It was only a matter of time

[Timeflys]

For those of you that watch Haulover Inlet traffic on YouTube:

I was always amazed at the speed that some boaters transited the cut….sometimes with no other traffic (fine), other times with the unpredictable behaviour of seadoers, or smaller runabouts trying to overcome the waves.
In this case, imo….both operators are to blame …. the Searay captain carrying too much speed and having his visibility restricted by a sup on the rails and a foredeck cushion propped up.
Seadoers acting without regard for other traffic, going in circles and other unpredictable maneuvers in a high traffic area. In fact, I think the Searay tries to go between the seadoos and rather than veering away, the seadoos do a quick 180 and one actually turns back into the sSearay and hits the hull.

 

[Golfman25]

Jet ski Fing around in an inlet -- not smart. Let Darwin sort it out.

Jet skier totally at fault. You need speed to transit an inlet. Vessels are supposed to maintain their direction -- in or out. These assclowns, changed direction right into the path of the sea ray. Got what they deserved and got lucky at the same time.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Jet skis always at fault. Like skeeters, annoying and serve no purpose.
But i like when they are out on the river. Cops are on them like white on rice and ignore boats.

 

[Soulshine]

I saw that and would have thought of a better way to transport the board. That said, the jet skier was hot dogging around and got bitten.

The previous day there was another similar but worse incident where again the jet skier had his head up his ass as usual.

I know some folks here have skis, but as boaters I assume your head is where it belongs. My experience with jet skiers is that their maneuverability coupled with their FU attitude makes me dread them.

The mosquitoes of the boating environment.

 

[b_arrington]

I saw that and would have thought of a better way to transport the board. That said, the jet skier was hot dogging around and got bitten.

The previous day there was another similar but worse incident where again the jet skier had his head up his ass as usual.

I know some folks here have skis, but as boaters I assume your head is where it belongs. My experience with jet skiers is that their maneuverability coupled with their FU attitude makes me dread them.

The mosquitoes of the boating environment.

The "before" part of the video was very short and zoomed in too much to really get a good read on what the PWC was doing in the moments before the collision. But it looks like the PWC was headed to the left of the frame and the boat would make a stb to stb pass. Then the PWC suddenly changed direction flipping around right in front of the boat, which directly precipitated the collision. No traditional boat can avoid that.

The boat operator did seem to be both going a bit fast and cutting it a close to another vessel (if you want to call a PWC that). But the actions of the PWC operator seemed to be the major contributor to the incident. It seems to me there's no room to be messing around in that inlet; anything other than a straight transit through is risking collision, impeding navigation, and should be banned.

All watercraft operators have an obligation to keep a lookout. The captions said the boat operator claimed he didn't see the PWC he struck. That likely doesn't hold water with the law because you have to maintain a lookout. However, he may have had a better defense if he claimed he was maintaining his course and speed with due regard for the conditions when the PWC made a sudden course change into his path.

In short, anyone zipping around on a PCW in that inlet with other boats around is asking to get hit. And all others have to be super careful because of the idiots. "Stupid is as stupid does."

 

[Soulshine]

Yes indeed.

Most boats seem to need to fly through there to deal with the current and sloppy waves. The slow pokes often get swamped at the stern by followers.

I'll take my lake boating any day.

 

[Timeflys]

Most, I think, like to power through with their CCs that have quads and quints on them and pose for the cameras!

And here’s another close call from the 4th….at around the 4 minute mark.

 

[Soulshine]

I think that was the one from the 3rd that I mentioned. No way the captain could have seen or avoided that one.

I think the best thing about piloting a large and heavy boat is the fact that while you'll do all that you can, the other guy is going to fare worse in most cases.

 

[Stee6043]

I think that was the one from the 3rd that I mentioned. No way the captain could have seen or avoided that one.

I think the best thing about piloting a large and heavy boat is the fact that while you'll do all that you can, the other guy is going to fare worse in most cases.

I'd put my money on them sharing equal amounts of liability in this situation. I could even see it going 60/40 or 70/30 against the Sea Ray driver. The Seadoo was driving recklessly but the Sea Ray failed to avoid a collision.

Can that bar be crossed safely at a much lower speed than the Sea Ray was traveling? If the answer is no than the Sea Ray probably shouldn't have decided to enter at that moment...

Just my two cents...

 

[Scott215]

People don't know how to ride jet skis that's the whole problem they got too much power too quick they cannot control them

 

[Golfman25]

I'd put my money on them sharing equal amounts of liability in this situation. I could even see it going 60/40 or 70/30 against the Sea Ray driver. The Seadoo was driving recklessly but the Sea Ray failed to avoid a collision.

Can that bar be crossed safely at a much lower speed than the Sea Ray was traveling? If the answer is no than the Sea Ray probably shouldn't have decided to enter at that moment...

Just my two cents...

