Accidents of the Week – March 11, 2023

11 March, 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.

Georgia officials say two juveniles injured, one seriously, in jet ski crash against dock

2/25/23 – Columbus, GA

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was investigating a jet ski crash on Lake Oliver over the weekend, Sgt. Jeremy Bolen told local reporters on 27 February.

Two juveniles -- a boy and a girl -- were injured when the jet ski they were riding collided with a dock on the Georgia side of Lake Oliver, Bolen said. It happened just before sunset on Saturday, 25 February.

The girl was treated and released from a Columbus hospital Saturday night. The boy was seriously injured and taken to a Columbus hospital where he underwent surgery. He was then transported to an Atlanta hospital for additional medical care, Bolen said.

The cause of the crash was under investigation, and Georgia DNR did not release the names or ages of the juveniles involved.

10 people rescued after boat hits Cape Coral Bridge

2/25/23 – Lee Co., FL

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) got a call on February 25, around 05:00 p.m., regarding a vessel accident in the Caloosahatchee River, in Lee County, Southwest Florida. The FWC, the United States Coast Guard, Cape Coral Police Department, Lee County Fire Rescue, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office all responded.

Crews discovered a 37-foot vessel taking water. Investigators say the vessel struck the base of the Cape Coral Bridge and sank.

There were 10 people on board at the time of the incident. Each person was rescued and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment of their injuries. FWC launched an active investigation into this boating accident.

Man Arrested in Houston Area Suspected Drunken Boating Crash, Sheriff Says

2/25/23 – Chambers Co., TX

A man was arrested after a suspected drunken boating crash in the early morning hours of 25 February, according to the sheriff's office in Chambers County, Texas.

The crash was reported shortly after 1:30 a.m. in Fort Anahuac Park on Saturday. A 21-year-old man was arrested on the charge of intoxication assault with watercraft causing serious bodily injury.

‘Make sure boat operators are sober’: Sheriff

The sheriff's office said the crash was being investigated by Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens. A 50-year-old man was seriously injured in the crash and taken to a nearby hospital.

“The warm weather is approaching and boating becomes a popular activity in Chambers County. Please make sure the boat operators are sober and experienced at all times when your vessel/boat is underway, especially in the nighttime hours,” said Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne.

Dock Fire Destroys Numerous Boats, Including House Boats, Jet Skis

2/24/23 – Napa Co., CA

Investigators at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) were trying to determine the cause of a dock fire reported just before 9 p.m. on 24 February, at Markley Cove Resort on Lake Berryessa in Napa County, which destroyed at least 23 marine craft, including houseboats, longboats, Jet Skis and pontoon boats.

Estimated 23 Watercrafts Destroyed

Cal Fire and other local agencies were called to the scene and firefighters were able to stop forward progress on the scene, which caused parts of the dock to sink. The incident was officially terminated just after midnight, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Jason Clay.

Clay said on the morning of 25 February that there were “no known injuries” and the exact cause of the fire was still under investigation.

Meanwhile, Markley Cove officials conducted an inventory count and found that an estimated 23 watercrafts had been destroyed. According to Clay, that number was expected to fluctuate as the investigation continued.

Fire and Rescue Respond to Boat Fire in Juneau, Alaska

2/24/23 - Juneau, AK

Capital City Fire and Rescue (CCFR) responded to the Statter Boat Harbor in Auke Bay on 24 February, responding to a report of a boat on fire. An investigation was launched immediately into the origin and cause of the fire.

The area of origin was the engine room, and while the exact cause of the ignition was undetermined, investigators believed that an electrical short may have occurred in the refrigeration system, igniting nearby flammable or combustible materials.

There were reports of a small explosion, thought to be caused by the breaker for the refrigeration system, which had catastrophically failed and separated wires in the box.

The owner announced plans to work with an electrician to systematically place the vessel in service before leaving the harbor.

Ironworkers on Bridge Assist in Rescue of Distressed Kayaker in New Jersey

2/24/23 – Toms River, NJ

Two ironworkers working on the Route 37 bridge project in Toms River, above New Jersey’s Barnegat Bay, noticed a boater in distress on the afternoon of 24 February and threw the stranded kayaker a line and a life vest until help arrived.

Quick-thinking workers save kayaker

According to Jillian Messina, a spokeswoman for the Toms River Police Department, the boater was observed from the Tunney Bridge at around 3:15 pm by two contractors, Randolph Fuson and Charles Baldwin of IEW.

Messina explained that the contractors were performing maintenance on the bridge when they noticed an overturned kayak and looked to see if anyone was near.

“They heard someone yelling for help and provided a life vest and life ring to the individual, holding the rope to keep him in sight until additional help arrived,” Messina said. “Officers arrived, and subsequently members of the Seaside Heights Fire and Police Departments responded by boat to pull the victim from the water.”

The boater was taken to Community Medical Center for treatment. Also assisting at the scene were East Dover Fire, Ocean Beach Fire, Silverton Fire, and the New Jersey State Police Marine Division to assist.

3 Divers Rescued by Honolulu Lifeguards After Boat Motor Malfunction

2/25/23 – Honolulu, HI

Three divers in the water in the North Shore area were rescued on the afternoon of 25 February after the motor on their boat malfunctioned.

The Honolulu Emergency Services Department said it received a call from the divers at around 12:30 p.m. They were about 500 yards from shore near Alligator Rock, when the motor on their 10-foot boat malfunctioned.

Honolulu Ocean Safety (HOS) lifeguards responded via watercraft and towed the boat with the divers on it to shore.