I realize it wasn't the cruisers fault. I can't and will not pin the blame for this on anyone. True that you should be able to see a large cruiser wake but I have to tell you sometimes they are much worse than they look from behind. Especially if the sun is in your eyes. This is a tragedy and me not being there I'm not going to blame anyone. However I get real annoyed at these idiots that won't get on plane because a coffee cup might fall off the table. They just annoy me, there in the way. All I ask is that they do 25. that is cruising speed for most cruisers. It's no wonder the Jet-skis like to follow them. I hope every cruiser that runs at half-plane gets surrounded by jet skis to the point it drives them crazy. And I have to disagree with your very last statement. I don't think they're clueless.

Roby

Gonna have to side with robyw1 on this one. Except how do they keep a coffe cup on the table at a 45 degree angle? Watch the big cruisers at LOTO. They ride sideways in their seat just to watch their wake slam boats and dock. Thats their excitement for the day.

Audiofn,

It's too bad that you saw this tragic event. I'm sure you felt helpless, which makes it much worse.
Accidents are terrible things. It's easy to sit back and point the finger at one cause. One accident is too many, right?. The more boats, the more accidents. It's no different than cars.
1000 Islands is a great place to boat. I've been there many times as a "tourist". Go there knowing that you have to SHARE the water with everone else, smart or not.

Very sad. I hate to hear this.

You scared me at first because a good friend is up there from North Carolina with his Spectre Cat.

I don't think Jon meant the cruiser was clueless about running the boat, I think he meant they were unaware of the disaster behind them. Correct me if I'm wrong Jon.

Jon,

Just a point of verification. You were on the Saint Lawrence River. The poker run never went onto Lake Ontario. We stopped to help an OL that looked to be on fire. We approached while still billowing with smoke but they waved us off to say rescue was not needed. We stayed and waved my red safety flag to keep fast approaching boats at bay. If anyone has any info as to what actually happened etc., please let me know.

please dont speculate. the 26 AO was friend and the guy in the fountain who pulled the young lady out was also a friend. Three boats were running along side (give or take) when the cat pulled ahead and the accident occurred. More details will follow I am sure in an official press release. Audio, It surely had to be very difficult to watch this accident happen. My condolences to the families involved...
Yes The 1000 islands can be very dangerous in the main channels...as with every other place in the world that has high traffic.

So does this make you realize that wearing life jackets at all times isn't a bad idea?

Did anyone notice in the PB coverage of the NY Poker run how few participants wore live jackets? Isn't it the minimum you can do? Oh and don't forget the lanyard to the kill switch.

These things happen without warning. You must be prepared ahead of time.

I've been less than faithful about a jacket, though I am wearing my tether more all the time.

I was a seat belt rebel forever too, though working trauma at the E.R. has opened my eyes as well. I've seen the results of belted vs. not-belted many, many times. There's no question in my mind anymore.

http://www.news10now.com/content/all...25980&SecID=83