Idaho Offshore Cat Crash

[OnPad]

Took four days to find three of them, on the bottom of the river. Not to say their vests weren't ripped off on impact, but doubtful. I ain't going to argue any of the other points. Last thing I want, is law enforcement getting aggresive about the 50mph speed limit out there.

I live in a small community, where word gets around. I also drove by the site to and from work, everyday last week.

If anyone wants more info, it happened on the Pend Oreille river. The Spokesman Reveiw has a accurate write up on it.

[WaterZebra]

My argument for that is, where’s the rescue boat and are they trained to dive on an inverted boat, passengers strapped in, able/prepared to cut them out/rescue them??

I am willing to to PM you a story of an OB drag race legend (no names used) that went over, while playing, while strapped in, no one there to help.
He lived but it is an ugly story.

I used to run a fair sized race/rally and always had capsule boats show up.
We depended on local rescue people to cover us.
I ALWAYS made sure they, as in, drivers snd rescue people knew the risk before moving forward.

And then crossed my fingers and prayed.

Yeah.......there's a dark side to being strapped in. Had a Canadian friend who foolishly tested a Champ boat alone without any rescue. Barrel rolled and ended up inverted. By the time he was extracted, he had basically drowned. EMTs got his vitals going again. He spent 2 months in ICU.........then years in a nursing facility. Medical bills piled up. Wife left him (didn't sign up for that........can't blame her?) As far as I know, he's a mental vegetable today.

[Instigator]

My story was identical up to the permanent disability.

But the died then brought back part is same.

And I was running my deal I made it very clear with the drivers, particularly of risk involved, due to rescue crews capabilities.
Even trained rescue people, never having to extract a conscious, semi conscious, combative, victim strapped in!

Yeah.......there's a dark side to being strapped in. Had a Canadian friend who foolishly tested a Champ boat alone without any rescue. Barrel rolled and ended up inverted. By the time he was extracted, he had basically drowned. EMTs got his vitals going again. He spent 2 months in ICU.........then years in a nursing facility. Medical bills piled up. Wife left him (didn't sign up for that........can't blame her?) As far as I know, he's a mental vegetable today.

[H2OPERF]

I agree with Chaz any government involvement will be far reaching and ruin things for the rest of us.. Best we can do is pray for the families and learn from it. We have all seen this on evey kind of boat so its not just limited to 120+ mph cats. Wear good jackets, taking friends for a cruise keep it a cruising speeds. Gary i know what your thinking and yes i was stupid that day and im sorry .

[Instigator]

Not at all Dave.

All of us with any miles under our belts have done stupid things that we were lucky to get away with.

For me it is the thought of the responsibilities we bear of having friends/passengers with us.

I’ve read so many of these reports where innocent passengers have died after going for a ride.
I’m stuck with the thought of wondering if they had any clue of that risk when they accepted that ride?

I remember the cleaning the gear case off the bottom of my STV after hitting a log at 95 miles an hour with a best friend in the backseat.

He would never ride in my 100 mph Vector and I’ll never forget him saying after our accident that if we had been in my Vector it probably would’ve killed both of us.
And sadly I agreed with him.

That responsibility is 100% on us!
Not passing judgment on anyone past or present only trying to accept the reality and sadness of it all.
It reminds me of the HTM accident years ago that took out its founder and two of his friends in the same accident!

Was only a couple of months ago we lost the owner of the cat company down by you in an accident.

Several yrs ago, a fast offshore/poker run vee hooked/spun, ejecting and killing two passengers that just asked for a ride on the dock.
At time of accident, the owner/operator didn’t even know their names to notify next of kin!

For me, I accept that at 63, my tolerance of risk is changing.

These incidents only make it more difficult to accept.

Doing something stupid on our own is one thing, even though my wife constantly reminds of her place in the equation.

This guy went for a ride, took 3 friends, something went wrong, and killed all aboard!

I agree with Chaz any government involvement will be far reaching and ruin things for the rest of us.. Best we can do is pray for the families and learn from it. We have all seen this on evey kind of boat so its not just limited to 120+ mph cats. Wear good jackets, taking friends for a cruise keep it a cruising speeds. Gary i know what your thinking and yes i was stupid that day and im sorry .

[XstreamVking]

After being an active commercial captain for thirty years I can tell you that it’s always the captains fault. No if’s ands or buts...still terrible thing to see happen.

[TooStroked]

After being an active commercial captain for thirty years I can tell you that it’s always the captains fault. No if’s ands or buts...still terrible thing to see happen.

I absolutely agree with that statement. (The only qualifier I might add is the possibility of a mechanical failure.) I don't go fast in my boat with passengers aboard. I leave the explorations of warp speed to solo runs.

[AlliStan]

I'm deeply sorry for the loss of life, and the ensuing grief and pain.

But, I must not understand the term "offshore". I always understood it to mean offshore in the ocean. Idaho doesn't border any ocean. So, I assume it now means anywhere a boat is, that is not tied up to land. ???

[Jim Speros]

I have an offshore type boat but, use it in a lake. I agree with Xtremeviking. It's always the captains fault. I'll add to that too. Even if he's not driving. I have also learned no matter who is at fault the offshore fast boat is always presumed at fault and I operate mine accordingly.

[Instigator]

100% agreed.

Even on our cruisers I always understood that aspect.

Different risk, same potential result.

Its ALWAYS on the captains shoulders.

As to the term offshore, I am only relating it to style of boat.

You barrel a Fountain on the Ohio River, it’s still an offshore boat.
Operated on inland waters.

After being an active commercial captain for thirty years I can tell you that it’s always the captains fault. No if’s ands or buts...still terrible thing to see happen.