Collisions at speed

[Bojangles]

If that's the case then perhaps the confined waters have equally good reasons for small boats not to go fast too? One's open but too bumpy, the other is flat but too crowded/ too many navigation marks/ too near to shore?

Think the accident in question was early morning, surely not too crowded, we're also happy to accept the risk of travelling at 70mph in a car only yards from bridges, tree's etc. No matter how experienced in a car, a blow out or someone else's mistake can end in tragedy. I'm sure many experienced folk in high speed craft are aware of the risks of speed, thankfully in this case, their proximity to shore helped a speedy recovery

 

[MapisM]

I'm sure many experienced folk in high speed craft are aware of the risks of speed

You can say that again.
Actually, I'd rather say that MOST of those folks are not only well aware of the risks, but are also capable to deal with them properly.
Then again, sh!t happens...
Nobody would argue that Ayrton Senna was an outstanding driver, just as an example.