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Does anyone have any information regarding the boating accident involving the Native Son that occurred off of Caneel Bay Sunday Night?
Any information would be appreciated. Thank you
Very sad 🙁
Here is the link
http://www.onepaper.com/stjohnvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1153547946
Pia
Thank you but unfortunately it doesn't say much.
I'll put money on it that it was the ferry captain fault. I can't tell you how many times I've been cut off by a Native Son ferry.
StuScott,
I wouldn't be so quick to judge anyone in this mess. Lot's of factors darkness. Speed possible impaired judgment I'd give the coast guard time to investigate. The pic does look like the Donzi was hit in the side but it may have been a case were he thought he could go fast enough to pass in front of the ferry or he simply may not have seen him. My guess this will end up being a case of a little wrong on both sides. Truly a tradegy either way.
They did recover the missing mans body.
http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1153548022
Didn't this Donzi have lights on it? It looks like it was completely run over.
Connie,
From the looks of the photo the boat was struck about amidships on the starboard side. If this is the case then the Ferry would have had the Right away. This is going under the assumption that both vessels were in open water in what is considered a crossing situation. In this situation the vessel with the boat to starboard is the give way vessel and is required to alter course to avoid collision. That said every captain has a responsibility to do everything in their power to avoid even a close quarters situation let alone a collision, which is why I said that I thought at least some of the blame will be placed on the ferry captain. Until the coast guard releases their findings it will be simply impossible to know for sure. Given that the dash and cabin roof are missing it will be difficult to determine if the Donzi had his lights on or not.
Jay
It's such a shame in general, but if he didn't have his lights on then that's a BIg problem. We have a boat and don't go out at night, but if we did, the first then we'd do is turn the lights on.
Unfortunately it's a bad accident., Too bad that either one of the boats/ships didn't just shut down because I'm sure that it was just awful for everybody involved.
The boat and ferry collided, anyone's guess who was at fault...can take a while to find out if ever. The go-fast boat was upside down and they were afraid to try to right it with out sinking it. The body of the deceased was found inside the Donzi later...tragedies often involve no lights, no sense, and no sobriety...The expensive search by SAR was launched due to not knowing the body was inside the boat....so everyone pays.
OUR WATERS ARE GETTING VERY CROWDED IN THE VI. THERE ARE NOT TOO MANY VESSELS OUT AT NIGHT BUT THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY ENOUGH THAT COLLISIONS ARE A SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE IF A PROPER WATCH IS NOT KEPT. LIGHTS ASHORE CAN MASK THE LIGHTS OF VESSELS BETWEEN YOUR BOAT AND THE LAND. SOME OF THE FERRIES HAVE TOO MUCH LIGHT IN THE WHEEL HOUSE AS DO POWER BOATS WITH BRIGHT DASH ILLUMINATION. CAPTAINS NEED TO MAINTAIN GOOD NIGHT VISION WITHOUT CABIN OR OTHER LIGHTS THAT DIMINISH THIS VISION ESPECIALLY WHEN SPEED IS INVOLVED. EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE NOT DRIVING THE PLEASURE BOAT YOUR'E ON, IT IS INPORTANT FOR ALL TO LOOK FOR OTHER VESSELS AT NIGHT. SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY THE NIGHT SKY.
HAPPY SAILING. CAPT CLARK S/V "WHITE WING"
