Perspective, https://www.speedonthewater.com/trag...est-poker-run/

Stu is not wrong in this quote from the article.

“These accidents should simply not be happening,” he said. “Every performance-boating enthusiast across the country needs to take a big step back and take inventory of their very own boating safety management practices—every time they step into their boat.“These accidents must stop or we will lose the freedom to enjoy this lifestyle we so much enjoy,” he added.

yeah.... but if i am not mistaken, it does not seem like someone was overdriving...
sounds more like the planets lined up for a bad turn out...
off course, it still happened, i get that. But does not seem to be due to
the FPB organisation of the event or similar to this reason...

So sad!

As one who has spent many, many hrs attempting to navigate the Fla Keys, and has run aground…,it is very easy to do.

I always back off when I’m not sure although most say not to as you draw less at speed.

We ran our 24’ Sonic aground in the channel leading to Hog Heaven in Islamorada from the Atlantic and we have used that channel 100 times.

It was marked by a single pc of 1” diameter PVC pipe, unpainted!

We had always come/gone, off plane and navigated the narrow channel by watching the bottom from the boat.

On one trip I was out on the point, at the harbor entrance when a twin OB center console, same size as our Sonic, left on plane!

And made it!

I watched him very carefully so I could retrace his course and do same.

Couldnt wait to tell the Mrs what I’d learned and try it.

There is a dog leg in that channel and I missed it by 2’ and ran aground!

I knew it was there and thought I had it but zero room for error.

Since we WERE going slow, the Mrs and I were able to push it back into the channel!

The comment in the story about the fatal passenger being a guest, scares me silly when giving friends/family rides at speed!

God speed to the young woman.

From someone who was there on the PR, and at the scene of the incident: "driver refused to blow or answer questions".

Stu is OVERLY adamant about captains/drivers/thottlemen NOT drinking, to the point I think the FPC still issues different color wristbands for them, and they are NOT allowed to be drinking during the run.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, family, and friends closest to them. But let's be sure not to call this an "accident" IF the above turns out to be true in the end.

A lesson to be learned: High performance boaters are guilty by association until proven innocent in any accident situation. We all have a big bullseye on our hulls. The media will immediately paint a picture of a reckless hp boater. I’ve know more than a few folks whose lives were ruined due to their negligence in addition to a few that were innocent and did nothing wrong and were cleared years later while agonizing prior to court appearances.

Those with the new multi engine center consoles need to consider them the same as a HP Cat or V bottoms and follow strict captain protocol “No alcohol on board” Don’t know if alcohol applies to this situation, purported driver refused to blow doesn’t look good but let the investigation process determine the root cause here.

Heartfelt Condolences to the Families

Stu is a wise man.

Husker,

This is why I never drink while we're on our boat, and rarely even when we're guests on someone else's boat. If something were to happen, I can at least say it wasn't the alcohol.

Thanks. Brad.

Sorry buddy...

He was taken in and did blow and also was advised to get bloodwork to show nothing else in the system as he did. He had nothing in his system at all.

This is a tragedy. A young friend lost her life. Please respect the family and friends.

Please leave it up to the authorities to investigate and do the report. Read it once it comes out. If you need help, let me know.

Now that you have established a breath sample was provided what was the BAC reading?