Fell off bow and hit by prop

Great Lakes

Great Lakes

Well-Known Member
Oct 11, 2016
1,446
Lake St. Clair - Michigan (MacRay Harbor)
Boat Info
2008 - Formula 400ss
Engines
Volvo Penta D6-350
I have a pretty nasty photo of a guy that fell off the bow of a boat (his feet were dangling off side) and the props got him in the arm and torso.

I don’t know if I can post it though. What’s the rules for this? The guy is still alive and will recover fully.

However I feel like there’s been a lot of talk on here about not letting guest on the bow while underway. Usually a strong photo says a lot and will stick with you

Let me know if I can post it
 
scoflaw said:
Also illegal in the 2 states I boat in
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19 states have universal motorcycle helmet laws...

I don't think a picture is going to fix the problem.... The people that know it's wrong/dangerous will get justification... The people that do it will say they are smarter or won't happen to them.... You can't win.

The states that don't have helmet laws.... Most riders don't wear them. I don't agree with government dictating my decisions.... But sometimes it's necessary because you can't fix stupid.
 
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Great Lakes said:
I have a pretty nasty photo of a guy that fell off the bow of a boat (his feet were dangling off side) and the props got him in the arm and torso.

I don’t know if I can post it though. What’s the rules for this? The guy is still alive and will recover fully.

However I feel like there’s been a lot of talk on here about not letting guest on the bow while underway. Usually a strong photo says a lot and will stick with you

Let me know if I can post it
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Sound like a public service announcement. I know I'm not popular when I say no to people riding up there, but, Im here for your safety first and foremost.
 
Totally agree.....no reason for people standing on the swim platform while the boat is being docked. They are right above the props and a distracted Captain would chop 'em up if they were to slip in. Stay in the cockpit. I would never say anything because I am a "live and let live" type and most people do not take constructive criticism well.
 
Great Lakes said:
...or when the wife is on the bow or platform while docking. News flash, you’re useless trying to stop a 20,000lb boat.

Keep your wife in the cockpit gentlemen!
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Huh? Hmm...my wife is on the bow every single time I dock. I come in at about .0658 knots and I can assure you she does a lot for all 120lbs of her. And in fact she does direct the boat away from the center pylon from time to time....of course your mileage may vary.
 
Quint4 said:
Totally agree.....no reason for people standing on the swim platform while the boat is being docked. They are right above the props and a distracted Captain would chop 'em up if they were to slip in. Stay in the cockpit. I would never say anything because I am a "live and let live" type and most people do not take constructive criticism well.
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I'd agree on the swim platform bit. I would not feel comfortable with someone being back there. But the bow...at docking speeds? It's probably safer up there then it is standing next to me when I start to have a nearly-botched approach to the slip :)
 
I say post it, but as a thumbnail. Let people click on it if they want.

I'm firmly in the no riding on the bow camp. I let my kids sit on the cabin steps at idle speed, but that's behind the windshield.

Last week I took a bunch of family on a ride with another boat. I had to transfer a couple kids to my boat when the other one had some engine trouble. I was asked if we could put some kids on the bow so everyone could see the sights. I was not popular when I firmly said NO, absolutely not. Much better than someone falling off though.

The only exception is sometimes I allow my wife or myself on the bow at final approach to pick up a mooring.
 
Great Lakes said:
Absolutely not. Why would she need to throw a line from bow?
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I agree ...When the boat is in the slip and stopped then go up to the bow and it's usually me. If I can't dock the boat on my own ...I won't park in a slip.. I have heard and seen too many things go wrong.
 
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I see no problem with a line handler on the bow, at idle speeds, in normal conditions. My point is people on the platform when the boat is backing into the slip. It is pointless and asking for trouble in my opinion.
 
Great Lakes said:
I have a pretty nasty photo of a guy that fell off the bow of a boat (his feet were dangling off side) and the props got him in the arm and torso.

I don’t know if I can post it though. What’s the rules for this? The guy is still alive and will recover fully.

However I feel like there’s been a lot of talk on here about not letting guest on the bow while underway. Usually a strong photo says a lot and will stick with you

Let me know if I can post it
Click to expand...
This happened recently nearby and the poor guy actually lost his leg from the mid thigh up.
 
My next door neighbors son was killed by a prop. I think it was in Alabama about 10 years ago or so. Not sure of the details but I do know he died from it and I think it was from his own boat with somebody else driving. The neighbor (mother) died last year but the ladies daughter (sister of the one killed) lives beside us now but I'm not about to ask her the details.
 
Yep, that person is lucky to be alive and will have some nasty scars for life. I'm curious as to the facts of the incident. My guess is that it didn't happen while docking...
 
Properly designed boats allow you to handle lines and such from the bow -- they tend to be flat with wide side decks. Unfortunately, many of today's designs are "rounded" and can lead to obvious problems.
 
Woody said:
You never let your wife throw a line?
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My wife is on the bow every time we approach a dock. But to answer this question, no, I NEVER let my wife throw a line. Driving the boat is my job. And if I can’t get the boat up to the dock, under complete control, so she can HAND the line to the dock attendant, then I have no business driving a boat.

As for the OP’s thread, I’m with the others here that suggest there’s more to the story. This is not the outcome of a slow speed dock maneuver.
 
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