Key West Safety Concerns; First Hand...
 

This post is very difficult for me to write. Ever since I was told of Bob Morgan's passing, I have been contemplating how to express my feelings. I even went so far as to write a letter to Sue Morgan, Bob's wife. I just haven't been able to send the letter, because I don't know if it is the right time, or if it will ever be the right time.

For the past four years, I have volunteered to tow my boat down to Key West, and be a medical boat for the Key West races. This year was extremely difficult. I had 2 divers on my boat, and was the first medical boat to arrive at the scene of Bob and JT's crash. By the time we got from our turn, to the crash, only a little over a minute of time had passed. One diver had already been deployed from a helicopter, and our two divers were in the water as soon as we arrived.

Within a couple of minutes, one of our divers brought Bob to the surface. As he was lifting Bob, my buddy and I helped get him on to the boat. At this time, Bob was unconscious. Without going into great detail, CPR was being performed on Bob. The diver instructed me to get the PA (Physicians Assistant) from the other boat. As the PA got on our boat, he realized that we had to get Bob to the ambulance ASAP. He said, "We have to go now!". As the PA and the diver continued to work on Bob, I got on the radio to speak with race control. I told them that we had Bob on our boat, and asked where we were to go. We were told to go to the Coast Guard station. Understand, we are not from that area, and had no idea as to where the Coast Guard station was located. I asked the PA and the diver to please point us in the right direction. The PA picked his head up, and pointed towards the Coast Guard Station. As we headed over to the Coast Guard station, we had 2 Cat boats pass us on each side. At the time, this didn't seem like a big deal, but knowing how little visibility they have, especially at that speed, it is a big deal.

As we approached the Coast Guard station, I heard the PA say, "He is breathing! He is breathing!" As I looked back, I saw Bob breathing on his one, and trying to cough up some of the water in his lungs. He was also moving both his hands, in a clasping motion. Once we got to the Coast Guard station, there was large Coast Guard Cutter, with lots of personel on board. I then shouted, "We have a severly injured racer on board; we need help now!" These Coast Guard men and women just looked at us in disbelief. They did not know what to do, nor where to instruct us to go. Finally, one of them said, pull up to the floating pier behind the Cutter. As we did, I was on the radio again with Race Control. I said, "We are at the Coast Guard station, and no one is here! No one is here to help us!" Race Control answered back, "Calm down; the ambulance is on it's way." Shortly thereafter, I heard the ambulance approaching.

Once we were able to secure Bob to a back board, he was loaded into the ambulance. At this point, JT was also being loaded into another ambulance. All of us on our boat, just sat there, thinking about what we just witnessed. When our diver came back to our boat, he was encouraged with Bob's prognosis, but wasn't as confident about JT's. We actually felt as though we had helped Bob, and it was a good feeling.

Later that night, I got a call from someone with SBI. The message on my cell phone was cut off, but I understood that they wanted to speak with me about the accident that afternoon. So, around 7 PM, I drove back down to the pits with my buddy who was on the boat with me. As we got to the SBI trailer, we were asked inside. There were 4 people from SBI there, including John Carbonell. When we got in, the first thing we were told was, "We called you in here tonight, because we want to make sure you don't speak with anyone about what happened today." I said, "That isn't a problem, because I am not from around here, and don't know that many people." Then, I tried to let them know that I thought there were a couple of things that could be done differently in the future, to help with safety. As I began to speak, I was interrupted, and told, "You know, you did a great job. We will see you on Friday", as they pushed me out the door, and shut it behind me.

The next morning, there was a memorial for Bob and JT. The following day, was Friday, the 2nd day of races. Right after the driver's meeting, I was brought to the side by a SBI official, and told, "You did not see the racers helmets from yesterday, right?" Before I could even answer, I was told again, "I just wanted to make sure you knew that you did not see those helmets."

I was in disbelief. There was no compassion from SBI towards the racers, their families or the other racers in Key West. Their only concern was whether or not they were going to be sued, and how was the best way to handle that situation.

