Fatal boat crash

**JBS** · 05-29-2022, 10:47 AM

This happened yesterday here in Savannah. Terrible accident to start Memorial Day weekend. Be careful out there guys.
https://www.wjcl.com/nowcast#
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/5-d...GFYNO5CBOWWTQ/

**LakeFever** · 05-29-2022, 11:12 AM

Tragic. Sorry to hear. My condolences to the family and friends

**Lake X Kid** · 05-29-2022, 01:18 PM

Boating brings its own different challenges (not encountered on land),
especially to novice (and season) boat operators.

Safe boating makes for a fun weekend.

**rgsauger** · 05-31-2022, 12:39 AM

This sickens me. Soooo sad. Mom, dad, two sons....all gone. The other driver got a Dui. This just sucks and is unconscionable.

**JPEROG** · 05-31-2022, 03:23 AM

Seems that this is the world that we have allowed to be created (drunk at 10:30 am !!). Add pot and prescriptions to the alcohol that has become so socially acceptable and we are at about a 50% chance of having other operators being able to react as expected. My condolences to the Leffler family and all that will be affected this is a total tragedy.

Joe

**JBS** · 05-31-2022, 03:29 AM

https://www.wtoc.com/2022/05/30/5-ki...-investigates/
Lots of info guys

**pcrussell50** · 05-31-2022, 05:32 AM

With liberty, there is the good with the bad. Boating has a special appeal to us liberty-leaners: no stop lights, speed limits, lanes. Just a wild free for all where incumbent with that is the need for eternal vigilance. Even drunk boaters should be spaced far enough apart that the vigilant boater should be able to avoid them. And for the most, it works. For the most. Tragedies due to a few moments of inattention can happen, will happen, and will continue to happen. It is part of the price of freedom.

Not defending drinking and boating, BTW. I’m almost a teetotaler. I drink maybe three glasses of wine… A year. (Not a typo) And nothing else.

-Peter

**JPEROG** · 05-31-2022, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by pcrussell50

With liberty, there is the good with the bad. Boating has a special appeal to us liberty-leaners: no stop lights, speed limits, lanes. Just a wild free for all where incumbent with that is the need for eternal vigilance. Even drunk boaters should be spaced far enough apart that the vigilant boater should be able to avoid them. And for the most, it works. For the most. Tragedies due to a few moments of inattention can happen, will happen, and will continue to happen. It is part of the price of freedom.

Not defending drinking and boating, BTW. I’m almost a teetotaler. I drink maybe three glasses of wine… A year. (Not a typo) And nothing else.

-Peter

I tend to agree with you as a person that doesn't boat and drink (I love the freedoms of boating). However, when stuff like this happens our elected officials always seem to want a new law in place that they think will solve the problem (i.e. speed limits). They now have sections of the St. Johns river down to 25 mph and it seems that they feel its appropriate (I don't). If people would follow the basic BWI laws then we would see less accidents and less laws continuing to be placed upon the responsible portion of society.

Joe

**WaterZebra** · 05-31-2022, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by rgsauger

This sickens me. Soooo sad. Mom, dad, two sons....all gone. The other driver got a Dui. This just sucks and is unconscionable.

DUI for starters. Add 4 counts of negligent homicide to the mix too. Driver will not see daylight for 25+ years, if at all.

**JBS** · 05-31-2022, 10:26 AM

I've ran that part of the ICW for years. It was a tight curve and low tide where the boats got together, not much room to navigate. I normally don't travel up there anymore because of all the congestion and wake zones. The DNR is doing a thorough investigation and has both boats at their facility.I will keep you posted on any updates. This ordeal will last for a while.

**AlliStan** · 05-31-2022, 06:50 PM

Thanks, JBS, for the information. I appreciate it and will be looking for any more information you may be able to post.

**bobby minis** · 06-01-2022, 02:28 PM

Well, as they say, seems to be more to the story. The boat with the family on board was a Rent-A-Boat. The skippr of the other boat who was charged with BUI supposedly has a liscence and is considered a capable boater. When all is said and done I think we'll find that the BUI guy had a beer or so and was not legally under the influence and that the Rent=A-Boat driver was at fault. No matter it's still a tragedy.

**Forkin' Crazy** · 06-01-2022, 04:39 PM

I won't even have a beer on the water. The Wildlife and Fisheries wardens hang out at the boat ramp at the end of the day up into the night complete with breathalyzers. They also cruise around doing safety checks.

And if you are on a pontoon boat.... Automatic check out.

**Chaz** · 06-02-2022, 09:02 AM

Rich people living on the I.C. waterway tried for years to get speed limits posted. For some reason they though their property line ended in France or the UK. Judge after judge enlightened them to the fact that most had a 10' easement at the water line that didn't belong to them.

They started hiring lawyers that made speeding boats owners "Manatee Murderers" (most are crushed by barges on the St. Johns) No, county, city, municipality or citizen wanted to be looked at as murderers .. so speed limits in Florida have been enacted ... more and more ... every year .. So yes .. there are speed limits ..

BUI .. a young man a couple blocks from me got one. It's just as bad as getting a DUI on the road. You also loose your drivers license if convicted. If you refuse the breathalyzer test, they take it on the spot. Your lawyer can file for a "work related" temp license.
In case of an accident .. if one operator is DUI - BUI .. that person is usually charged with the incident. Doesn't mean your guilty, just that the burden of cause is placed on you.

Stop lights .. right of way .. side of the ditch .. all in the "rules of the road" which is a law to carry a copy here in Florida. All boating stores have plastic laminated sheets .. for a few bucks.

Florida .. the gunshine state. Our motto is ;

Come on vacation, leave on Probation ...

**moatorbotin** · 06-02-2022, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by bobby minis

Well, as they say, seems to be more to the story. The boat with the family on board was a Rent-A-Boat. The skippr of the other boat who was charged with BUI supposedly has a liscence and is considered a capable boater. When all is said and done I think we'll find that the BUI guy had a beer or so and was not legally under the influence and that the Rent=A-Boat driver was at fault. No matter it's still a tragedy.

That seems like a pretty bold statement.