The Mt's wild ride!!

[jlrm73]

We made reservations long ago for last night's cruise on the Mount (fabulous 50's with Annie and the Orphans) for my mother's birthday. On the ride there, we could barely see with the sheets of rain and wind and leaves blowing around. I thought (hoped ) surely they would cancel; their website says they only cancel for hurricanes and tornadoes. I thought maybe the weather last night would force a cancellation! Upon arriving at the ticket booth, we were informed that they were sailing, and that if we canceled, we would only be refunded a day cruise. So, we decided (all 8 of us) to go with it and board the ship.
I could not believe the conditions on the lake! I have been out there many times in a "chop", but this was amazing! When we got out near the broads, we watched the lights on the shore going uuuupppp, then dooowwwnn, and people were pretty much glued to the windows, and even the crew was saying they had never seen anything like it. I was ready to swim in to shore, many people were half joking about where the life jackets were. We made a turn, and we were really "rockin' and rollin'", the pictures on the walls were moving, things were falling off tables, and all of a sudden a gentleman in a wheelchair and his companion went rolling when the boat rocked violently, and the man tipped over sideways in his wheelchair onto the floor, along with the woman who tried to save him. He hit his head on the table leg, the table tipped, and another man got soaked with coffee, wine, and whatever else was on the table. It was surreal. My boyfriend, along with other guests, helped pick up this man (who was strappped in the chair) and his helper. People were so upset. Annie and his band were sitting on the floor, waiting for it to calm a little. A crew member brought down a broken window from upstairs, and the band that was playing upstairs stopped playing.
The crew members were running around; the purser came out to make sure everyone was ok, but the mood soured for the evening.
I am a little disappointed in the management, knowing the conditions on the lake last night, and seeing the almighty dollar instead of the safety of the passengers and crew on the boat, and not cancelling the cruise.
We, as passengers, trust in their judgment, and I believe an error was made in deciding to cruise last night! They should have just stayed at the dock. Didn't know if anyone else was on the boat last night, or heard of the craziness!

[GWC...]

We made reservations long ago for last night's cruise on the Mount (fabulous 50's with Annie and the Orphans) for my mother's birthday.
Wow!!! A birthday to remember....

Sooooooo, how was the birthday cake?

[Weirs guy]

Wow, when we saw them going out I was surprised, but figured they knew best.

[secondcurve]

JLRM73:

Did the cruise line at least offer you a ticket for another cruise? Do you have an idea how big the swells were?

[ITD]

Ah yes, the almighty dollar trumps common sense once again.:rolleye1:

Hope no one was hurt....

[jlrm73]

Nope, not one mention of a refund/ticket to anyone! I figured they would, too...
I am glad no one was seriously hurt, but we are all still talking about one wild ride--and a memorable birthday for my mother!!!:eek:
I heard someone say the swells were 8-10 feet!!!! The ride got worse and worse as time went on. I could see the waves out the window, but I didn't go out because of the spray, and the wind was slamming the doors shut, you could barely get them open!

[secondcurve]

JLRM73:

If I were you, I would be on the phone on Monday morning demanding a refund. It is absolutely amazing that the folks in charge of the cruise line weren't handing out free passes when the boat got back to port. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. Whoever authorized that boat to go out last evening clearly made a huge mistake. As ITD mentioned previously, unfortunately it is all about making a buck.

[Dave R]

Sounds like an awful night, sorry you folks had such a lousy time. Oddly, I think I would have really enjoyed the weather out there; bet there's others on here that would have as well...

Guess I'll go out on a limb and say the boat handled the weather like it was supposed to so why would they need to feel compelled to offer a refund? I think a refund would be in order if the cruise was cancelled, but thier cancellation policy was clearly stated prior to the cruise. I don't think any cruise lines offer refunds for wind waves and rain unless they cancel, but I don't know for sure.


I think the unfortunate man in the wheelchair should have decided against taking a wheelchair on a boat in terrible conditions. I do hope he's OK.
Prior to when the boat turned boradside to the waves, did the captain or any crew announce that the boat was going to roll and that pasengers should brace themselves? They should have.

One could counter that the almighty dollar is what compelled the passengers to take the cruise as well...