In the 2nd day of racing, again there was another accident involving a Cat. This time, it was Stephen Page and Joey Gratton. This particular crash happened on the opposite side of the course from where we were stationed. By the time we got there, as they were asking for more divers to help, they had both racers on the transport boats. From what we were told later in the day by our divers, was that they had a difficult time getting the hatches opened on this boat; delaying getting both racers out of the boat.

First and foremost, I know for a fact that none of the problems we experienced as a Medical boat, contributed to the deaths of Bob or JT. Their injuries were just too much for them to overcome.

However, I tried to relate a couple of safety issues to SBI, but I felt as though they just did not want to hear anything I had to say.

These are just a couple of things that i think should be considered:
1. Every boat, medical, sweep, transport, or even pace boats should have a meeting before each race day, and be given specific instrucitons if a serious accident was to happen. It should matter if you are not supposed to transport a patient or not. In my case, we were not supposed to transport a patient, but we had to. By not knowing where to go, or who to contact, this could cost more time in a critical situation.

2. When medical personel tell Race Control the severity of an accident, like a unconcious person, the race should be stopped, and everyone involved should be focusing on how to get the injured help ASAP. When we had two race boats have to go around us on each side, that could have been a very bad accident.

3. Divers should have the equipment and knowledge necessary to opend a hatch on any boat, at any time.

4. There should be an ambulance at every race; immediately available to help if needed.

I would also like to point out how great the divers on my boat and the PA handled the situation, and kept everyone on the boat calm and focused. They did an amazing job controlling the situation, and giving Bob the best treatment possible.

This was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. In racing, there will always be accidents, and there will always be deaths. However, I think all organizations can learn from these types of accidents.

My heart goes out to the families of Bob, JT and Joey. I never met Bob, until he was put on to our boat. I wished I could have met him just a little bit earlier; I have heard so many good things about him and the other two racers.

I have used my boat as a dive rescue boat,I'm glad I never had to do what you did. While I think that you did everything you could have possibly its something that you will be thinking about for a while. Please understand I mean no disrespect but you should really see a psychologist,what you went through was very traumatic. Thank you for your service.

Very sobering and informative Post,Thank You.

Great post! And you are right there are a lot of things that need to be changed. For JC a friend of mine to not listen is a shame. I will have to discuss this with him. How can a rescue team not know where to take and injured person is in acceptable.

Thank you for your insight. In times like this we all try and find reasons for what/why/how etc...

My hope is we can all learn from these unfortunate events, rather it be from the safety side of operation or the changes needed in the boats themselves. Lets all concentrate our efforts on making things better.

On a personal note, thank you for your help, Bob was a good friend, he will be missed...

It’s not surprising that you feel tongue-tied at the prospect of communicating to Bob's wife. In this situation, words do seem inadequate. There is always the fear of saying something “wrong,” something that might offend, make you look foolish or seem insensitive. Yet I’ve found the most appreciated words are usually those that first come to mind when you hear the terrible news, or witness a traumatic event,such as “This is such a tragedy. I can’t believe it. I’m so sorry.” Speaking your unvarnished feelings validates the enormity of what has happened and makes a connection with those left behind

If you have been helping someone involved in a traumatic event, don’t forget that you will be impacted by hearing the details of their experiences and being a close witness to their pain, grief, outcome, death and often the confusion

Non medical community, often worry about how to help others after something traumatic has happened to them. If you happen to be “on the scene” at a traumatic event, you may feel that you don’t know what to do to help others. If someone you know is going through a hard time after a traumatic event, you might worry that you are just “getting in the way” and “intruding”, or that you will say the “wrong thing”. You did the best you could under the circumstances you describe.

As a general guide, think about what you would need or want from a friend after a similar traumatic event. How would you want someone to treat your family, or fellow racer if this had happened to them? This may help you figure out how to best support others. Remember:You are not responsible for having the “right answer” to any ( or all ) questions that anyone asks about the event, why it happened, or what it means.

We find that people who have just experienced a traumatic event may feel overwhelmed by intense emotions, including anger. Sometimes that anger can be directed towards you, even when it seems irrational. This can be hurtful and difficult, but try to stay calm and remember not to take it personally. I remember that we personally spoke about this in KW,but thanks for sharing your thoughts here tonight.



