boat accident

[ApS]

The Boston Globe usually won't permit me to read the article, but it did this time.

"Two people sustained minor injuries Sunday after they were thrown from a boat on Lake Winnipesaukee, officials said.

"Around 6 p.m., the New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol responded to a report of a boating accident in Wolfeboro, N.H. The operator of the 13-foot Boston Whaler, Stephen Young, 64, of Cumberland R.I., treaded water for “several minutes” after being thrown from the boat while trying to find his passenger, a 7-year-old boy who was wearing a life vest. Unable to find the boy in choppy waters, Young swam to shore for help. He was later taken to the hospital.​

"Police found the boy on shore around 6:30 p.m., officials said. He had “spent significant time in the water” before making it to land, the Marine Patrol said."

I received an email at 6-PM saying:

"We just had a news report of a boating accident off Thomas Point, Tuftonboro Neck, at the entrance to Winter Harbor last night, in fog after dark. Two people were thrown from the boat wearing life jackets, got separated, then eventually rescued, and the boat went around and around until it run out of gas."

I'm pretty sure I've seen this boat making runs between some like-minded kids and the Marriott Compound. It's 7:12-PM now on Lake Winnipesaukee, and there's plenty of light. I don't understand how such a busy location could miss such an ejection—especially on Labor Day Weekend.

I got off the water early today, 'cause the extended weekend started getting crazy—with violations everywhere—including our resident Chase scofflaw who raced his Donzi through the Libby Museum area at his usual weekend-top-speed.

It looks like I have to remove my recommendation of the Boston Whaler as a safe boat for Lake Winnipesaukee.

.

[FlyingScot]

Very glad they're safe.

But not surprised this is "under investigation"... Two people thrown from a Whaler at separate times? The man unable to locate the boy even while the man was still in the boat? Swims to shore alone?

[Billy Bob]

One incident with no details and you are going to trash the Whaler history for safe boats ?
Any boat can be a problem when handled poorly

[ishoot308]

Very glad it ended with no one hurt or dead! It could of been much different.... Thank God it didn't!...

Dan

[noreast]

Yes, That has to be the luckiest and best outcome I've ever heard from a boat accident with such a young child. That is amazing.

[rsmlp]

Originally Posted by noreast

Yes, That has to be the luckiest and best outcome I've ever heard from a boat accident with such a young child. That is amazing.

Impressive that a 7 yr old can swim to shore in rough water even with a life jacket on. Kudos to him/her! An experience they will never forget...

[Bear Guy]

Here's the WMUR story:
http://www.wmur.com/article/man-boy-...earch/12170642

PeterG, it appears the globe article is poorly phrased. WMUR makes it sound like both went in the water at the same time, and the elder treaded water trying to locate the child, before swimming to shore.

[BroadHopper]

Claims the water was cold and the child was treated for hypothermia?

[Lakemamma]

So glad they are both ok.

[FlyingScot]

Thanks, Bear! A much better recap than the Globe. WMUR also implies that the 64 year old was not wearing a life jacket. This, and the assumption that he was fully dressed in clothing that was pulling him to the bottom, might explain why he swam to shore without the boy.

[Patiently Watching]

I know the adult boat driver - he is a lifetime resident of Winter Harbor and very responsible. Not sure of the circumstances of the accident, however APS is dead wrong with regard to this boat making 'runs' and I would still say that Boston Whaler is a good safe boat.
Due to foggy conditions I understand the driver was unable to locate the boy in the water...

[Slickcraft]

In the laconia Sun today:

WOLFEBORO — A man and child were injured when they were thrown from their boat near Winter Harbor on Lake Winnipesaukee Saturday evening.
Wolfeboro Fire-Rescue and New Hampshire Marine Patrol were called about 6 p.m. Marine police report that Stephen Young, 64, of Cumberland, Rhode Island, treaded water for several minutes, trying to find his passenger, a 7-year-old boy. He was unable to locate the boy in the choppy water and made it to shore and to a home on Forest Road to get help. He was found at 6:15 p.m. and taken to Huggins Hospital, said Wolfeboro Fire-Rescue.
The boy, who was wearing a life jacket, spent a significant amount of time in the water, according to the Marine Patrol, but was able to swim toward land. Wolfeboro Fire-Rescue reports that the boy was found floating near the mouth of Winter Harbor at about 6:34 p.m. The child was then located by Marine Patrol at a home on Thomas Point in Tuftonboro. The child complained of what Wolfeboro Fire-Rescue called hypothermia but was not taken to a hospital. Tuftonboro Fire-Rescue did evaluate the child’s condition.
The empty 13-foot Boston Whaler, meanwhile, was traveling in circles and was secured by the New Hampshire Marine Patrol. Marine Patrol reports that the weather conditions were poor at the time of the accident due to low visibility and rough water, and is investigating the incident. They remind boaters of the importance of lifejackets and the use of an engine cut-off switch if the vessel is equipped with one. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call Officer Nicholas Boisvert at 603-293-2037, ext. 0.

[Woodsy]

The only thing the operator did wrong was not use his safety lanyard (kill switch). He shouldn't be crucified for it!

