Accidents of the Week - March 16, 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.
Five Boaters Rescued by Coast Guard 23 Miles Off Florida Coast
3/1/24 - Marco Island, FL
Five boaters were rescued by the Coast Guard 23 miles southwest of Florida’s Marco Island, after their vessel reportedly experienced mechanical issues.
Five men reportedly left from Island Marina on a 30-foot boat early morning on 1 March. At approximately 9 a.m. on 3 March, the Collier County Sheriff's Office contacted Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders after hearing that the boaters had not returned when expected.
The following were missing until the Coast Guard aircrew spotted the boat around 1 p.m.: Juan Castro-Varela, Jorge Luis Flores-Curbelo, Jesus M. Valdes, Alberides Augusto Milan Perez, and one unidentified male. The boat crew was able to promptly locate and transport the men, along with their boat, to Island Marina.
A Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach boat crew and Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry collaborated in the rescue.
Man Hospitalized After Kayak Tips Over in Ohio Lake
3/3/24 – Fairfield Co., OH
A man was sent to hospital after his kayak tipped over at a lake in Fairfield County, Ohio, on the evening of 3 March, according to the Greenfield Township Fire Department.
Officials were called to a water rescue around 6 p.m. at Greenfield Lake, located just north of Lancaster, Ohio, after a report of a tipped over kayak. The Fairfield County dive team was deployed to the scene to assist in the search.
The man was located and taken to an area hospital. His condition was unknown at the time of going to press.
Boater Rescued from Vessel Stranded on Rocks
3/2/24 – Marrowstone Island, WA
One person stranded on a boat on the rocks on the east side of Marrowstone Island, in the Puget Sound, was rescued on 2 March. A second person on the boat swam to safety, according to a press release from East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR).
Dispatchers alerted personnel from several agencies about the problem just after 5 p.m. Saturday, the release said. EJFR units worked in conjunction with the Coast Guard to plan the rescue. A USCG fast boat and EJFR Marine Unit 7 stood by in vicinity while the USCG helicopter made the rescue. A USCG helicopter dropped a swimmer on the vessel and retrieved the boater by basket just after 6 p.m.
USCG flew the rescued boater to the Jefferson County International Airport. That person was evaluated by an awaiting EJFR Medic unit. The other boater was evaluated and declined aid. Dispatched to the scene were EJFR units Medic 6, Marine 7, Battalion Chief 11, and Engine 91 from Naval Magazine Indian Island along with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Boating Accident Sends 4 to Hospital, Including 2 Children
3/2/24 – Fort Lauderdale, FL
A boating mishap just off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, landed four people, including two kids, in hospital after emergency crews raced to the scene on the night of 3 March.
According to local news reports, the Police and Fire Rescue services responded to distress calls near Fort Lauderdale’s Middle River Drive and Northeast Seventh Street, where paramedics treated the victims before whisking them off to Broward Health Medical Center.
The rapid and decisive actions of the rescue teams ensured that the victims were given the care they needed swiftly, with local news reports confirming that two children and one adult had suffered minor injuries, while the fourth victim, an adult, was in critical condition. Nevertheless, a quick response from the emergency services was pivotal in ensuring the victims received the care they needed without delay. On-site treatment was provided to all before heading to the hospital.
Despite the successful rescue efforts, what had caused the accident remained a puzzle that the authorities were trying to resolve.
Teen Dies After Boat Crashes into Florida Dock
3/3/24 – St, Petersburg, FL
A teen ejected from a boat that crashed into a dock in St. Petersburg, Florida, was reported dead by officials on 3 March.
At around 4:30 p.m., authorities responded to reports of a boating accident near Bayshore Boulevard in St. Pete. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), United States Coast Guard (USCG), St. Petersburg Police Department, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) all responded to the scene.
Two 15-year-old boys, Collin Moorefield and Christian Tharakan, were on the 18-foot vessel when it hit a dock, according to FWC. The investigation revealed that both boys were thrown into the water.
Bystander Jumped onto ‘Full-Speed’ Boat, Killed Power
Local resident Jonathan Carlon hopped onto the 2024 18-foot Key West Center Console boat after it crashed for a second time into his seawall, four houses away from where the teens were ejected. "It was like something out of a movie, an unmanned boat going full speed at the seawall," Carlon said. "My immediate concern was I knew my wife and my daughter were outside. My daughter loves going on the dock."
