Boat Sinks at Witches 8/1

OCDACTIVE · 08-01-2010, 11:34 AM

I just got a status update from one of my friends on facebook that a boat sank at the witches today. She said all she can see is the tip out of the water and there are a ton of MP's and on lookers. She said it might be a dive boat.

Anyone have the details?

Couple of Lakers · 08-01-2010, 12:30 PM

We were cruising by and took a few pictures. It looks like a crash and not a dive boat that was overturned. It appeared that there were divers (MP) in the water looking for something. One MP boat was driving away with a man in it that didn't look very happy. Maybe the boat operator?

Hope nobody got hurt. My guess was he was going too fast (and of course didn't know where he was) and hit some rocks just the right way to flip it. Looks like they will need a crane to get it out. It wasn't moving and looks like it came to rest on some rocks.

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Rinkerfam · 08-01-2010, 02:13 PM

Channel 9's website has the story, but there aren't many details. Sounds like there were 8 people aboard who all escaped injury.

Yankee · 08-01-2010, 02:18 PM

HOw can a boat sink when it's in/around a bunch of rocks?

Slickcraft · 08-01-2010, 02:36 PM

From WMUR web site

Quote:

8 Escape As Boat Runs Aground, Sinks

GILFORD, N.H. --

The Marine Patrol at Lake Winnipesaukee said eight people escaped injury on Sunday when a boat ran aground in a rock-filled area of the lake known as "The Witches."

The boat was named Lady-Go-Diver. After the eight people, including the operator, were pulled from the water, the boat sank.

Crews said it would take a crane to get the vessel out of the water.

Slickcraft · 08-01-2010, 03:50 PM

We just saw the boat being hauled out; it had been winched onto a large trailer with a high volume pump attempting to get water out faster than it came in through the hull. Slow progress trying to pull the rig out of the water.

The boat is good size, maybe 30' or more, fairly wide beam, Eastern type boat with what looked like a dive platform on the back. White enclosed cabin like many Easterns. The hull compromise was not visible with part of the stern still in the water.
Yes got photos but don't have the USB cord for the camera here on the island.

Boat looks like one in this link:
http://www.divewinnipesaukee.com/

Resident 2B · 08-01-2010, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

The boat is good size, maybe 30' or more, fairly wide beam, Eastern type boat with what looked like a dive platform on the back. White enclosed cabin like many Easterns. The hull compromise was not visible with part of the stern still in the water.
Yes got photos but don't have the USB cord for the camera here on the island.

Boat looks like one in this link:
http://www.divewinnipesaukee.com/

The name of the Dive Winnipesaukee boat is the "Lady Go Diva" very close to the name of the boat mentioned by WMUR. So, I believe this is their boat. At first when I quickly read their web site I thought they rented the boat "bare", but upon re-reading their web site, they do not.

Based upon their web site, they have scheduled dives on Sundays from 9 AM to 2 PM, so they would have been out.

Thank God all are well.

R2B

itchin for fishin · 08-01-2010, 05:48 PM

For the vast majority of the people on the lake who know the area, most may consider the witches adequately marked, however, IMO, even for a good boater who is new or newer to the lake, they can be easily missed in a sunny day with chop. For the level of hazard it is, you would think they could get buoy's like you see in the Piscataqua or even the size of the "no wake" cones at the Weir's channel. Do we need to wait until someone dies?

ITD · 08-01-2010, 06:45 PM

The only only problem with better marking is that there are literally hundreds of other areas that are just as dangerous should you not continually navigate and use a chart when not familiar with a part of the lake.

ishoot308 · 08-01-2010, 06:51 PM

I am pretty sure I saw the boat at the Glendale docks around 6:00 P.M. this evening. It had a large keel where the propeller shaft came out. There was a good section of this keel that was broken off and definitely where water would have come in. Some of the windows were also broken in the boat most likely from capsizing. This was a big boat with a lot of keel depth required.