[KonaChick]

Yes it is unfortunate that people got hurt and I hope everyone is doing better and hopefully got away with only a bump or a bruise. I think the lesson here is know what you're getting yourself into. Be prepared for anything and if their website states that they only cancel for hurricanes and tornadoes well.....don't be surprised when they follow through with their terms and conditions. I think if I were that afraid to begin with about the conditions I might have opted out with the refund of a Day Cruise. My well being wouldn't have been worth that trip. Once again I hope everyone who was injured is recovering and enjoying the rest of this beautiful New England weekend!!

[carguy]

Sounds like an awful night, sorry you folks had such a lousy time. Oddly, I think I would have really enjoyed the weather out there; bet there's others on here that would have as well...

Guess I'll go out on a limb and say the boat handled the weather like it was supposed to so why would they need to feel compelled to offer a refund? I think a refund would be in order if the cruise was cancelled, but thier cancellation policy was clearly stated prior to the cruise. I don't think any cruise lines offer refunds for wind waves and rain unless they cancel, but I don't know for sure.


I think the unfortunate man in the wheelchair should have decided against taking a wheelchair on a boat in terrible conditions. I do hope he's OK.
Prior to when the boat turned boradside to the waves, did the captain or any crew announce that the boat was going to roll and that pasengers should brace themselves? They should have.

One could counter that the almighty dollar is what compelled the passengers to take the cruise as well...

Dave R:

I am in agreement with you 100%, especially your last paragraph. I am sorry that I was not there. Riding the lake on 8-10 foot swells sounds like fun to me. I have been caught out on that Lake on some very rough days, especially at this time of year in 21' boat, and I must admit it was a little scary. But to have the opportunity to have ridden out a big blow onthe Mount would be priceless to me.

[Weirs guy]

I think the unfortunate man in the wheelchair should have decided against taking a wheelchair on a boat in terrible conditions.

I think if it was my company I'd have recommended he not get on board. While I agree it may have been a great ride, where does the companies liability lie? If his wheelchair slips on the ramp down to the boat the company is most likely responsible for damages, but once he's on the boat they aren't? It'd be interesting to hear Skips opinion on all this.

[lfm]

I too agree with Dave R. that a wild ride sounds like fun. I do think that the crew had a responsiblility to ensure the safety of all of their passengers and should be prepared to do so for disabled as well as able bodied passengers.

This story reminds me of a group fishing trip off the coast of SC last summer. We had been bottom fishing for a while, and I the horizon grew very dark. We were fishing from the pulpit and one of the mates pointed out a water spout off the bow, along with a squall line of storms. Shortly the Captain announced that the weather was deteriating so we would have to pick up and head for home, which incidently was directly into the storm.

Well to make a long story short(er), while most of the 50 or so passengers were turning green in the cabin while seeking shelter, my son and I enjoyed Mothers Nature show from the stern getting thouroughly soaked by the spray as the boat pounded its way home, and then enjoyed the fresh water shower which rinsed some of the salt off once we entered the deluge of rain.

$102.00 tickets for the trip for my father-in-law, myself and my son.
$20.00 for dry T-shirts for the ride home.
$6.00 I lost on the first fish, biggest fish, most fish bet with my companions.
An adventure provided by Mother Nature shared by three generations - priceless.

[jlrm73]

Glad I got you all talking...(I think).
Like I said, it was a memorable birthday!!!
And no, I won't request a refund/another ticket; I would have taken one if offered, but I am not going to make a stink! You are right Konachick, if we were that scared, what's $39? We just thought it wouldn't be THAT exciting!
It was a cheaper bar bill, though, since you already felt the glow with all that rocking!:laugh:

[Mr. V]

"Eight to ten foot swells?"

You gotta be kidding me.

Any verification of this?

[SIKSUKR]

Wow!Being a weather nut who lives for wild weather,I would have loved being on that cruise!Glad everyone is ok.

[Island Girl]

I just would have loved that ride!!!

[Grant]

That's the second cool Mount story I've read on the Forum (the first being WinnDiver's harrowing tale of a near-miss when surfacing from a dive).

8-10 foot swells on the Broads? Yow. Wonder what kinds of junk made it's way onto the dock...

[kchace]

Anybody get pictures?

