station in Coos Bay and arrived at the scene within 10 minutes. A rescue helicopter launched at the same time from the air station in North Bend and arrived shortly after.
When the Coast Guard arrived, they rescued three people from the water. All three were wearing life jackets. They showed signs of hypothermia and were transferred to emergency medical services.
On Facebook, U.S. Coast Guard Station Coos Bay wrote the fishermen had been in 50-degree water for 33 minutes. The Coast Guard tried to recover the fishing boat but by that time it was fully submerged in the ocean. The Coast Guard said there was no visible threat of pollution from the sunken boat.
"We are thankful that these individuals are alive and wearing life jackets," the Coast Guard tweeted. "Please remember to be safe today and we wish a speedy recovery for the three.