Dan

sa meredith · 08-01-2010, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itchin for fishin

For the vast majority of the people on the lake who know the area, most may consider the witches adequately marked, however, IMO, even for a good boater who is new or newer to the lake, they can be easily missed in a sunny day with chop. For the level of hazard it is, you would think they could get buoy's like you see in the Piscataqua or even the size of the "no wake" cones at the Weir's channel. Do we need to wait until someone dies?

As someone who somehow became a bit disoriented a few years back , and ended up driving right into the witches "circle" at a high rate of speed (and somehow came out without a scratch) I have been singing this tune for quite a while. Although it is clearly marked on any chart, I think even a careful boater would expect nothing but open water after passing Governor's Island and heading out to the broads. It seems so wide open...and with any type of chop, or if you happen to come in at the right angle, the markers are indeed easy to miss. I have often thought something simple, like a golf fairway flag, placed in the circle would be much easier to see. And even the experienced Winni boater would become more comfortable. I'll say this...there is no way, after experiencing it once, it can ever happen again. Just no way that mistake can be made twice by the same person.

jrc · 08-01-2010, 08:32 PM

Let's face it, the NH spar bouys are tough to see in the chop or at night. I think switching to something fatter would help.

itchin for fishin · 08-02-2010, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrc

Let's face it, the NH spar bouys are tough to see in the chop or at night. I think switching to something fatter would help.

They seem to be going backwards on the markers. Think about the lighted buoys. Can anyone seriously tell me that the ones we have today are better than the ones we had 10 years ago. You cannot even see the number unless you are on top of it at the right angle.

SteveA · 08-02-2010, 05:17 AM

It was the boat from Winnipesaukee Diving of Wolfeboro.

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...917/-1/CITIZEN

Nobody injured.

VitaBene · 08-02-2010, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveA

It was the boat from Winnipesaukee Diving of Wolfeboro.

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...917/-1/CITIZEN

Nobody injured.

This line is in the Citizen article "everybody's fine, the boat's fine. Basically, it's an accident that happened."

The boat is fine??

Slickcraft · 08-02-2010, 06:37 AM

Here is a photo from the haul out showing minor damage top side. However as ishoot308 reported "There was a good section of this keel that was broken off and definitely where water would have come in".

With the boat completely flooded all the electronics are done for and the engine is probably questionable at best.

HUH · 08-02-2010, 08:48 AM

Get a map.. Slow down.. "That was easy"

Lakepilot · 08-02-2010, 04:56 PM

I've been by the witches, I don't know how many times. But every time, I'm amazed at how difficult it is too see the markers and why more people don't end up on the rocks.

Slickcraft · 08-02-2010, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VtSteve

Most would agree that the markers there suck. But many think that such thoughts are akin to sacrilege. But they do suck

FWIW department: This accident had nothing to do with the markers. The captain stated he was not paying attention and was distracted.

Easy to be distracted, lots of autos hit the gravel on the side of the road every day and no big deal is made of it if none are injured. Most avoidable accidents are due to lack of attention as the case here.

The witches are pretty easy to avoid on a clear day if you are paying attention so I don't think that state of the markers was the cause. Also that is a heavy boat and it would not take much speed at all to result in the damage. No injuries and with time and $$ the boat will be back on the lake.

4Fun · 08-02-2010, 10:00 AM

Funny thing I saw that boat near the withes Sunday and thought must be a nice place to dive.
On the way back my wife had to point out a marker I could not see right near the Witches. Not sure I would have missed it as I got closer but I can see how even an experienced boater can just "mess up"...

RI Swamp Yankee · 08-02-2010, 12:15 PM

I saw an AP story that said the boat name was Lady-Go-Diver. !!!

Resident 2B · 08-02-2010, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RI Swamp Yankee

I saw an AP story that said the boat name was Lady-Go-Diver. !!!

You cannot believe everything you read in the press!

R2B

RI Swamp Yankee · 08-02-2010, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resident 2B

You cannot believe everything you read in the press!

