+1

No speed has been mentioned and that is ok by me. They were hauling but as first hand account in #216 indicates, the closeness in which they are bunched and the fact the photo choppers are still hanging around at low altitude suggest, they were not pushing 100%.

At 2:39 in the DCB-desert-storm-2013 video (crash at the end sequence) You can hear the motors change as the silver cat to the right (underneath the chopper) pushes the sticks and pulls out in front. Following that, it appears it drifts to the left of what one might say was "holding its line"
At the same time the silver DCB 35 and black cat to the left are moving right to avoid upstream traffic AND spectator boats sticking out.

From my vantage point of the two videos out, having attended DS in the past and other poker runs; my keyboard analysis of contributing factors that SUMMED into an accident -

1) Silver cat accelerating and cutting the corner apex slightly
2) DCB35 while recognizing the spectator and oncoming hazards, did not slow sufficiently to compensate for the turbid water and air passing so close behind the silver cat and the drifting line created by changing course due to the hazards.
3) Poor viewing position anchoring choice by several spectator boats. They were anchored too far from shore, at the apex of a river bend
4) boat traveling upstream near center channel, assumingly to avoid passing too close to the poorly anchored spectator boats. While this boat was running fast enough and became aware of the approaching flight to duck tighter to shore, the approaching flight would not have been able to read his mind.

I really enjoyed DS 2009 when I was there but did think there could have been more volunteer safety boats both for the poker run and speed runs.
There is no warning I know of alerting boaters before the flights come roaring by. My suggestion would be to have a few patrol boats head down the course in the hour before the start to encourage people to move in sufficient time they can reset safely and not feel burdened they only have minutes to move and might miss the viewing. Have them conspicuously marked as safety boats which will also elevate the attention of general boaters. Finally with 10-15 minutes left, have several boats stationed along the route pop smoke, turn on temporary flashing lights, etc and drive 3-5 miles. This final signaling could be molded as "ceremony" but should also act as a warning of the high speed boats soon approaching for those with their head in the desert sand. Throw some free gas to the patrol boats if there is trouble getting volunteers.

2009 was before the current Shootout location change but No Wake was not enforced in a large enough buffer or though out the length of the course which created rough water for both speed and spectator participants. There were a few patrol boats with signage but it looked more like an afterthought and finger wag than anything to be taken seriously. I also felt like there was an overall "west coast, I'm here to do my thing, fu vibe" by many as they passed by.
LOTO's Shootout is very obvious with many bannered patrol boats backed by Water Patrol that you are crossing into a No Wake zone and you better not push it.

I enjoyed the event. Lots of fun and fast boats which CAN continue but a little more active course management could increase safety of both spectators and participants.

I agree with Glass Dave, trying to turn left, crossing wake at angle, left sponson comes up, inward prop rotation equals bad situation. I believe the prop rotation had a factor in the rollover. As far as all cats turning in I don't and never will. There are many boats turnig props out. Ck Pure Platinum. Dave is spot on.
Glad no one seriously hurt. On another note I think each boat in a poker run should be given smoke flares that they can use to alert on coming boats in case of an accident like a caution flag in racing.

I couldnt believe what i was seeing when the M41 jumped the start before pilot rock instead of what was discussed in the drivers meeting.Bob Teaque made it very clear that everybody was to hold there line with no jockeying for position and that once ALL boats made the left turn at pilot rock and were lined up with open water -then they could go.
After the M41 left,the M35 and the 32 DCB to my left took off.My first thoughts when i saw the M35 leave was that his nose was to high,then he cut over right thru the M41 wake which didnt end so well.The 32 DCB was running next to him and when the M35 lost it- the 32 cut right in front of me hosing me down bad.I let off the throttles and turned right as i couldnt see a thing.The hose down shut my port motor down which by that time i came to a complete stop and restarted it.By that time i saw the 2 from the M35 floating and they appeared to be okay as other boats reached out to them.I then got up on plane and as i accelerated i heard a backfire from the port motor.I was unable to go over 140 to the first card stop and on the way back up the lake the MSD finally gave out.My bilge had 4 inches of water from front to back from the hosing down and the MSD didnt last long after that.
Sad day that shouldnt have happened.We will see what action the promotor takes as this kind of behavior has gone on way to long.They need to make a example out of the people involved and every one is watching and waiting.

What speeds was the group running prior to those boat taking off from the pack ? Sorry to hear a bunch of ass clowns messed up the event.
ed

You are absolutely 100% incorrect regarding your statement about "no helicopters tried to help due to not being set up for rescue". Both R44's were equipped with divers and responded immediately. The blue R44 was first on scene within 45-60 seconds of the boat going over. The situation was accessed and the decision to not deploy any divers was made based on the rescue that had taken place below. I know this as fact, as I was in the second R44 and was sitting right next to the diver.

Thanks for shedding light on the situation.....Glad no one was hurt...

Yeah.....they are taking the risk right up until the AH driving over his head broadsides an innocent bystander.........

skater40 I would had been pissed if they dossed my boat that bad.but at our lake several years ago, we were anchored out watching when a Daytona with twin turbines went within 20 feet of our boat trying to spray us I guess, we watched him turn towards us didn't know to jump in the water and swim to the bottom or what, sadly a few years later he and his family lost there life in a terrible crash at the same lake. not saying anything but during takeoff, when the flag drops so does most everybodys attention, they tend to keep looking ahead even when theyre drifting over in frt of other drivers who are coming up hard from the rear , not even knowing they cut people off or sprayed the heck out of them.