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Letters sent to the BRC, Sen Sarlo, and appropriate news reporting agencies
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The facts prove that enforcement of the current laws will make NJ boaters safer, not an additional law that will not be enforced just as other current laws on the books are not enforced. One additional comment. I know nothing of that waterway, but I was interested in the comments made in the news about NWZ's being added there before this accident. Has anyone determined whether the accident occurred in a NWZ? Because if it did, a speed limit was already in place by default. |
[QUOTE=DaveP;2653367]Here is an example of another mental midget who has no clue as to the facts. This email came this morning.
-----Original Message----- From: Bob Vaeth <[email protected]> To: [email protected]; [email protected] Sent: Wed, 13 Aug 2008 5:23 pm Subject: speedboat accident Your constituents are murderers. Not enough police protection, You are a joke. For those of you not from this area most of these emails are coming from Bay Head the only town in New Jersey that does not allow public access to there beaches. I guess they want the bay too.Maybe we also need to ask our elected officials why that is |
There is cetainly a lot of finger pointing going on regarding this unfortunate incident. There are cetainly a lot of differnet viewpoints as to culpability and who is responsible. My own opinions have no place as the only things they are based on are hearsay from people very close to the investigation and others not so close. Some of it seems plausible and other parts seem ridiculous.
On a simple level, am I wrong in believing that anyone who choses to go for a boat ride at 1AM on a night with virtually no moonlight has to take some responsibility if an accident occurs???????? This is regardless of whether other mitigating factors exist. |
I don't think you are wrong.
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This is a copy of an email I sent tonight
Mr Brown - I am a member of the New Jersey Performance Powerboat Club and a safe boater. This email is sent to you to offer my opinion about a proposed 10 mph night time speed limit on Barnegat Bay. I don't boat at night, so one would say this does not affect me, but it does. The reason being that this speed limit is uneforceable and will only be observed by responsible boaters. Boaters who do not operate the vessels in a safe manner will just add it to the list of laws they are already breaking. And accidents like this will happen again. My solution is to drastically increase the NJSP Marine Police budget by adding a $10.00 surcharge to every boat registered in NJ. This will enable the many existing laws that are currently not able to be enforced due to severe manpower shortages. During the last 10 days since the tragic accident in Bricktown, NJPPC has been sent several emails calling us "murderous scum". These are totally unwarranted, as the alleged driver of the hit and run boat was not a club member. Most high performance boat owners are experienced operators, proof of that is that it's rare for us to have an incident such as this in NJ. Most fatalities are people who were fishing either inshore or offshore. But, for some reason, high performance boat owners are considered murderers. A perfect example of my thoughts is alcohol related vehicle accidents. In the not too distant, past they were much more common. Strict enforcement of existing laws, not new laws, changed that. I sincerely hope that we can work together to make NJ safe for all boaters. Timothy A. Sharkey |
Tim,
very well said |
Originally Posted by DaveP
(Post 2653307)
10mph Speed Limit - I need your HELP!!!!!!!!