R2B

Ain't that the truth. AP couldn't even check for the correct spelling.

OCDACTIVE · 08-02-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RI Swamp Yankee

I saw an AP story that said the boat name was Lady-Go-Diver. !!!

The Union Leader has it as the Lady go Diva

Either way it was the Red Dive boat out of Wolfeboro. Luckily due to the captain's readiness and experience everyone had life jacket and was off within 2 minutes.

Reading the union leader comments it is disheartening that many are using this unfortunate accident and the misfortunes of others as a means to push an agenda to put a weight, length and HP limit on the lake.

Like we didn't see this coming. What a shame..

fatlazyless · 08-01-2010, 08:38 PM

"Join us aboard the Lady Go Diva every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday visiting our most popular sites as well as some of our hidden treasures. The Lady Go Diva is our custom built 30' Sisu capable of carrying 12 divers and their gear comfortably."

www.divewinnipesaukee.com

The website has a photo with a similar colored red hull.

Maybe they want to change the name from Lady Go Diva to Lady Go Sinka.......sorry....couldn't resist that one.....duh.....kabong...

Oh well....whatcha gonna do...accidents can happen sometimes even to very experienced boaters.....which is why they call them aicidents....whoops...make that accidents...or something

Very sorry to hear...and hopefully there was no personal injuries....

pwdcrownies · 08-02-2010, 04:26 AM

I agree with Itchin'...the markings are marginal at best. I grew up in the lakes region and am very familiar with the Witches but I still need to really look hard for these markers.

The concern is that this is a very busy area unlike some of the other dangerous spots. If the MP could just add a few more markers is would help. There seems to plenty of effort marking "no wake" & "no rafting" areas. Additional markers may safe a life or save the clean up costs that are involved with having a dozen MP's working the scene.

White Rook · 08-02-2010, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itchin for fishin

For the vast majority of the people on the lake who know the area, most may consider the witches adequately marked, however, IMO, even for a good boater who is new or newer to the lake, they can be easily missed in a sunny day with chop. For the level of hazard it is, you would think they could get buoy's like you see in the Piscataqua or even the size of the "no wake" cones at the Weir's channel. Do we need to wait until someone dies?

I agree. It should be better marked for the novice boater who may not be too familiar with the area. Yes, they should have maps, compass, etc however, if the additional markers or signs prevents even one tragedy, it will be worth it.

Couple of Lakers · 08-01-2010, 04:04 PM

The pictures we posted here we also forwarded to WMUR (Channel 9) with the lead. I e-mailed them first and then thought some might be interested here since I saw this thread. They posted them on their website and gave us credit for sending them. We didn't know exactly what happened and from looking at the scene could only speculate. They obviously followed up and got more details. The best thing is that nobody was hurt which seemed amazing looking at the scene.

Would like to know exactly how it played out. The boat was upside down and wasn't really "sunk" when we saw it. It looked like it was resting on rocks right below the surface. Must have been super scary for all those passengers.

Just a note, only 5 of the pictures were taken by us on WMUR. The others came from another source.

secondcurve · 08-01-2010, 02:12 PM

"She said it might be a dive boat."

No pun intended?

tummyman · 08-04-2010, 07:29 PM

I've got it.....lets use Flagmen like they have on the roads....with a Stop sign, Slow sign, and yellow vests. All joking aside, the markets for inland navigation are too small in diameter and colors are too hard to see. How about some of those hi vis green and red's on larger diameter tubes....like 8 inch diameter instead of the current 4 inch versions. At least the Marine Patrol could do an experiment, but I know that is asking way too much. And it would probably take an Act of Congress to change the navigation scheme, but they (Congress) don't do much anyway, so maybe this would give them something of quality to regulate before the midterms. Let's ask Sen Kerry to bring his new sail boat up in tax free NH to be a tester !!

