Coast Guard vessel hits pleasure boat, killing boy

[MindPilot]

Source: San Diego Union-Tribune

SAN DIEGO — An 8-year-old boy was killed and five others were injured, some seriously, when a Coast Guard vessel responding to an emergency call struck a pleasure boat during the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Sunday night, authorities and witnesses said.

The 33-foot Coast Guard vessel hit the smaller, 24-foot boat, which had 13 people on board, about 6 p.m. near Harbor Island, said Jetta Disco, a Coast Guard spokeswoman.

snip

The accident occurred during one of San Diego’s longest-running and highest-profile holiday events. More than 80,000 people had been expected to watch the 38th annual procession of lighted boats from anchored vessels and from the shore.

Read more: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/20/Child-dies-crash-SD-Bay-Xmas-parade/

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Oh no!!! That poor kid and his family, and everyone else involved.

[hayu_lol]

2. Some of the comments following the news clip...

were totally out of line. A tragedy? You bet. Coast Guard boat hit a powerboat while on an emergency call. Lots of extra lights causing distraction and boats anchored to watch the parade.

Some of the comments from the link really attacked the Coast Guard...just as some DU'ers perpetually attack their homegrown police departments. Uncalled for.

When the CG gets a call, they must respond--they do not have to return and many have not.

Hope they get the info they need to settle this one. Worst thing is that a kid died.

[MindPilot]

4. Clearly there will be more come out as the investigations proceed.

But based on eyewitnesses on the local news, the CG vessel was making about to 20 knots on its way to assist a boat that had run aground. Too fast for conditions if true and just because they are the Coast Guard doesn't mean they are blameless.

[Bette Noir]

8. The Coast Guard are good, hard-working, heroic folk,

and I respect their work and their courage.

I do, however, reserve the right to perpetually attack the LAPD, which are a bunch of corrupt hoodlums. If you think they're not, I invite you to try to live in LA.

[Rebubula]

14. As someone...

...that lived in LA for 3 years...I would take a confrontation with LA cops ANYDAY over a confrontation with various gangs and thugs.

Bash the cops all you like....they are there because much more evil people roam the streets.

[WriteDown]

3. 24 foot boat with 13 people on it???

As an old boater, that is insane.

[MindPilot]

5. From what I understand that is within the legal capacity of that boat.

And they were anchored.

[WriteDown]

9. That is still insane.....

The biggest boat I've owned has been 33ft and I wouldn't even put 10 people on that. Even more than 7 would have been crowded.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

11. Depends on the boat and what it is placarded for

[WriteDown]

16. Click on the article for a picture of the boat. nt

[CBGLuthier]

6. Coast Guard fucked up

If the smaller craft was anchored then what other explanation other than the Coast Guard fucked up can there be?

Seems the Coast Guard is ignoring safe boating concepts.

[peace13]

10. The Coast Guard like Homeland Security does not have to obey the laws of the people.

Homeland Security runs without running lights on Lake Erie and the Detroit River. Go figure. Scares the hell out of people who are following the law.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

12. Don't jump the gun on this

Most small power boaters are ignorant of the rules of the road and have little or no training. There are rule for proper lighting when anchored. Not clear if they were followed.

Its a tragedy about the death of a child. I am sure the Coasties are feeling it too.

[Bette Noir]

7. So sad.

I've been to that boat parade. So sorry it went badly, this time.

[Tailormyst]

13. The coast guard risk their lives on a regular basis to save lives.

I am sure the crew are devastated by what happened. Sometimes things are just tragic accidents. How heart-breaking for all involved.

[peace13]

15. Funny, according to CNN...

'A total of 13 people were on board on both vessels, and all people are accounted for," said Maurice Luque, a spokesman for the Fire-Rescue Department.'

That paints a different picture. The 33 footer would have had at least 4 crew members.

[Drum]

17. Jetta Disco? n/t

[tomm2thumbs]

18. can't judge entirely, but usually accidents between moving and non-moving vehicles

are the cause of the moving vehicle. To every rule, there is an exception and this may indeed be one.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

20. A key data point will be if the boat was showing the correct lights

My personal experience has been that most small power boaters do not really know the maritime rules of the road. Only the jet ski and sail boards are worse. My mindset is that no one should operate a boat, including sail boards, with out some sort of nautical rules of the road training.

[Sgent]

23. I'm not sure that a sail board has to show any lights

wind and human (row boat) powered vessels under 7m must have a flashlight, but aren't required to display other lights.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

25. My comment was intended to be more general than just this incident

The jet ski and sail board crowd seem to think they are not subject to maritime rules of the road. Sail boarders a bit more so that jet skiers.

Small power boaters tend to be a bit more careful and a reasonable fraction have taken the Power Squadron course.

I'm not for regimentation on the water. One can still have all the fun they can stand and still follow the basic and common sense rules.

[liberal N proud]

19. Accidents like this can kill the future of such celebrations

Hope not, this was a neat event for the San Diego area.

[truthisfreedom]

21. Such a very sad story.

Heart-wrenching.

[hayu_lol]

22. In the comments section of the linked article...

the formula is given for determining the number/weight of people on board. Apparently the powerboat was maybe at the limit but not beyond it. Dunno from the info given, if all had the required lifejackets/flotation devices on.

Anchor light is a very small white light, 25 watts or so, on a short mast above the highest part of the vessel. Info given so far does not indicate if anchor light was working or on.

Sounds like the Coast Guard was doing their best to respond to an emergency in a very crowded area. Sad that a boy was killed.

[BrightKnight]

24. A $20 radar reflector might have prevented this and should be

required anywhere that is not purely small pleasure craft.