Toms River, NJ - August 14, 2008 YES! I NEED YOUR HELP - TODAY! You have all seen the news stories from the last week and a half. Fortunately we have received som every fair and unbiassed press which I am very thankful for. BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Over the last 48hrs I have learned that there are ALOT of emails coming into the press and the Boat Regulation Commission that are in favor of a 10mph night time speed limit. With that said....we need to ACT AND ACT NOW! Our Position: "Increased Funding For The State Police To Enforce Existing Laws is the answer to Safer Boating In NJ - not new laws that would not be enforced just like the existing ones."How can you help me fight this "mis-information campaign?" SEND AN EMAIL TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE NOW! Mary Ann Spoto - Star Ledger [email protected] Margaret Bonafide - Asbury Park Press [email protected] Roger Brown - Chairman NJ Boat Reg. Comm. [email protected] Briana Vannozzi - NJN News [email protected] You can write your own letter to these people or if you wish, you can copy and paste this sample letter (see below) and just add the name it is addressed to and your name at the bottom. Take the time to help today to we can win this fight tomorrow!!! Thank you! Best Regards, Dave Patnaude President NJ Performance Powerboat Club Dear____________; It was with great regret that I learned of the boating tragedy that recently took place on the Metedeconk River that resulted in a fatality. While I did not personally know any of the boaters involved, my deepest thoughts and prayers go out to all involved. It was truly a tragedy that is upsetting in many ways, not the least of which of how some people are trying to blame all power boaters in New Jersey. The State Police and the prosecutors office have not finalized their investigation at this time, yet people are making several assumptions: Do we know if any of the drivers were not carrying a valid boat safety certification card? Do we know if anyone was drinking that was involved? Do we know if either boat had legal running lights on? Do we know if the boats were on plane in a no wake zone? If we are to follow the logic of a few, then if someone dies in a car accident at night, we should ban cars from driving at night, or reduce the speed limit on the New Jersey Turnpike at night, or the Garden State Parkway at night? How many people die in car accidents at night? If a plane crashes at Newark airport in the evening, should we ban night flights or maybe ask them to land their planes a bit slower? New Jersey is one of the largest boating communities per capita in the United States and it's safety record is one of the VERY best. So how is it when there is one terrible and regrettable accident that comes to the public's attention, some people try and penalize everyone else. New Jersey has some of the toughest safe boating laws in the country. We also have laws against driving and drinking. We have laws that require proper lights on all boats at night. We have laws that require you drive a boat at a safe speed based upon current conditions. New Jersey is doing a great job of protecting boaters through it's current laws and setting a great example to other states. So why is it that some people are convinced that we need Speed Limits on the tidal waters at night? If someone drinks and drives a boat at night, or takes drugs and drives a boat at night, or drives at any speed without running lights, or operates a boat without a proper legal certification, will a 10mph law have any impact on them; most likely not. Those that wish to break the law will not be any more careful because of a new night time speed limit law. The real root of the problem is enforcement of current laws that already exist. Due to the budget crisis that the state of NJ is in, man power hours have been greatly reduced in the ranks of the State Police on the water. That is a fact. Toms River, Mantoloking and Brick's Police Departments have all admitted on the record that they have had or have tried to have their own marine patrols but due to budget issues they have had to either eliminate them or cut them back significantly. That is a fact. On a national level, according to the United States Coast Guard 2007 Accident Statistics, excessive speed is attributed to only 12% of all boating accidents and only 7% of all fatalities. That is a fact. The State Police have already testified, on the record, that trying to measure and enforce a speed limit is extremely difficult on the water with current radar equipment. That is a fact. So how do we make NJ's waters safer for all boaters that includes Power, Sail, Canoe, Kyack, Personal Watercraft? The answer is increased funding for the State Police to have a much greater presence on the water from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If our existing laws were enforced better, we would have safer waterways and I am sure there would be increased revenue to the state from the summonses that would be written to those who break the existing laws. The facts prove that enforcement of the current laws will make NJ boaters safer, not an additional law that will not be enforced just as other current laws on the books are not enforced. Sincerely, _____________________ Just food for thought as we try to articulate our arguments. |
I just found this this morning on another site:
Originally Posted by berdes
(Post 1440963)
Read this morning that sarno's office is promoting a petition drive FOR the limit!!!Lets all get our own letters out there. How about a caravan to Margate next month for the hearings??