"Doc" J

Not having specific locations for injured transfer and instructions for medical boats and amublance deployment is absolutely critical and required before racing should even start! What does this instruction from SBI officials mean when they are telling medical personel who were on scene they did not see the helmets? What was the issue with the helmets and why was this gentlemen instructed so??? This needs more clarification.
I don't like the sound of this.

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

thank you for your post, i was with the team and had worked for the morgans on and off since i was 14, i am 36 now.. thank you.

Thank you for your post, your service, and your concern. Hopefully , this information won't fall on deaf ears. As a former racer myself, and a doctor, I've had concerns about some of the safety procedures that are in place in Key West. Unless someone steps up to the plate, and demands changes, I don't know that that will happen. Thanks again!

first i want to say that my thaughts and prayers go out to the families of the three men who passed in key west,i was there,it was my first time to attend one of these races.what i am now going to say might not sit well with everybody,but it is just my observation of the situation.i feel that sbi needs to change the way they look at safety at these races,in my opinion,something needs to be done to make these boats safer in a blowover,or a crash of any type.i owned a pro mod drag boat for several years,for those of you not familiar,a pro mod is a quarter mile capsual hydro running on a 7 second index,if u run 6.99,you break out and loose the race.pro mod runs 170 to 180 in the quarter mile.this is rellitivly slow compared to top alcohol hydro and top fuel hydro.pro classes all have a safety capsuel that the driver is belted into and the driver wears a helmet that supplys breathing air during the run.before these safety capsuels were implimented,there were many fatilitys in drag boat racing.i am not an engineer,and i dont know the answer to how to make these boats safer,but as a spectator,i can see that something needs to be done.once again,this is just my opinion,and i will not get into a pizzing contest with anyone about this.BOB JT AND JOEY REST IN PEACE.:party-smiley-004:

PENELTYBOX,i think all 4 of your recomendations are very good ideas,some of them are standard protical at most motorsport events.i hope sbi is listening to you now.

Awesome thread in hopes of making changes for the better. Thank you.

Well written post. There is real value in the information when it comes from someone who was actually there and participating.

I'm a fan of most forms of motorsports. While I've never competed myself, I have attended many events in many different types of racing; boats, cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, airplanes, lawnmowers.

As I sit here, I cannot recall any event that did not have at least one ambulance on-site, ready to react to any potential need. This just seems like SOP.

To hear that the "Worlds" as they are known, do not have multiple ambulances stationed and on-call during the race makes me sick. Even the F*^king lawnmower guys do it! In my opinion, there should be at least 4, two at each end of the course, parked, running and ready. No discussion, no alternative.

As for the officials trying to cover their azzes, they should be ashamed of themselves on many levels. They're likely not, but they should be.......................

+1

Penaltybox, thank you very much for sharing. I too would be interested to hear more about the helmets....

Wonderful thread.

I'm certain that your posting was fraught with great consternation and done so with a heavy-heart, but I commend you immensely for posting as such anyway. Thank you for posting and thank you for your volunteer efforts.

I too know exactly what it's like to arrive on the scene of a fresh boating accident when a life/lives are on the line and I understand the nature of those never-ending minutes of shear despare, confusion and panic, so I can sympathize with what you have gone through. Thanks again for putting it into words.

You also bring up a multitude of excellent points regarding the safety and preparedness (or the painfully obvious lack thereof) at these events.

Let's face it, the fact that every individual on every boat wasn't clearly instructed on precisely what to do, where to go, and how to react in a situation like this - not to mention that an ambulance wasn't already at a designated staging area - is appalling to say the least. And to add insult to injury, noting that the CG was not clearly at the ready and able to assist at a moment's notice, is of great concern.

I truly hope that this thread and the following conversations help to raise awareness to an apparently inadequate safety regimen and will ultimately lead to the installation of better safety measures and preparedness, regardless of cost or profit margin.

