Accidents of the Week - November 25, 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.
Canoe Overturns Without PFDs Onboard, Man Drowns
11/13/23 – Hamilton Co., TN
Crews recovered the body of a man who went missing just after midnight on 13 November, near Tennessee’s Harrison Bay State Park. He and two other men had left the Harrison Bay State Park boat ramp by canoe, heading for Patten Island.
The canoe overturned with no life jackets onboard, leaving all three men in the water. Two of the men were able to swim to the island, where they built a fire to keep warm. A fisherman heard their cries for help and responded, calling for emergency assistance around 2:30 a.m.
Underwater Drone Used to Locate Body
The body was located at around 8 a.m. in seven feet of water, thanks to a Remote Operated Vehicle deployed by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. Officers of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), along with the Dallas Bay Fire Department, Hamilton County STARS, Tennessee State Parks, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (Drone Team, Marine Patrol Unit and Dive Team), assisted in search and recovery efforts.
The body was transported to the Hamilton County Medical Examiner’s office, and the incident remained under investigation, with the name of the deceased set to be released after next of kin had been notified.
Bay Area Firefighters Rush to Stop Boat from Sinking in Marina
11/12/23 – Petaluma, CA
Authorities rushed to stop a partially sunken boat from sinking completely in the San Francisco Bay Area’s Petaluma Marina, on the afternoon of 12 November.
At 1:12 p.m., Petaluma firefighters equipped with an oil spill response trailer and inflatable rescue boat arrived at the scene. They immediately assessed the vessel for signs of fuel or oil leaking and found none, according to a press release from the fire department. Nonetheless, firefighters deployed an oil containment boom to prevent any petroleum products from seeping into the Petaluma River.
It was not immediately clear what had caused the boat to sink, and the Petaluma Fire Department was not available to provide further comment, although firefighters said the marina manager was working closely with the owner of the boat to recover and remove the vessel.
No injuries were reported, fire officials said.
Seattle Police Search for Missing Indigenous Boater
11/11/23 – Seattle, WA
Seattle Police launched a search for a boater who went missing after leaving the Muckleshoot Tribal Boat launch on Washington State’s Duwamish River on 11 November.
The man, known as Albert, went out on a fishing boat that left from the launch at 121 South River Street and did not return. He was described as Indigenous, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, 180 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, and a gray beard. He was last seen at the boat launch at 1 a.m. on 11 November, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.
2 Men Rescued from Sinking Boat in Florida Waterway
11/14/23 – Martin Co., FL
Two men were rescued from a sinking boat in Florida’s Martin County after strong weather blew through the area, according to local deputies.
Choppy waters and high winds are what deputies believe caused a 15-foot skiff to take on water on the night of 14 November, the Martin County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook. It happened on the Intercoastal Waterway near Island Way.
Two men were on board the boat when it started to sink, but Marine Unit deputies were able to rescue them both before the boat completely went under. No one was injured.