Another fatality involving a "cigarette" boat
 

Still awaiting details but rumor is that the boats collided nearly head-on. Tragic & sad.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/metro/26480139.html

not good

Four dead and one still missing.

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2...n_boating.html

One report says 20 foot runabout and other says 30 foot "Cigarette" boat. this is the news, shouldnt they get it right?

Not good either way. Just hate to see every finger pointing at the performance boats even if one wasnt involved.

That was exactly my point. Every boat over 20 feet long with open exhaust gets labeled a "cigarette boat". As it turns out, now the news reports are saying it was a "cabin cruiser" and some of the footage yesterday showed what looked like a 30ish foot SeaRay in the background. One person still missing and presumed dead. They called off the search shortly after dark yesterday and will resume today. It appears that 5 of the 6 on board the smaller vessel perished. The lone survivor is in critical condition with swelling on the brain.

Also, toxicology report on the captain of the larger vessel came back negative (great news) so it remains to be seen what the actual cause was. Typically in this area, it seems people just don't understand the part about staying to the right side of the river. Same as the rules of the road - common sense. Two boats come around a blind corner each at 30mph, that gives a 60mph closing speed and little time to react.

The "PowerBoat" going towards the lake was a 29' Powerquest, The six boys were in a 18' Bayliner. The bayliner was on the wrong side of the river on their way in. When they crested the turn they were face to face with the powerquest. They both corrected the same way, wich is another no-no. The bayliner tried to correct again but it was too late. I saw some pictures on the bayline, not good to say the least.
I new most of the guys in the small boat, The oldest one was 24. This is a tragic accident that could have been avoided by these guys simply knowing the rules of the water. I still believe people shouyld have to get a captains license to drive a boat, or at least a training course that could be required. It's amazing how may people don't even know what the red and green lights on the front of their boats mean. Simply tragic, Our prayers go out to their families.
Scott

Tragic & sad.

I figured you knew them Scott. Bobby & Nancy said they knew all the families. It is a said and tragic accident. One tidbit of knowledge about the "rules of the road" would have prevented this. There really needs to be some sort of licensing/training implemented. I'm not usually one that calls for more rules and regs but situations like this can be prevented with a simple safety course.

Driving a boat is getting to be more like driving a motorcycle all the time, You have to plan on the other guy to make a mistake, just obeying the rules is not enough anymore. Your right Croozin, the basic rules of the road could have prevented all of this.

[QUOTE=fast22;2650166]Driving a boat is getting to be more like driving a motorcycle all the time, You have to plan on the other guy to make a mistake[QUOTE]

Well put. And its getting worse all the time. Thats why I stopped riding bikes.