[SAMIAM]

I,also vote that you give them a break and forget about the refund.That was an exciting adventure....think what fun it will be to tell that story at cocktail parties to the wide eyed wonder of all that are listening.I find the "Mount" a little boring and would have loved to out there that night.I've never SEEN waves big enough to throw that boat around YEE-HA

[secondcurve]

It seems a lot of folks here would have liked to have been on the Mount to experience the rough weather. I can understand this perspective, since most of those who would have enjoyed the "adventure" are experienced boaters. However, please remember that a large portion of the guests that night were little old ladies who had no idea what they were about to get into. With the weather so wild, I am sure that many of the attendees didn't enjoy the "dinner cruise". If I were running the business, I would have given each of my guests a pass for an alternative date and then I would have had a stern talk with the rocket scientist who decided to go forward with the "cruise".

[Dave R]

It seems a lot of folks here would have liked to have been on the Mount to experience the rough weather. I can understand this perspective, since most of those who would have enjoyed the "adventure" are experienced boaters. However, please remember that a large portion of the guests that night were little old ladies who had no idea what they were about to get into. With the weather so wild, I am sure that many of the attendees didn't enjoy the "dinner cruise". If I were running the business, I would have given each of my guests a pass for an alternative date and then I would have had a stern talk with the rocket scientist who decided to go forward with the "cruise".

That's a really good point.

I bet the roughness took the crew by surprise too. Perhaps they now have a different policy...

[jlrm73]

Yes, good point secondcurve and Dave R, and most of these nice little old ladies were helping to pick up the items in the gift shop that had crashed on the floor afterwards! We all had a good laugh, or pretended to, after.
Some of the crew even verbalized they had "never seen this before!!!!"
And from the looks in their eyes, we believed them!

[GTO]

I,also vote that you give them a break and forget about the refund.That was an exciting adventure....think what fun it will be to tell that story at cocktail parties to the wide eyed wonder of all that are listening.I find the "Mount" a little boring and would have loved to out there that night.I've never SEEN waves big enough to throw that boat around YEE-HA

I'm sure the passengers on the Titanic and Poseidon were thinking the same thing. Can't wait to tell about this at our next cocktail party Rose.

[SAMIAM]

Good point Secondcurve....unfortunately,I would have probably fit right in.

[LuvTheM/VBearII]

Seems to be a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking going on here, at least as far as the decision to go ahead with the cruise Friday night. The Mount has been out in worse weather and higher swells (they were 6 to 8 feet, not 8to 10). There was no reason to assume that the Big Boat wouldn't handle the ride just fine, therefore, there was no reason to cancel the cruise and disappoint the hundred or so people who had bought tickets. Would it be the smoothest cruise ever? Nope, probably not. Anyone from Lakes Region who was on that boat would have known full well that it had the potential to be a rocky ride. And as far the little old ladies from out of town, they could all see the rain and waves and hear the wind. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to add that up and come to the conclusion that things could be bouncin'. The crew was professional, responded immediately to all issues and acted in the best interest of all the passengers. Bottom line, no one was hurt and lots of people thought it was great! Sign me up for a cruise any day (especially a wild one!).

[jlrm73]

Swells 6-8 ft, rather than 8-10...sorry. Like I said, I didn't see the swells for myself, but heard it from someone who went outside. I was looking out the windows, (couldn't really see from them either) and they looked darn BIG! :eek:
I only started this thread for a few reasons: (1) to tell of my adventure (from the eyes of someone who was almost wiped out by a man in a wheelchair and his companion--my boyfriend and friend got the brunt of that), as well as my friends' and family's adventure; (2) to see if anyone had an opinion of the decision to cruise (not on this forum! yikes :D ); and (3) to get y'all talking! Did it and I am happy!!! yippeeeeeeeeeeeee!
I said also in my post that the crew responded and asked if we were ok.
(I also said they were amazed at the events of the night themselves!)
Maybe a change in route, or something to that effect would have been a better decision by the Mt. I know on the website it says cancellations only for hurricanes or tornadoes, but maybe after what happened on Friday, a change in policy could be in order. I do know many people cancelled on Friday night, and we, as a group, made the decision to go. I also think many people wouldn't cancel because of the money they spent on the ticket, and the chance to see Annie and the Orphans on their last cruise of the season. To some people, $78 for a couple for a night out is an expense that isn't easily tossed away. You can just hope as a passenger that the professionals that are on the Mount and the lake (in different conditions) day after day, make the cruise safe.

