63 ft Sundancer accident in Miami

No indication of the smaller boat having it's navigation lights on. I would hope the captain of the Sea Ray had enough experience to operate such a large boat. I know us and our friends with larger boats are pretty anal about night safety.
 
They seemed to focus on the SeaRay, with mentions of a sobriety test and speed zone etc, but no discussion about the Pro-Line being struck on the STARBOARD side...
 
RollerCoastr said:
They seemed to focus on the SeaRay, with mentions of a sobriety test and speed zone etc, but no discussion about the Pro-Line being struck on the STARBOARD side...
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I noticed that too, the SeaRay is already tried and convicted because he may have been at the party earlier.
 
I generally believe that the "hitting" party ends up being the one responsible in most anything in life (fights, wrecks, etc.).......your generally supposed to be "in control" of whatever is doing the "hitting" at all times.

jus sayin
 
This article is very one sided and while it doesn't come to a definitive conclusion, there is no way to determine who was at fault from the information provided.

If if the SR had the right or way and was operating responsibly it could be the other boater charged with this accident.

21 people on a 63' boat is a lot of people.
 
A recent local court (Vancouver) apportioned a 10% blame to the skipper of a vessel that was involved in an accident where the other boat was clearly in the wrong. The judge quoted a maritime law which stated that each vessel operator is to do everything possible to avoid collision despite who has the right of way. It's entirely possible that one of these two vessels could have changed course suddenly and without notice. I think they focused on the "Sea Ray" because it was likely the only one still floating when the story was pursued by the media the next day. It was the fastest pic they could take to get the story to market.
 
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That makes sense, and that's why the laws specify "stand-on vessel" as opposed to right-of-way. A stand-on vessel is expected to maintain course and speed while it is safe to do so, and take all possible measures to avoid a collision if necessary. (paraphrasing, but that's the idea)
 
As an outsider of Miami it seems like the Wild West with the holier than thou new sheriff making his mark "his way". Not to sound crass but Press sounds like a real crusader with his "culture if lawlessness" and "culture of drinkeness" comment. Is it that bad? I'm glad to see they are out protecting waters, but his words (which are his choice to an audience) make it sound like Sodom and Gomorrah.


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That IS a lot of folks on the boat!

i think SeaRay was the only name they could really read or see plus it was the bigger boat involved. It does seem the reporter has already placed blame on an accident that they knew very little about.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for those injured and prayers for the family of those lost.
 
Rollercoastr is correct, there is no such thing as right of way., and the priviledged vessel STILL has to do all it can to avoid collision
 
21 people on board the SR.... I don't care how sober you are with 21 people on a 63' how the heck can you pilot your vessel ???
 
The Bill Collector said:
21 people on board the SR.... I don't care how sober you are with 21 people on a 63' how the heck can you pilot your vessel ???
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I've had 17 people on my boat and managed to successfully pilot it. Even pulled skiers and boarders (technically only 16 on the boat while doing that). And I was able to dock safely. It just takes a lot of concentration. I've seen a 30' boat with only 3 people on it run over a bass boat and kill the driver. Point is that no matter how many people are on board. All that said, it is impossible to assess blame based on the lack of actual facts in that story. Tragic no matter who was at fault...
 
Woody said:
I noticed that too, the SeaRay is already tried and convicted because he may have been at the party earlier.
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Gotta whack the one percenters.

Feel sorry for all involved and would like to see the truth as opposed to the presses version of the truth.
 
The Bill Collector said:
21 people on board the SR.... I don't care how sober you are with 21 people on a 63' how the heck can you pilot your vessel ???
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I was just looking at the manual for the 58 Sedan Bridge and the maximum number of passengers is listed as 16. That 63' is probably over the limit of the number of people it could carry safely.
 
I'll stick up for the 630 on this one. Low center of gravity, HUUUUGE cockpit and tons more seating below... Depending on the level of obesity, inebriation and the layout of the boat (DA vs. SSS etc), 21 people may not even feel crowded.
 
So where's the smoking gun? No mention of any safety violations, the captain had a sobriety test and was not arrested. No mention of any light from either vessel. The smaller boat was hit on the starboard side going south. How does that happen unless he cut in from of the larger boat or they were passing each other on the wrong side.

Who cares about any of that, the SR had lots of people aboard and its a big boat so it's his fault.
 
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