Lake Lanier (North Georgia) tradgedy (might be Pirates of Lanier Poker Run related?)

[WillySteve]

Sign Wavers is the only out!!!!
We had to sign them for years at the larger drag racing events. You don't sign, you can't attend.......You do sign and you are releasing all liability to the event and it's organizers!!!!
It's been that way for years!

[JPEROG]

There is some detailed information from eye witnesses on other sites. I have been in attendance/participated in 4 different events that have equaled 9 losses of life "all poker run with the bigger boats" and 1 at the shootout. It is a very low point in life when you see people killed doing what you are passionate about. It also takes the entire atmosphere of the event and deflates it for the masses. The boats and bikes that people are able to buy in todays world will run circles around the stuff that used be considered fast, and when these mechanical things are not respected, it becomes deadly. I really wish that boating and motorcycling events didn't have the alcohol factor (I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS WAS THE CASE AT LANIER) but every year that I sit at Capt. Rons, Camden, or Dog Days for the shootout and watch the amount that is consumed along with the all of the big power that is on tap it makes me cringe. Living in Daytona and attending all of the other major bike rallies over the years I have witnessed the same thing on land and with two wheel riding friends. That being said, the families of all involved are in my prayers and everyone reading this needs to think about all of people that would be affected if you were suddenly taken. Don't be selfish, where a jacket when its appropriate and don't be on the bars or on the wheel if you have been drinking please.

Joe

[JPEROG]

Sign Wavers is the only out!!!!
We had to sign them for years at the larger drag racing events. You don't sign, you can't attend.......You do sign and you are releasing all liability to the event and it's organizers!!!!
It's been that way for years!

That would be great if it were that simple. Ask John from SBI or Mark from Smoke on the Water-all of the racers and or participants in their events signed multiple release forms and they still have their lives side tracked and twisted with lawsuits from surviving family members, business associates, and friends of the deceased. We aren't talking about injury cases.

Joe

[WillySteve]

The biggest problem with accidents at events is that Lawyers have gone from being a family's best friend, like back in the 50's-70's to there being one on every street corner......hungry.....and they've evolved into nothing other than Used Car Salesmen....suing anybody for anything.....but you can't denigh a man's signature on a waver!!!!!

[JPEROG]

The litigious society that we have created makes me ill. Its not just the lawyers-it takes people to hire them or allow them to pursue the case. All of my family knows that if I am killed during a race that I was there on my own desire and there should be no suits filed on my behalf-its a discussion that needs to take place so that your wishes are known.

Joe

[moparbarn]

It's a class of people that sue for no good reason that I have named "I'm not my fault" - and I mean that in NO way related to the incident that is the subject of this thread! The loss of lives is awful, & the fact that they were fellow hot boaters just makes it worse.

[tux974]

Very, very sad...... Prayers for all involved!!

Tragic. It can all happen in the blink of an eye. Kill switches and safety vests folks....Please!

Amen to that!!
Unfortunately I have personally been there, made the mistake and paid the price, Thank the lord above I'm here to type this....It's not the boats fault!

Anyone in ANY state is at risk when you organize a gathering, and every tragedy like this just increases the liability exposure both in real court and the court of public opinion.

People dying at these "fun" events is a far too frequent occurrence. While driving high performance boats is incredibly fun and exciting, more people need to realize it's not an amusement ride and swimwear is not appropriate safety gear. This is serious business with serious consequences for mistakes.

Pete, very well put!!
~Trying to ring a boat out with passengers on board is also a terrible and irresponsible idea.
~Trying to make very fast passes close to other boats is also a very bad idea!
~Now days many of these boats are running some amazing #'s so that brings the potential for an accident that much higher.
~Last I feel posting pictures of a boat after an accident/indecent is never a good idea.
~All above is my personal opinion!

[delawarerick]

Prayers and thoughts to those involved and their families.