Now, having said all that, this is in no way, shape or form meant to denigrate the commendable knowledge and professionalism of the safety personnel already there doing their damnedest to make the best of circumstances like this, rather we should be focusing on removing any and all obstacles that prevent them from doing all that they can do when they're already putting in 110%.

It's disturbing that the conjunction of all the parties involved including SBI, the USCG, local officials and ambulances weren't better prepared to handle an accident of this nature. But even more disturbing than that is now learning that even after the tragedies on Wednesday and the ensuing confusion, the races continued two days later which led to another horrific accident, and the only concern on the part of the organizers was keeping things hush-hush. I'm shocked to hear that. Please tell us about the helmets. What's the meaning of that?

Thanks for sharing your feelings and information with us and I really hope that what you have said will not be for nothing. We need to do everything that we can to protect the safety of the racers and comfort their families in times like these, as well as those on the Rescue Teams.

After reflecting on this... We know they had decided not to have an ambulance on hand for Wednesday, but after the tragedy that took place, did they have an ambulance on hand for Friday, etc?

Was anything changed or improved after Wednesdays events?

That was also my first thought when I read that there was no ambulance on site.....absolutely ridiculous IMO.

very surprising that there were no ambulances there.

When we had an accident in Coco Beach in an OPT race also run by John Carbonell, there were 2 ambulances stationed at the helicopter landing pad, right on the harbor. We had the "good fortune" to blow up right next to them, and got instant help.

Perhaps the ambulances were deployed at the landing pad in KW as well.

iamjoe, agree 100%. In these situations every second counts. Thank you for getting this started, it sound like there need to be some safety changes.

PENELTYBOX, thank you for volunteering your time an boat... Hopefully we will never see this type tragedy again during a boating event!! My husband was a racer, my heart breaks thinking about the families and friends of the victims.

Your not the first person to mention the helmets... Not to mention the race wasn't black flagged so that you as a medic boat can get across the course safety - this is racing 101!!

:(

All,

Thank you very much for the kind words, appreciation, and even some of the private messages. As I said in my original post, it was very difficult to write. While we were in Key West, I was very angry and frustrated by the thought that no one was listening to my concerns. Looking back, I think many people were handling the circumstances in different ways. Maybe it was just too soon to voice concern.

Also, as I stressed in my original post, I firmly believe and trust in the medical personel and their abilities. I just think that the safety procedures are flawed, and need to be closley examined. The diver and the PA on my boat did an amazing job with trying to give Bob the best medical treatment available, and also managed to keep everyone on the boat calm and focused. I remember screaming into the radio, in a very panicked voice. The PA constantly asked us all to calm down, and concentrate on what he needed from us.

As for the helmets; I can not answer those questions. I never saw Bob's helmet, or JT's for that matter. I don't even want to speculate on their significance.

Also, after the accident with Stephen and Joey, I know that the race was stopped. I heard a lot of chatter on the radio, and I am positive that Angel 1 or Angel 2 ordered that the race be stopped.

Finally, I don't want to shed a negative light on the Coast Guard either. Once they realized why we were there, and that we needed help, everyone aboard that Coast Guard cutter was at our boat to help in any way possible. I just don't think that they were aware that the Coast Guard station was going to be a trasnport point for an injured racer.

Again, I am not trying to cause anyone grief, or stir up a plot against SBI. My only concern is that the safety procedures for all future races are re-examined. If I were ever put into the same situation, I would just hope that I am better prepared than what I was during this year's accidents.

Thank you all for reading; I hope some good will come out of the losses from Key West.

What's the helmet secret!?!?

Extremely sobering post and very well versed!!!

My thanks to Penaltybox for the thoughtful and articulate comments.

As we move forward, I hope that improvements in the system will be the positive reminders from these tragic events.

Penaltybox .... I understand you were directly involved in a tragic situation and I'm sure emotions were running high, but to say "There was no compassion from SBI towards the racers, their families or the other racers in Key West. Their only concern was whether or not they were going to be sued" is a very unfair and inaccurate assumption on your part. "Looking back, I think many people were handling the circumstances in different ways. Maybe it was just too soon to voice concern" makes a lot more sense.
Being stuck in Ohio, I was on the phone with SBI personnel and I can assure you, shock, sadness, and disbelief were their thoughts. I'm sure there will be changes and things learned from these incidents. Hindsight, as everyone knows, is a wonderful thing.