08-01-2010, 11:34 AM	#1
OCDACTIVE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Myers FL / Moultonboro Posts: 1,045 Thanks: 444 Thanked 574 Times in 178 Posts	Boat Sinks at Witches 8/1 I just got a status update from one of my friends on facebook that a boat sank at the witches today. She said all she can see is the tip out of the water and there are a ton of MP's and on lookers. She said it might be a dive boat. Anyone have the details? __________________ Have you had your Vessel Inspected Yet?

08-01-2010, 12:30 PM	#2
Couple of Lakers Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 14 Thanks: 9 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Crash Pictures We were cruising by and took a few pictures. It looks like a crash and not a dive boat that was overturned. It appeared that there were divers (MP) in the water looking for something. One MP boat was driving away with a man in it that didn't look very happy. Maybe the boat operator? Hope nobody got hurt. My guess was he was going too fast (and of course didn't know where he was) and hit some rocks just the right way to flip it. Looks like they will need a crane to get it out. It wasn't moving and looks like it came to rest on some rocks.

08-01-2010, 02:13 PM	#3
Rinkerfam Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	Channel 9's website has the story, but there aren't many details. Sounds like there were 8 people aboard who all escaped injury. __________________ Education is hanging around 'til you've caught on - Frost

08-01-2010, 02:18 PM	#4
Yankee Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 150 Thanks: 19 Thanked 38 Times in 23 Posts	???? HOw can a boat sink when it's in/around a bunch of rocks?

08-01-2010, 03:50 PM	#6
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,296 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 2,080 Times in 952 Posts	Being Hauled out at Glendale about 4:15 We just saw the boat being hauled out; it had been winched onto a large trailer with a high volume pump attempting to get water out faster than it came in through the hull. Slow progress trying to pull the rig out of the water. The boat is good size, maybe 30' or more, fairly wide beam, Eastern type boat with what looked like a dive platform on the back. White enclosed cabin like many Easterns. The hull compromise was not visible with part of the stern still in the water. Yes got photos but don't have the USB cord for the camera here on the island. Boat looks like one in this link: http://www.divewinnipesaukee.com/ Last edited by Slickcraft; 08-01-2010 at 03:54 PM. Reason: add link

08-01-2010, 05:48 PM	#8
itchin for fishin Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 105 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Need to mark better For the vast majority of the people on the lake who know the area, most may consider the witches adequately marked, however, IMO, even for a good boater who is new or newer to the lake, they can be easily missed in a sunny day with chop. For the level of hazard it is, you would think they could get buoy's like you see in the Piscataqua or even the size of the "no wake" cones at the Weir's channel. Do we need to wait until someone dies?

08-01-2010, 06:45 PM	#9
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,925 Thanks: 476 Thanked 691 Times in 387 Posts	The only only problem with better marking is that there are literally hundreds of other areas that are just as dangerous should you not continually navigate and use a chart when not familiar with a part of the lake.

08-01-2010, 06:51 PM	#10
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,232 Thanks: 2,384 Thanked 5,277 Times in 2,051 Posts	I am pretty sure I saw the boat at the Glendale docks around 6:00 P.M. this evening. It had a large keel where the propeller shaft came out. There was a good section of this keel that was broken off and definitely where water would have come in. Some of the windows were also broken in the boat most likely from capsizing. This was a big boat with a lot of keel depth required. Dan

08-01-2010, 08:32 PM	#12
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	Let's face it, the NH spar bouys are tough to see in the chop or at night. I think switching to something fatter would help. Last edited by jrc; 08-01-2010 at 08:45 PM. Reason: Picture too big

08-02-2010, 05:17 AM	#14
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	from todays Citizen It was the boat from Winnipesaukee Diving of Wolfeboro. http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...917/-1/CITIZEN Nobody injured. __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

08-02-2010, 06:37 AM	#16
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,296 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 2,080 Times in 952 Posts	boat is not fine Here is a photo from the haul out showing minor damage top side. However as ishoot308 reported "There was a good section of this keel that was broken off and definitely where water would have come in". With the boat completely flooded all the electronics are done for and the engine is probably questionable at best. Attached Images

08-02-2010, 08:48 AM	#17
HUH Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 230 Thanks: 21 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	Again with the witches? Get a map.. Slow down.. "That was easy"

08-02-2010, 04:56 PM	#18
Lakepilot Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 446 Thanks: 70 Thanked 57 Times in 40 Posts	I've been by the witches, I don't know how many times. But every time, I'm amazed at how difficult it is too see the markers and why more people don't end up on the rocks.

