Deadly speedboat accident

[MapisM]

I'm not sure it's appropriate to put this stuff on youtube, but as long as it's there, it might at least warn some boaters unaware of speed risk.
Hoping that those two souls will RIP.

 

[petem]

Nasty. Wonder what caused them to be thrown out? Only looking from my phone so can't see if it's a covered cockpit. Even so, they would've been strapped in surely?

 

[Phildorset]

you're right, I don't think it really is appropriate to show a clip where somebody loses their life. Others may disagree, but to me it's too tough to watch (I didn't watch this clip, the still screen tells enough.)

 

[MapisM]

can't see if it's a covered cockpit. Even so, they would've been strapped in surely?

Aside from the video, all I know is this brief article, whose link I got from a US boating mate.
As I understand, neither the boat had a proper racing canopy, nor they were strapped in.
But crazy as it might sound, there are actually different theories about whether it's safer or not to use harness, in open boats.
They might well not have survived also if strapped, in fact.

 

[Freebee]

I think that's really bad taste I would no sooner want to watch this as watch a car crash.. we dont need to watch the graphic details to know that high speed boating is a dangerous sport!!!

 

[Mr Googler]

I don't think the clip highlights the dangers of boating at speed for the speeds most of us will travel. It's a bit like using an f1 crash to say "don't break the speed limit". I would just remove the thread MapisM. Can't get them all right.....I certainly don't!

 

[hunton69]

They were thrown out because of the change of direction the boat took as it hit the water. As there was no canopy they would not be strapped in.
At those speeds even with a canopy with that weight of boat it would have to be incredibly strong for it to stay in one piece.
I think the video does highlight the dangers and more research needs to go into safety for those type of boats.

 

[stelican]

I think that's really bad taste I would no sooner want to watch this as watch a car crash.. we dont need to watch the graphic details to know that high speed boating is a dangerous sport!!!

quite agree changes my perception of another forum member

 

[NorthUp]

I think that's really bad taste I would no sooner want to watch this as watch a car crash.. we dont need to watch the graphic details to know that high speed boating is a dangerous sport!!!

watching the video is optional- its not coming as a surprise, warnings of content well posted.
Is it any worse than the posted photos on the Cheeky Rafiki thread, showing a capsized hull sans keel? Four men died, possibly as a result of that keel failure. Where would one draw the censorship line?

 

[petem]

Is it any worse than the Donald Campbell Bluebird video? Both should have known the dangers of very high speed boating. Had the video had shown the aftermath I would certainly be less comfortable about it. As it is, I'd say borderline bad taste.

 

[MapisM]

I would just remove the thread MapisM.

Would that change the fact that someone uploaded the video and made it public domain?
I'm aware that it's a tragic event and none of us can change what happened, but I simply thought that in a mobo forum someone might have found the topic worth a bit of attention - as yourself and anyone else who commented so far did.
If an admin thinks it's appropriate to pull the whole thread, I have absolutely no objections.

PS: ref the video not being relevant for the speeds most of us are used to, I obviously agree in general, but many years ago I for one did a few rides with a much smaller (hence even more dangerous) cat at 3 digits speed, with neither canopy nor harness, and not even a helmet and a life jacket.
Stupid? Yes, guilty as charged.
But I never saw a video like this before doing that, and it might have been an eye opener.
Then again, 30 years ago, maybe not. Who knows...?

 

[longjohnsilver]

Seeing 2 people die rather spoilt my evening, I would suggest the vid is removed, nothing to learn for the average boater.

 

[MapisM]

LJS, I understand and respect what you (and others) are saying.
I just hope that anyone who was disturbed by the video was not expecting, after my title and my OP comment, to see yet another idyllic Med boating video.
Incidentally, in the meantime I notice that you can find the very same video - inclusive of some slow motion bits - also in BBC youtube channel.
Not that I'm expecting anyone to swallow the comments on my bad taste because of that, but if nothing else it seems that I'm not the only uncivilized guy in the cyberspace...

 

[fisherman]

Will Bristol be able to stage powerboat racing as they used to? They want to. Seven deaths in twenty years was it?

http://www.bristol247.com/channel/sport/other-sport/news/power-boat-racing-to-return-to-bristol

 

[rubberduck]

FWIW this is a boating forum, & the video is in the public domain, so relevant even if it only makes one person in 1000000 think twice.

 

[dom]

A deeply shocking vid .....the thin line......

Then for some reason I showed it to my two kids (just over 18); for if any good can come of such a tragedy it is as a warning to others. Part of the problem may be (I have no knowledge of the incident in question) is the greater hp we routinely have on boats today. When I was a kid, the local sailing club had two crash boats, one a heavyish 'speedboat' with a 50hp engine, the another a small rib with a 30hp. 80hp engines were the stuff of dreams! Today the 7.5m open rib in which I have a share has the ubiquitous twin-250 setup with a top speed of I guess 45kts+ depending on prop.

"Then why are all the engines so big now?", my daughter asked. I couldn't think of an answer that sat well with the uncomfortable reality so vividly depicted. I am even further away this morning.

Thanks MapisM ...lights in dark spaces are sometimes necessary.

 

[BruceK]

...lights in dark spaces are sometimes necessary.

:encouragement: It gets the message across much better than a written description of the same duration

Personally, it's in bad taste if posted or watched with gratuitous or morbid interest. The first it is not, the second is up to the reader.

 

[Sandyman]

What a bunch of molly coddled cotton wool whimps.

 

[jfm]

Thanks MapisM ...lights in dark spaces are sometimes necessary.

+1. I have no problem with MapisM's post and the video. This was a tragic event but it is nevertheless constructive and useful to know about it and be reminded of what can happen. Similarly there is good purpose in seeing and being reminded of, for example, 9/11. RIP the two souls who died.

 

[Firefly625]

I to have no issues with Mapis's post. His warning to those of a nervous disposition was loud and clear in his post. So people read his post then clicked on the video and then post a reply complaining... really?

Its a tragic situation and not the sort of thing I would search out to watch, but I read Mapis's post and chose to watch the video, it was a little bit shocking, but have see far worse in real life. The more interesting part of the thread with regards to race boat / high speed craft safety seems to have been missed. I understand Mapis has been over 100mph in a boat, I wonder how many others have? I have been over 50 knots down Southampton water in the late 80's once again without any safety gear. But over 100 on water just gives me the chills thinking about it and I would certainly never wish to go on a boat at those speeds (or to be honest anything over 50... I'm obviously getting old!). The fact that some boats that are able to achieve speeds in excess of 100mph without protection for driver/passenger if the worst happens, and as far as I know there are no regulations stating there should be (unless in an organised race environment) it is a concern.

But then perhaps its a case of the Darwin awards scenarios, so if you chose to sit in a boat that can achieve in excess of 100mph without an enclosed cockpit and without being strapped in and not wearing helmets & lifejackets therefore meaning at high speed if a crash/flip occurred loss of life is highly likely then who are we to judge? Still probably safer than base jumping.