Just sent this to all- Dear ________________ This very old proposal for speed limits on the Barnegat Bay should not have been resurrected as it has. The FACTS speak for themselves: 1) We can not enforce the laws we already have. 2) Only seven percent of boating fatalities relate to speed. 3) Only twelve percent of all boating accidents relate to speed. 4) The state police have stated that measuring speed on water is at best very difficult. 5) The thirty MPH limit is the "wake zone" for many larger boats, where the most damage is done to the ecology. There are many more reasons to oppose this legislation if you take the time to research it. Thank you for listening, If the powerboaters of NJ don't do something soon, rest assured there will be a limit on how fast you can go on the waterways of NJ.:mad: |
From today's local fish wrapper:
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...2/1032/OPINION Boaters need speed limits The time is now for active legislation in Trenton to prevent boating disasters like the one that claimed the life of one man and injured four others at the mouth of the Metedeconk River Aug. 3. The combination of heavy boating traffic, poor visibility and speeding has long been a problem with an otherwise popular summer pastime enjoyed by locals and visitors at the Jersey Shore. We must draft legislation to restrict boat speeds in all inland New Jersey waterways to 10 mph from dawn to dusk. Copies of petitions to do so are being circulated. Additional copies are available through my legislative office. Sen. Paul Sarlo D-BERGEN He just doesn't get it. This apparently happened in a no wake zone. There were laws in place, it's just that they weren't followed. Think he would have made an exception and followed this one? |
Senator Parlo's Perspective
What was his input when a speeding state trooper almost killed governor CORZINE (D) who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident ?. I don't remember him asking for reduced night time speed limits on NEW JERSEY highways.
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I meant SARLO
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I'd like to know if Sarzo has even been on Barnegat Bay this summer.:rolleyes:
With fuel prices keeping so many people from boating this year, the traffic has been really light. I also wonder where all the fishermen are to help fight off this speed limit. If they think they had to leave early for a fishing trip before, just wait until they see how long it is going to take to get to the inlets at 10 mph ! :eek: If this passes we can all expect a day time speed limit to follow in the near future. :mad: |
He just doesn't get it. This apparently happened in a no wake zone. There were laws in place, it's just that they weren't followed. Think he would have made an exception and followed this one? |
After reading this 10+ page thread, it is clear to me that tragic accidents such as these bring out the worst in people. I am absolutely amazed how quickly conclusions are reached by people who know nothing but what they have read in a newspaper or on a website. It also reenforces my belief in just how lazy the media has become.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved in this horific tragedy. I bought my current rig out of Brick about 7 years ago and when I went to sea trial I could not believe how few markers existed on the waterways up there. I could not imagine running up there at night without many years of area knowledge or running off plane and using a spotlight. Maybe this has changed in recent years or maybe I am just spoiled by relatively good markings here in the Chesapeake. |
Viper31, much of the bay is 3-1/2 feet deep and therefore has plenty of water for most boats to operate. There are some tricky spots, but almost any boat with a fair draft can go virtually anywhere... especially at high tide.
*** Have there been any new developments with regard to this tragic accident? Investigation findings? |
any new news on this?
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Originally Posted by 007joe
(Post 2664569)
any new news on this?
There is a possibility that another boat may have hit the Whaler 1st. The one in custody may have hit debris from the whaler afterwords ... Too many things unanswered at the moment. The Asbury Park Press should be doing a follow up story soon ... |
thanks sharkey! keep us posted
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Senator Sarlo is gearing up for a slam dunk on the speed limit.
He's in for the mother of all battles with me :evilb: |
DaveP: Thank you for your efforts. Keep us all informed of where and when there are meetings. Hopefully a large amount of the boating public will be able to make it. Performance boaters are not the only ones that will be effected by this.
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Originally Posted by DaveP
(Post 2664763)
Senator Sarlo is gearing up for a slam dunk on the speed limit.
He's in for the mother of all battles with me :evilb: Any word on the specific location of the accident and whether it was in a NWZ? If it was, be a great counter argument. |
Originally Posted by sharkeymarine
(Post 2664637)
Last I heard it is still unclear whether or not the boat in custody actually is the one that hit the whaler.
There is a possibility that another boat may have hit the Whaler 1st. The one in custody may have hit debris from the whaler afterwords ... Too many things unanswered at the moment. The Asbury Park Press should be doing a follow up story soon ... |
Originally Posted by VtSteve
(Post 2665336)
Dave,
Any word on the specific location of the accident and whether it was in a NWZ? If it was, be a great counter argument. We are just going to sit tight and wait for the investigation results. I do know that they are having an issue determining if Digilio's boat was the first boat to hit the whaler. |
I had another look at the boat today.