Woodsy

[Descant]

B W's have a long life span. Could this have been anolder boat that did not have the kill switch lanyard?

Any speculation as to how they both got "thrown" from the boat at the same time? I recall an instance a few years ago where a steering breakage suddenly sent a man overboard and left the boat going in circles.

gLAD TO HEAR NO IJURIES

[winni83]

Lord Almighty APS. Enough of the endless whining, complaining and pontificating. Did some almighty being die and appoint you Lord Of The Lake? Obviously some errors were made. Humans make mistakes; possibly you are the exception. And the 13 foot Whaler is a very safe boat.

[FlyingScot]

Woodsy/Winni83--I just reread all the posts, half expecting to need to apologize. But I do not think any of them are critical of the captain. Understanding mishaps is an important way to learn, and questioning is part of that. It's pretty standard marine practice.

[ApS]

Again, those hours reported by the LaDaSun are not "after dark". Each ended-up on opposite shores—the shorelines about ¼-mile apart.

Originally Posted by PeterG

Woodsy/Winni83--I just reread all the posts, half expecting to need to apologize. But I do not think any of them are critical of the captain. Understanding mishaps is an important way to learn, and questioning is part of that. It's pretty standard marine practice.

Yup. Two US Navy Destroyer Captains learned of their new desk jobs recently.

Originally Posted by Descant

B W's have a long lifespan. Could this have been an older boat that did not have the kill switch lanyard?

The Whaler I referred to earlier, had a Johnson 25-HP (?) outboard that had been affixed for several years. The boat recently got a replacement outboard of unknown lineage.

It occurred to me that particular Thomas Point shoreline has two extremely-long seawalls.

(Where the sailboat sank—last month). Hmmm.

Originally Posted by Billy Bob

One incident with no details and you are going to trash the Whaler history for safe boats?

A few years ago, I'd hailed the skipper of that 13' Boston Whaler that'd been making Winter Harbor "runs". The towhead-skipper appeared to be 10-11 years old, but seemed to accept my advice. That advice?

I suggested he adjust the trim, so his Johnson outboard wouldn't be trimmed so extremely high. Nothing changed. Nothing changed again when a new outboard got fitted recently.

Extreme trim such as in his outboard will cause extreme responses in handling.

Originally Posted by Billy Bob

Any boat can be a problem when handled poorly

Agreed—think it was that "slippery steering wheel"?

Originally Posted by Patiently Watching

I know the adult boat driver - he is a lifetime resident of Winter Harbor and very responsible. Not sure of the circumstances of the accident, however APS is dead wrong with regard to this boat making 'runs' and I would still say that Boston Whaler is a good safe boat. Due to foggy conditions I understand the driver was unable to locate the boy in the water...

"Responsible" would be to have PFDs on during inclement weather.

That said, I can't recall any operator of a 13' Boston Whaler inside Winter Harbor whose age would be over 21. It's a 13' Whaler that's hard to miss, as it makes repeated "runs" nearly every day.

>

[Patiently Watching]

APS - the authority on all things. I'm guessing he is sitting on the couch, alone, wolfing down Louie's Pizza and coming up with all sorts of theories on all things Lake Winni.

The boat involved in the accident this weekend is unrelated to the one making 'runs' and/or the towhead kids to which you refer. As for a PFD, yes it may have been a good idea however I and many other experienced boaters do sometimes have the lake without wearing one.

An adult driving a small Boston Whaler isn't so rare... My wife in her early 50's drives and loves her 13' 25hp Whaler. They are great boats, easy to drive, easy to maintain and will last a lifetime.

Rather than complain about everyone else, why don't you spend a little time picking up all the crap strewn around your hand-me-down lakefront home.

[Doobs41378]

Originally Posted by Patiently Watching

APS - the authority on all things. I'm guessing he is sitting on the couch, alone, wolfing down Louie's Pizza and coming up with all sorts of theories on all things Lake Winni.



The boat involved in the accident this weekend is unrelated to the one making 'runs' and/or the towhead kids to which you refer. As for a PFD, yes it may have been a good idea however I and many other experienced boaters do sometimes have the lake without wearing one.



An adult driving a small Boston Whaler isn't so rare... My wife in her early 50's drives and loves her 13' 25hp Whaler. They are great boats, easy to drive, easy to maintain and will last a lifetime.



Rather than complain about everyone else, why don't you spend a little time picking up all the crap strewn around your hand-me-down lakefront home.

Seems uncalled for....


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Patiently Watching

APS - the authority on all things. I'm guessing he is sitting on the couch, alone, wolfing down Louie's Pizza and coming up with all sorts of theories on all things Lake Winni.

The boat involved in the accident this weekend is unrelated to the one making 'runs' and/or the towhead kids to which you refer. As for a PFD, yes it may have been a good idea however I and many other experienced boaters do sometimes have the lake without wearing one.

An adult driving a small Boston Whaler isn't so rare... My wife in her early 50's drives and loves her 13' 25hp Whaler. They are great boats, easy to drive, easy to maintain and will last a lifetime.

Rather than complain about everyone else, why don't you spend a little time picking up all the crap strewn around your hand-me-down lakefront home.

As much as you may disagree I think you went too far with your response