While I appreciate your post and understand your frustration, I think these matters need to be taken up with SBI directly. I'd be happy to forward to you email addresses and phone numbers of SBI personnel, safety administrators and rescue people who can benefit from your experience.

I know that before races with OPA, there are meetings before the race to give instruction to the volunteers and local rescue personnel, on what to do in case of an emergency, crash, sinking boat, hurt racer, or disabled boat on the course, but I would imagine, in such a horrific scenario, some of that probably goes right out the window. I truly hope that the powers that be, learn from these incidents, whether it be different emergency tactics or safer equipment. Hopefully, no one will have to have this experience again.

God bless you for being there in their time of need..... :bunny:

He was on the scene and expressed what happened. Expecting SBI to handle SBI problems is like asking the rooster to watch the hens. This is a perfect forum to discuss problems, problems that need to be brought forth. This is a discusssion forum......right?

What's with the helmets?

I absolutely whole-heartedly agree with you on these points. Transparency in this instance may very well save SBI. Those that are interested in racing in the future will appreciate knowing that the problems were discovered, brought into the open, discussed and changes made to prevent further issues.

I applaud the OP for posting his thoughts an FIRST HAND information of how things really happened. I witnessed the medic boat pass in front of the two cats and their ensuing confusion as to where to go next.

God Bless the families of the fallen..

Penaltybox,

First and foremost, I want to thank you for volunteering your time, expense, and your boat to be out there and look out for us. Every association needs to review the events that transpired in KW as I dont care where you race, there are always improvements to be made. While you have emphasized the good and the bad of the situation and some people seem to only focus on the bad, hopefully a)we are never faced with any sort of the travesty experienced during the worlds ever again b) the lessons learned will be implemented with the change and if worse case scenario happens again, it proceeds as smoothly as possible

Although you are beside yourself at this time, I will remind you of a positive. You had your boat as Med2 on turn 2 when I decided to go for a swim in turn 1. You calmly turned to the divers and told them to fully strap up and be ready for the assist call if needed and on top of the whole mess, you had my girlfriend on board, who has a tendency of flipping out and you kept her calm. Upon completion of the race, you immediately got clearance to run her back in to come and be with us, hell you had her in before I was able to get in. You my friend have my respect and I'll have a champagne spray battle with you anytime:drink:!

Whatever you need give us a call!!!

My point was that while we can discuss them here, WE dont get to make the changes. I know this is shocking for you Nort, but not everybody logs on and reads OSO :D As I said, I think those that make the decisions could benefit from what he remembers of the experience. I dont think anybody thinks that the system is perfect and couldnt use some tweaking. I'd just like to make sure the right people get the information.... the coast quard, SBI, local emergency crews.

As the race organizer SBI has the nickle to gather all parties involved and know their mission and explain in detail SBI's mission. A lack of ambulance(s), correct emergency/accident instruction to crews, no black flag all imply SBI fault.
ed

You said to take it up with SBI directly. He already tried on the scene right then and there, and ignored.

Like I said, changes come from discussions and this is the perfect place to do it......and believe me, more racing folks read OSO than you think. Not everyone has to discuss and not everybody has to contribute, and many just read.

I'm not sure who you mean "WE don't get to make the changes". If you mean the racers and teams, I do believe that they get to make the changes and they should, or walk away from an organization that won't listen and make improvements.

Well said !

if no changes were made in the racer's best interest, and nobody showed up.... what then?

I did drag race/car show promoting on my own nickle for a few years, and i'm here to tell ya my Safety Crew and Ambulance placement was JOB 1 of the event.... I *only* had 300-400 cars and a couple thousand people to worry about though...