Early reports say whichever boat hit them went completely over the top of the Whaler. After a great visual of the transom, I saw no apparent damage to any of the hardware. All trim tabs were intact with a slight difference in height of about 3/4 of an inch, Starboard tab completely up, port tab slightly down. Drive had the usually appearance of paint wear at the bottom of the skeg. Propellor no damage at all. From what I could see of the upper starboard outer strake towards the back of the boat, no damage. In the bow area, from what I can see of the little damage there was, it was from the centerline and to the immediate starboard side. A rub of blue slightly noticeable as high as just a few inches below the bow eye and at the chine. At 1st I thought maybe it was bottom paint. I now feel (in my opinion) that mark may have come from the trailer stop. Centerline had what appeared to be minor etching or chipping in the gelcoat, similar to sliding the boat up on a trailer with too low of a tide. So far I have seen no damage at all to the port side. Keep in mind my visuals have been about 1 to 2 blocks away. The boat has been inside mostly and today was the 1st day I had a chance to see it outside allowing limited sight to it. I was just waiting to see the transom because I had heard some misinformation of a trim tab being torn off and prop damage. I found neither today. I know it will take awhile, but I just hope that they find the right boat that caused this if this one did not... Here is the latest story from the APP on Sunday: http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...=2008808240417 |
Of course they still say it was a speed boat..... The problem is that our reputation still preceeds us and even if we find later that it was a sport fisher the damage to us is already done.
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From the picture of the whaler it looks like it was hit on the stbd side. I would think the port side of Diglio's boat would have some marks/scratches/stress fractures/paint on it and not a scuff on the stbd side???
I'm not trying to stick up for anyone here, I'm just thinking logically about this...... |
I spent the morning with NJN news on the water with a camera crew video taping our side (and the facts) of the story.
I took them to a no wake zone and they witnessed 1st hand the number of people who blow right by them breaking the law. They couldn't believe it! The piece should be good. It will be on today on channel 12 (NJN News) at 6:00pm, 7:30pm & 11pm. |
Thanks Dave. I'd like to see it. My dad has a SlingBox I can tap into. I believe he gets Dish network tho, so not sure if he gets channel 12.
Scratch that. Looks like you can watch that channel live online during the bcast. Between 6 and 7:30pm goto http://www.njn.net/television/webcas...streaming.html This link may be easier. You then choose your show (at the proper time). archives there too, if someone would like to see Dave after the fact. http://www.njn.net/television/webcast/ |
Good luck Dave...great report
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Good job Dave! I just saw the clip.
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Originally Posted by Dave M
(Post 2669006)
Good job Dave! I just saw the clip.
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I love when Sarlo says the speed limit will get more people out on the water at night.That is just what we need.Great Job Dave
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Nice Job Dave!!!
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Originally Posted by Expensive Date
(Post 2669068)
I love when Sarlo says the speed limit will get more people out on the water at night.
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great job dave. let us know if you need any help. i will try to look you up at the offshores next weekend. mark
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Originally Posted by mookymonkey
(Post 2669311)
great job dave. let us know if you need any help. i will try to look you up at the offshores next weekend. mark
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Originally Posted by sharkeymarine
(Post 2669316)
Definately have to look up. He's 6 foot plus ? inches... :D
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Originally Posted by Shanghied Again
(Post 2669382)
Hey Tim how do you think I feel when I stand next to Dave? WOW I am only 5ft6 he towers over me. He can't be missed. What I like about Dave and always will like about Dave is he really cares about boating in everyway! He always has time to care about his fellow brother or anyone for that matter, NJPPC couldn't have a better leader:drink:
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Originally Posted by tripple digits
(Post 2669518)
suc suc kiss kiss your nose is realy tan or that chit on there
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