08-02-2010, 10:00 AM	#20
4Fun Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 283 Thanks: 1 Thanked 66 Times in 38 Posts	Funny thing I saw that boat near the withes Sunday and thought must be a nice place to dive. On the way back my wife had to point out a marker I could not see right near the Witches. Not sure I would have missed it as I got closer but I can see how even an experienced boater can just "mess up"...

08-02-2010, 12:15 PM	#21
RI Swamp Yankee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: North Kingstown RI Posts: 688 Thanks: 143 Thanked 83 Times in 55 Posts	I saw an AP story that said the boat name was Lady-Go-Diver. !!! __________________ Gene ~ aka "another RI Swamp Yankee"

08-01-2010, 08:38 PM	#25
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,738 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,007 Times in 735 Posts	"Join us aboard the Lady Go Diva every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday visiting our most popular sites as well as some of our hidden treasures. The Lady Go Diva is our custom built 30' Sisu capable of carrying 12 divers and their gear comfortably." www.divewinnipesaukee.com The website has a photo with a similar colored red hull. Maybe they want to change the name from Lady Go Diva to Lady Go Sinka.......sorry....couldn't resist that one.....duh.....kabong... Oh well....whatcha gonna do...accidents can happen sometimes even to very experienced boaters.....which is why they call them aicidents....whoops...make that accidents...or something Very sorry to hear...and hopefully there was no personal injuries.... __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

08-02-2010, 04:26 AM	#26
pwdcrownies Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Amherst/SD Shores Posts: 13 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I agree with Itchin'...the markings are marginal at best. I grew up in the lakes region and am very familiar with the Witches but I still need to really look hard for these markers. The concern is that this is a very busy area unlike some of the other dangerous spots. If the MP could just add a few more markers is would help. There seems to plenty of effort marking "no wake" & "no rafting" areas. Additional markers may safe a life or save the clean up costs that are involved with having a dozen MP's working the scene.

08-01-2010, 04:04 PM	#28
Couple of Lakers Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 14 Thanks: 9 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The pictures we posted here we also forwarded to WMUR (Channel 9) with the lead. I e-mailed them first and then thought some might be interested here since I saw this thread. They posted them on their website and gave us credit for sending them. We didn't know exactly what happened and from looking at the scene could only speculate. They obviously followed up and got more details. The best thing is that nobody was hurt which seemed amazing looking at the scene. Would like to know exactly how it played out. The boat was upside down and wasn't really "sunk" when we saw it. It looked like it was resting on rocks right below the surface. Must have been super scary for all those passengers. Just a note, only 5 of the pictures were taken by us on WMUR. The others came from another source.

08-01-2010, 02:12 PM	#29
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,117 Thanks: 1,325 Thanked 559 Times in 288 Posts	"She said it might be a dive boat." No pun intended?

08-04-2010, 07:29 PM	#30
tummyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 833 Thanks: 256 Thanked 672 Times in 243 Posts	I've got it.....lets use Flagmen like they have on the roads....with a Stop sign, Slow sign, and yellow vests. All joking aside, the markets for inland navigation are too small in diameter and colors are too hard to see. How about some of those hi vis green and red's on larger diameter tubes....like 8 inch diameter instead of the current 4 inch versions. At least the Marine Patrol could do an experiment, but I know that is asking way too much. And it would probably take an Act of Congress to change the navigation scheme, but they (Congress) don't do much anyway, so maybe this would give them something of quality to regulate before the midterms. Let's ask Sen Kerry to bring his new sail boat up in tax free NH to be a tester !!