[loony]

I know that you can access ocean wave/sea height information on the web. Does the marine patrol have such equipment say, out in the broads?

I think it would be very useful for those with smaller boats to help pick the "days" to cross the broads. I know that the wheather is somewhat unpredictable and you could still get in trouble, but knowing in advance would help reduce the probability.

How about a broads-web cam?:look:

[GWC...]

I know that you can access ocean wave/sea height information on the web.

How about a broads-web cam?:look:

I dunno? Is there?

http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/

http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/IslandCam_00001.jpg

[GTO]

And as far the little old ladies from out of town, they could all see the rain and waves and hear the wind. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to add that up and come to the conclusion that things could be bouncin'.


So I'm sure there were quite a few older people onboard that night. Maybe some that have never been on the lake before. Not knowing how the conditions could possibly get. So are you to tell me that as your boarding the boat at the dock that the conditions at the dock are the same as the conditions in the broads? Cause I can tell you, I have been in smooth water near barbers pole and when I came out into the broads going towards Wolfboro, I hit 5-6 foot swells a couple of years ago. I turned back, didn't take the chance. I'm sure alot of rocket scientists would have kept going

[catman2]

Hi gang........I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth regarding the boat ride last Friday night. First of all I want to say I was with the group who started this post so I saw what they saw.

I have to say the crew were very helpful upon boarding the boat. The helped anyone who needed assistance and welcomed us onboard. It was raining and windy at the time and I knew we were in for an interesting night. We were on the main deck.
I am a lifelong resident of the area so I am familiar with the lake and the kind of weather that can come up. I did ask if they had a cancellation policy and was told I could save it for a day cruise. But, being a yankee and having bought 3 tickets, I still wanted to go...after all, the day cruise would not be a dinner/dance cruise and I really wanted to see the band. (Annie and the Orphans!)
I'm not sure why the captain decided to go through the broads knowing it would be rough and not just go towards Meredith and Moultonboro etc. That would have been my choice. However I'm not sure if the are rough spots out there as well.
Regarding the older people and those with handicapped people, they may have been "from away" and had no idea how rough it could get out there. There were some announcements made but some were hard to hear. I'm sure most people thought it would be a little windy and that would be it.
To clear a few things up, the swells easliy could have been 8-10 feet with out question. I looked out the window a couple if times and it was interesting to see. I have been on the ocean and this was not unlike an ocean cruise.
And there WERE people injured so to say "no one got hurt" is an understatement........I bet the man in the wheelchair had some bruises as well as his caretaker who also fell. The band also stopped playing and sat down holding on to the equipment etc. There was a least one broken window upstairs which was taken out and replaced but I have no idea if anyone in the upstairs area were injured. I believe there was physical and mental damage...........I bet that was the last ride for a few folks.
Me? Well I'm kinda crazy like that and I considered the cruise an adventure but I would have liked to have seen it in the daylight!
My biggest complaint was that it was cold on the boat.....heaters not working? The company was good, the food was good and the band was good. Things could have been done differently for sure.
In my opinion, it's kinda 50/50. On one hand the crew has to take ultimate responsibility for the safety of the passengers and on the other, people have to decide if it's worth losing the money or dealing with the weather. As i said, I'm too cheap to lose the money...........if we went down I would've grabbed the prime rib and held on for dear life..........:eek:

[GWC...]

Hi gang........I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth regarding the boat ride last Friday night. First of all I want to say I was with the group who started this post so I saw what they saw.

I am a lifelong resident of the area so I am familiar with the lake and the kind of weather that can come up. I did ask if they had a cancellation policy and was told I could save it for a day cruise. But, being a yankee and having bought 3 tickets, I still wanted to go...after all, the day cruise would not be a dinner/dance cruise and I really wanted to see the band. (Annie and the Orphans!)

I'm not sure why the captain decided to go through the broads knowing it would be rough and not just go towards Meredith and Moultonboro etc. That would have been my choice. However I'm not sure if the are rough spots out there as well.