Carlon said he quickly jumped into action and hopped over his fence, onto his seawall, "...off the seawall, into the boat and killed the power, turned the motor off, grabbed the anchor line and lassoed it around the neighbor's dock," he said. Carlon noticed a cell phone on the boat was still playing music. "At that point, it was very unclear how many people were on the boat originally," he said.
As the scene began to wrap up, an unknown man showed up. "The father of one of the kids came into the backyard. We didn't know who he was at the time. He asked if there was anything that he could do," Carlon recalled. "My wife, she was holding my daughter at the time, and she gave me my daughter, and she said, 'I have to give him a hug' and she hugged him, and you could hear them both bawling. It was heartbreaking."
Officials said Tharakan, the operator of the boat, was recovered from the water. The FWC, PCSO and St. Petersburg Fire Rescue said they searched for Moorefield who was found by a good Samaritan and a St. Petersburg Police Department Officer. The teens were taken to a local hospital, where Moorefield died, according to authorities, while Tharakan had non-life-threatening injuries.
TV Skipper Reported Dead After Outer Banks Boating Accident
3/4/24 – Outer Banks, NC
It was a sad day for the North Carolina Outer Banks fishing fleet, following an incident involving a vessel trying to navigate Oregon Inlet in the dark, early morning on 4 March.
The operator of that vessel was Capt. Charlie Griffin, according to the Facebook page for his boat “Reels of Fortune.” Known as “Griff,” he became known the world over after his appearances on the television show “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks”.
“It is with the deepest sadness we report that Charlie Griffin and his beloved dog, Leila, have passed away in a boating accident today,” the Facebook post said. A second person, whose name was not confirmed, was also reportedly on board the vessel at the time.
A U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson said they received a call about an overdue 30-foot recreational vessel around 11:35 p.m. on 3 March. The boat was transiting from Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach to Wanchese, North Carolina, with their last communication occurring around 6:15 p.m., somewhere off Nags Head, the spokesperson said.
The body, presumed to be Griffin, and his dog, were located sometime Monday morning along Pea Island. Another person onboard the vessel had not been located as of 4:00 p.m. on 4 March. The vessel was located about 70 yards off the breakers along Pea Island, with the cabin detached.
U.S. Coast Guard crews from Station Oregon Inlet continued to search on a 47-foot boat in the ocean, with local ATVs along the shoreline, while a Station Fort Macon cutter was en route to the area. Private vessels also searched the waters around Oregon Inlet, and people walked the shoreline to assist. A helicopter from Base Elizabeth City was also deployed, but could only conduct a limited search due to low clouds, fog, and moderate-to-heavy rain.
The Oregon Inlet sea buoy reported seas of around 5 to 6 feet and a water temperature of 51 degrees, while winds were east-to-northeast at 10 to 15 mph at the Oregon Inlet Coast Guard Station, around the time the vessel went missing.
Children Hospitalized, One Person Charged After Canoe Capsizes
3/1/24 – Franklin, NH
Two children were rushed to the hospital after a water rescue on 1 March that also sent one of the rescuers for treatment for hypothermia, and left one person facing charges.
According to a release published on social media by the Police Department in Franklin, New Hampshire, emergency services were called shortly after 4 p.m. on 1 March, when a man, who appeared to be wet, was screaming for help near the Franklin library. Michael Stewart of Franklin had been canoeing in the Winnipesaukee River with two children aged 3 and 5, when the vessel capsized and tipped all three into the water.
Responding to the scene were Franklin police officers Sgt. Forrest Walker and Officer Christopher Hart. Walker entered the river and was able to get to both children, handing them to Hart. Franklin Fire Department personnel provided treatment to the children.
Man Facing Charges for Operating Canoe While Intoxicated
One of them required an emergency airlift to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, while the other was transported to Concord Hospital-Franklin for treatment. Walker was also treated for hypothermia.
Stewart was charged with operating the canoe while intoxicated. “Other charges are expected,” the press release stated. An update to the press release, provided at 8:41 p.m. on 1 March, reported that the child being treated in Franklin was “conscious and interactive.”
Lightning Causes Boat Fire Off Florida Keys
3/6/24 – Key West, FL
The Key West Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to a boat fire just off Fleming Key before dawn on Wednesday, 6 March.
The boat was reported to have been struck by lightning and was fully engulfed when the fire boat arrived, according to City of Key West spokeswoman Alyson Crean. The vessel sank in shallow water before the fire was extinguished, Crean said.
No one was aboard the boat when the fire department arrived and there were no injuries reported. The boat was anchored west of Fleming Key, according to Crean.
The Coast Guard was investigating the blaze.