How did he fail to "avoid" a collision -- The sea doo ran into him.

 

[Creekwood]

Its pretty clear to me that the second jet skier turned back into the side of the Sea Ray. He was not paying attention to the oncoming boat and was focused on wake jumping. It would be great if he was charged with something to act as a deterrent for some others.

 

[Stee6043]

How did he fail to "avoid" a collision -- The sea doo ran into him.

Ha...yes. But it sure looks like the Sea Ray had eyes on both Sea Doo's initially, both in front of him and heading toward him. The captain was standing tall in the window. He never slowed even with the other Sea Doo right off his starboard bow heading toward him, he (allegedly) lost sight of the Sea Doo on his port side and then the idiot Sea Doo turns into him. He should have never continued at that speed into that mess. He obviously had the ability to control his vessel at a far slower speed 'cause he did so for the next 10 minutes in that very location

Surely I wasn't there but I assume the Sea Ray captain was trying to "teach them a lesson" by getting as close as he could. And it didn't work out. Can you imagine as a rational captain that your first reaction is to start arguing with the Sea Doo rider vs going back to help the dude he just hit? I hope he was sober.

My jr bacon cheese burger bet says the Sea Doo's get tickets for reckless driving (I assume that's a thing on the water?) but the Sea Ray has as much liability, or more, for the collision. That dude made a really bad decision continuing forward at that speed...he's lucky he didn't kill someone, IMO.

 

[Golfman25]

U

Ha...yes. But it sure looks like the Sea Ray had eyes on both Sea Doo's initially, both in front of him and heading toward him. The captain was standing tall in the window. He never slowed even with the other Sea Doo right off his starboard bow heading toward him, he (allegedly) lost sight of the Sea Doo on his port side and then the idiot Sea Doo turns into him. He should have never continued at that speed into that mess. He obviously had the ability to control his vessel at a far slower speed 'cause he did so for the next 10 minutes in that very location

Surely I wasn't there but I assume the Sea Ray captain was trying to "teach them a lesson" by getting as close as he could. And it didn't work out. Can you imagine as a rational captain that your first reaction is to start arguing with the Sea Doo rider vs going back to help the dude he just hit? I hope he was sober.

My jr bacon cheese burger bet says the Sea Doo's get tickets for reckless driving (I assume that's a thing on the water?) but the Sea Ray has as much liability, or more, for the collision. That dude made a really bad decision continuing forward at that speed...he's lucky he didn't kill someone, IMO.

us lake boaters never get to experience it, but you need speed going thru those inlets when they are snotty. And it’s those same snotty conditions that attract the jet skis like flies to chit. Not a good combination. Why it’s legal to loiter in an inlet is beyond me.

 

[Timeflys]

Can that bar be crossed safely at a much lower speed

Fwiw….not really a bar but an inlet connecting the Intracoastal near North Miami Beach to the Atlantic….made popular due tidal action and wind combinations…apparently, there is no speed limit because of the current but yeah, I think he was carrying too much speed for the traffic.

 

[Golfman25]

Fwiw….not really a bar but an inlet connecting the Intracoastal near North Miami Beach to the Atlantic….made popular due tidal action and wind combinations…apparently, there is no speed limit because of the current but yeah, I think he was carrying too much speed for the traffic.

He's not if everyone is simply coming or going. It's the jet ski aholes who are changing direction all over the place.

 

[Scott215]

It looks like the guy on the jet ski was going to turn around making a right hand turn and didn't know that boat was right there it's his fault

 

[Flyer5]

I ride jetskis a lot. Love them. Been in areas with a lot of boat traffic. I can out maneuver any boat. I feel the ski rider is most or completely at fault. The boat could have slowed, yes. But should not need to. The idiot on the ski hit the boat. The more maneuverable vessel is the one to yield or get the hell out of the way. I can turn 180* in 1/2 second. If I get hit on my ski it is because I had my head up my ass.

 

[Stee6043]

The more maneuverable vessel is the one to yield or get the hell out of the way.

That's...not true at all. It would be logical, yes, but it's not true. Both vessels have an equal obligation to avoid collision.

Here's a few of the rules the Sea Ray broke (as did the Sea Doo):

 

[Flyer5]

That's...not true at all. It would be logical, yes, but it's not true. Both vessels have an equal obligation to avoid collision.

Here's a few of the rules the Sea Ray broke (as did the Sea Doo):

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I understand that. But my statement is for real world. The dumbass on the jet ski not only didn't follow rule 8 he did just the opposite. The boat operator was on that course and heading from pretty far out.If you are on a smaller vessel such as a jetski. Get the hell out of the way. Go out in NY harbor and do that on a jetski or any small boat and you will be water taxi millings. Those guys do not deviate for anything. And they are moving. There is the book and there is reality. Reality the guy on the jet ski did everything wrong.