I am a lifelong resident of the area so I am familiar with the lake... I did ask if they had a cancellation policy and was told I could save it for a day cruise. But, being a yankee and having bought 3 tickets, I still wanted to go...after all, the day cruise would not be a dinner/dance cruise and I really wanted to see the band. (Annie and the Orphans!)

I don't get it!?!?!?

P.S. - Annie and the Orphans will be playing October 28th, on land, no less; but you already know that, being ... a lifelong resident of the area...
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2006-10-28&e=1490&c=1

http://www.playgolfne.com/pr/

[catman2]

:) Gee....I musta hit a nerve....sorry! Not sure if it's worth explaining. I thought this forum was to have a little fun and share info not bash the newcomers!
Just relax GWC...........life's too short to get all worked up over.........it was just a story of a boat ride and not meant to anger you. Have a nice evening........
:confused:

[Resident 2B]

Catman2,

Great to have you on the forum and thanks for the excellent post about your night on the Mount.

I am a weather nut and I wish I was aboard. However, it is unfortunate that there was an injury or two. I was also surprised they went out on the broards with such strong NW winds. The winds might have made Meredith Bay a poor choice due to having to turn the vessel in rather tight surroundings, but cruising around the Bear Island area might have been a better choice.

Best regards,

R2B

[carguy]

What if the Mount had taken a course of following the southern shore of the Lake down the Broads, and made a left hand turn at the eastern end of Rattlesnake Island and headed back towards the Weirs between Parker Island and Rattlesnake Island on the Broads? That would have been a real wild ride. Maybe she took that course? I am sorry that I missed the ride, and would have loved to have made the trip during daylight hours.

[Weirs guy]

Good news for everyone who would have liked to have taken last Fridays cruise, we may have a repeat tomorrow night if the forecast holds true. Buy your tickets now!

[Paugus Bay Resident]

Tomorrow night is the annual Halloween cruise. We'll be there :D Gusts to 50 mph and lots of rain. Should be interesting.

[Coolbreeze]

Remember folks...women and children first. Guys take your place at the bar until your number is called. Wear your water wings.
I wish I could have experienced this wild ride too.

[Resident 2B]

The big difference this weekend will be the wind direction. It is looking like strong to gale winds from the southeast. However, northwest and southeast winds cause similar effects, just waves from a different direction.

It should be "A Night to Remember!" :eek:

Sorry for the bad pun.

Best regards,

R2B

[carguy]

The big difference this weekend will be the wind direction. It is looking like strong to gale winds from the southeast. However, northwest and southeast winds cause similar effects, just waves from a different direction.

It should be "A Night to Remember!" :eek:

Sorry for the bad pun.

Best regards,

R2B

R2B:

Hmmm, a Night to Remember, is it going to be cold enough to have an iceberg on the Lake?

[Resident 2B]

Carguy,

Hopefully, no iceburg and a much better result for all on board. That was a very calm night, not the weather situation for tomorrow on the broads.

Great response, you got it!

Best regards,

R2B

[GWC...]

For those who need to be fore warned...

Something for your reading pleasure...
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/data/txtprods/BOX/AFDBOX

Something for your viewing pleasure...
http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/dopplerradarusnational/index_large_animated.html

Tomorrow's forecast...

http://images.intellicast.com/WeatherImg/CustomGraphic/fcstmap48.gif

[Airwaves]

Okay, all of this talk about the Mount and her "wild" ride has finally got my curiosity peaked!

If anyone can answer these questions, please do;

First of all, the questions have NOTHING to do with the Mount's latest adventure!

1. I know that the Mount is owned by a private entity. What about the dock space at the Weirs, etc? I wonder this because if I were to hit powerball and wanted to set up a competing tour boat would I be able to use the same areas?

2. Does anyone still "own" the names and/or designs of vessels that have sunk and have not been on Winnipesaukee for decades?

3. Finally, what are the rules and regulations for large vessels that accept passengers for hire on Lake Winnipesaukee?

Anyone?

[jlrm73]

I can't answer Airwaves' questions, but...
In case anyone was wondering...I myself am going to be home with my head under the covers tonight, NOT on the Mount!
Maybe next summer...
hee hee:)