Motorboat accident

its amazing that the Photographers boat didnt capsize nor sinked after such an impact, good points for the Antares !
The best news is that nobody is indjured,
and Graham has a breathtaking story to tell his grand children ...
 
snooks said:
From how it looks and discussing the incident with other journalists...
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For what can be seen from the pic, the speculation that you report seems plausible.
The most incredible thing is yourself "standing on stbd side of the cockpit" and capable to walk away after what happened! :eek:
According to the page linked by the OP, you ..."thought the driver was leaving it a bit late to turn, so turned away to shield myself from the spray". My guess is that either you actually jumped to port (and it wouldn't be unusual not to remember that), or maybe the sudden movevent (down and stbd) of the photoboat when hit by the MC42 bow threw yourself to port.
Glad to hear you're fine anyway, that's the only really important thing.

PS: re. not wanting to "comment on the driver of the powerboat", that's understandable. I can't imagine any proper expression that wouldn't be asterisked out by the forum software... :)
 
Fair points, what Stewart didn't include was all the details because there wasn't the room, and he didn't ask specific questions.

When the boat hit there was noise, something hit my head, and I felt a sharp pain in my back. When I saw light and colour again and when all hell had stopped breaking loose, I was lying on the cockpit sole and got up from starboard side of the cockpit. The other photographer was standing holding onto the ladder to port when I got up.

[Just to clarify, Stewart did ask the right questions, considering what I'd been through, the last thing I wanted at the time was a grilling on the phone about every little detail, but he didn't have the luxury to analyse my account. I've since sat down and typed out what happened to me, as a way to come to terms with what happened]
 
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snooks said:
I was lying on the cockpit sole and got up from starboard side of the cockpit.
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Geez... really leads to think that the whole MC42 hull went over yourself somehow! Un-be-lie-va-ble.
I sincerely wish you it'll be a total waste of time, but in your boots I'd go through a full clinical check-up.
 
MapisM said:
Geez... really leads to think that the whole MC42 hull went over yourself somehow! Un-be-lie-va-ble.
I sincerely wish you it'll be a total waste of time, but in your boots I'd go through a full clinical check-up.
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Knowing how close I came to death, thinking that I was dead, and realising I wasn't, is what I'm slowly coming to terms with. My back hurts but my mind is stuck in a loop, constantly replaying the incident.

Until Beneteau's investigation is over, we can only guess what happened after seeing the photos from that day.

I spent 5 hours in a French hospital being poked, prodded, x-rayed and MRI scanned. I'm resting at the moment :)
 
So glad that plonker missed you and you're physically OK, the rest will take longer.

Just shows the warning in the boat manual that says, 'This boat is very powerful and should only be driven by trained persons." is exactly right, in the wrong hands or someone not looking it's a lethal weapon.

Looking closly at the blow-up picture, I think you can actually see the track of the MC42 (soon to be called -'Dodgem') as it hit the rear stbd. quarter and bounced towards the flybridge roof and then continued on over the starbd. side. The whisked out grooves in the swim platform must give you the shudders!

Hope you make a speedy recovery. Like my friends boat solent fire last month, I would like to hear the official outcome. Perhaps that could be published.
 
That must've been absolutely terrifying beyond belief... glad you're ok.

Looking at that photo and the theoretical trajectory of the MC42 it does make sense. I think you were saved by the f/b overhang creating a void underneath where you were and also the Gods of boating.

Thank goodness you weren't in an open boat.... and also that the trajectory wasn't at a narrower angle. Sends shivers down my spine thinking about that.

I was in a serious car crash some years ago and too had a lucky escape with just a broken collar bone. I know exactly what you mean by your mind being in a loop. It will pass. The only advice I can give is once your back allows, try and get back to your normal routine and keep busy.
 
snooks said:
My back hurts but my mind is stuck in a loop, constantly replaying the incident.

Until Beneteau's investigation is over, we can only guess what happened after seeing the photos from that day.
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Can't you ask the other boat driver what the f*** happened?! It might help you to know whether it was an error of judgement, or he had a blackout, or something mechanical failed etc.?
 
I've had correspondence from him passed onto me, but I don't think it would be right for me to reveal it's contents on a public forum.

As the matter is still under investigation I'm not going to speculate about the cause, or start blaming anyone or anything. What happened, happened, I'm just glad to be alive.

I'm still finding bruises, and scratches on me and the things I was wearing. Just this morning I noticed the face of my watch is scratched up, and then I thought about my jacket.

It has a couple of peculiar rubbing and wear marks on it. This was (I think) the second job I'd worn the jacket.
 
Graham1.jpg

"Crikey! me underpants are warm and squishy.


Glad to see it wasn't your time Snooksy. Next time you want a close up, use a longer lens. :D
 
epervier said:
The most important thing is,................

you walked away, and that's what counts.
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Indeed, but I'll never know how or what actually happened to me.....Where I was? How close I was to the boat? What parts of the photoboat hit me and when? Where did all the bumps and grazes on my head come from? Did I black out?

I have a head full of questions and no answers.:confused:
 
snooks said:
Indeed, but I'll never know how or what actually happened to me.....Where I was? How close I was to the boat? What parts of the photoboat hit me and when? Where did all the bumps and grazes on my head come from? Did I black out?

I have a head full of questions and no answers.:confused:
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Perhaps that's a blessing. Time to saddle up and get back out on the water ASAP. :)
 
Swmbo (nhs) says "Give it a couple of weeks to settle down, but after that, if head still going round in circles, it might be worth getting a referral to a counsellor from your G.P."
 
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