I must say, and this is from doing the rescue thing at KW as well, I am very concerned there was no ambulance(s) in the mole area, pit's, or mole pier area... or was there?

something to note here before the rumor mill gets to full swing. When something like this happens it is very important to preserve all available information about the events. While we dont know what context it was said in it has to be noted that in this type of accident it is very common for helmets to be stripped off (I have seen it and in this case is very likely). At the time the events were taking place it is not outside the realm of possibility the officials were trying to preserve what exactly happened and how they were found. The official could have merely been reinforcing details rather then placing them. It is possible to read those comments with any inflection you put on them. I dont believe they were collectively trying to hide anything, I have delt with these organizations and may not agree with the way some things are done i dont really believe they are trying to cover anything up, I would sooner believe they were trying to preserve the events. It is all things that should come out while the accident is being investigated, one would hope anyway.

What I find most disturbing about this story, as told by Penalty Box, is he says he was told not to talk to anyone about it. The helmet issue also seems strange. Being told what you "didn't see," if that is in fact what happened, is always troubling.

OK I have tried to stay out of this but the reason all of us were not talking about details that went on over the radio was because this is an ongoing investigation by the Coast Guard. This is common knowledge for any accident or incident situation.
NO ONE was told "you didn't see" etc. and the reason people seemed calm to Scott (penaltybox) was because he was so emotional and excited. Yes he did scream over the radio and I will tell anyone who is screaming to calm down. I know how Scott feels and felt.....many years ago when I was first doing this, Mr. Gentry was my first bad accident and I had to go through what Scott is going through.
This was a race where rumors flooded the pits on every day regarding every subject. It has to stop. Wait for actual facts to surface and please don't make this tragedy any worse than it is.
The tapes we keep in race control will help clarify some of these statements and although we can't undo these tragic events, we hopefully can learn what needs to be done in the future.
The past week was very hard on all of us and anyone who thinks different is just obviously caught up in the adrenalin of gossip.
Please.........stop speculating.
Pat D.....medical race control

When I decided to post something about what I witnessed and was a part of; I did it for one reason. My only hope was that the safety procedures of ALL race organizations, as a whole, would be examined closer. Perhaps some changes would/could be made that could help an injured racer.

I did not want to start a blame game, nor throw mud in anyone's face.

I was also HOPING that I could voice my concerns, yet still not throw my name out there to the whole world. Ever since Pat decided to throw my name out there, it didn't take long for people to put things together, and figure out my last name. I am now getting calls from different people and even a news organization, asking for my opinions on things that I know nothing about.

Pat, thanks. Thanks for taking your frustration out on me.

As for the reason I thought people were calm; it wasn't because I was excited and emotional. I was actually commending a medical person for not only doing a great job on an injured racer, but for ALSO helping keep those less experienced people around him calm and focused. I was emotional; I can't change that now.

If this post has hurt anyone, I am deeply sorry. As I said above, I never quesitoned the ability of the medical personnel; I only question the procedures of the medical team.

Pat D,

I understand protocols and procedures.

I was commenting on the details Penalty Box provided in his account of the events after the accident. And I sourced those details back to him directly.

Here is what he says he was told:

"We called you in here tonight, because we want to make sure you don't speak with anyone about what happened today."

No mention of not discussing "radio communications" in his account.

Here, again, is what he says he was told:

"Right after the driver's meeting, I was brought to the side by a SBI official, and told, "'You did not see the racers helmets from yesterday, right?' Before I could even answer, I was told again, 'I just wanted to make sure you knew that you did not see those helmets.'"

Obviously, your recollection of those details is substantially different than his.

As for stopping speculation, it is to some degree human nature. Most of the comments I've seen here have been very respectful.

And once again, I wasn't speculating. I was commenting on his account of the events.

It seems that someone was told that.....

The next morning, there was a memorial for Bob and JT. The following day, was Friday, the 2nd day of races. Right after the driver's meeting, I was brought to the side by a SBI official, and told, "You did not see the racers helmets from yesterday, right?" Before I could even answer, I was told again, "I just wanted to make sure you knew that you did not see those helmets."


If it was all over the radio......many folks must know. So, what are the facts?