[TooStroked]

That would be great if it were that simple. Ask John from SBI or Mark from Smoke on the Water-all of the racers and or participants in their events signed multiple release forms and they still have their lives side tracked and twisted with lawsuits from surviving family members, business associates, and friends of the deceased. We aren't talking about injury cases.

Joe

X2 on these points. I talked to Mark at length about what he went through and what he passed on to me led to many changes in the way our club (the Rochester Offshore Powerboat Association) organizes and runs our events. Unfortunately, the lawyers are going to have a field day with this one. And no matter what rules an organization puts in place to try to keep people safe, stuff happens. Would PFD's (life jackets) have saved anybody on this boat? That's hard to say. Remember, you can roller skate on water at 60 MPH. Getting thrown out of a boat at 100 MPH plus requires more than a life jacket to survive.

The biggest thing we all need to remember is that four good people lost their lives the other day - needlessly. Think about that next time you're going fast in your own boat.

[Double Rigged]

There is some detailed information from eye witnesses on other sites. I have been in attendance/participated in 4 different events that have equaled 9 losses of life "all poker run with the bigger boats" and 1 at the shootout. It is a very low point in life when you see people killed doing what you are passionate about. It also takes the entire atmosphere of the event and deflates it for the masses. The boats and bikes that people are able to buy in todays world will run circles around the stuff that used be considered fast, and when these mechanical things are not respected, it becomes deadly. I really wish that boating and motorcycling events didn't have the alcohol factor (I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS WAS THE CASE AT LANIER) but every year that I sit at Capt. Rons, Camden, or Dog Days for the shootout and watch the amount that is consumed along with the all of the big power that is on tap it makes me cringe. Living in Daytona and attending all of the other major bike rallies over the years I have witnessed the same thing on land and with two wheel riding friends. That being said, the families of all involved are in my prayers and everyone reading this needs to think about all of people that would be affected if you were suddenly taken. Don't be selfish, where a jacket when its appropriate and don't be on the bars or on the wheel if you have been drinking please.

Joe

Joe, I agree with you. Just spent the weekend with Jim, Scott Porta and others. Drinking was kept to when the boats where done for the day. One other thing to remember is we all are very comfortable while driving our boats and need to realize when we run fast with guests on board they may not understand the risks they are taking or feel scared. I had my daughters friend on board all weekend and we never broke 60 mph while she was on board.
Very sad to see things like this happen.
Safety Gear is paramount and being responsible is the other. Believe me when you ask guest to put on a lifeline it hits home this is no fun ride.
Thoughts and prayers to them and their friends.

[JPEROG]

10-4 Ron, people in general have no clue. Its like someone tubing for the first time "all fun until things fail"-

Joe

[Instigator]

10-4 Ron, people in general have no clue. Its like someone tubing for the first time "all fun until things fail"-

Joe

Scary part is the couple in back. Think they knew/accepted the risk?

I remember a similar situation a few yrs back where a guy was showing off in a step bottom vee when it hooked and pitched the passengers and killed both.
These were two guys they just picked up on the dock that wanted a ride in their fast boat.

Driver didn't even know their names as divers searched for the bodies.

Just had this discussion w/a go fast buddy. Told him my wife went from hands in the air laughing in my STV at a 100 to having a serious look on her face after I made her start wearing her race vest, to no longer wanting to go fast after loosing a kid in a blow over at River Ranch.


As you said Joe, stuff is soooooooo fast these days, and the bigger stuff gives you a false sense of security/invincibility.

Docked by a guy at Lake Erie last weekend that had a 46' Cigarette w/twin 1350's!

[Tom Foley]

The exposure to risk is there , it has to be prepared for and respected no matter the size boat . Very sad for all involved .

[Risco]

What a sad story my condolences for all party's involved. We all know hi preforamce boating has is risk thats what makes it exciting. Statically speaking your 40 times more likely to be killed on Highway driving to the poker run.

[transomstand]

Statically speaking your 40 times more likely to be killed on Highway driving to the poker run.

The next time I'm within a millimeter of blowover, I'll use that stat to make myself feel better