Boat kills diver NZ

[CuzzA]

Unfortunately, we hear about this all too often. Private boats and even dive charters, and I just can't understand it. Before I bought my boat, I took a boating course from US Power Squadron. I seem to remember this being covered well. Engines off, not just in neutral, when people are in the process of boarding or going in.

We will drop divers with engines on as we don't anchor. But the call signal to drop is "neutral" or "get the f off the boat." Saying "go" doesn't work because it can be misheard as "no."

Picking up divers is pretty simple as a diver can see when the props are in neutral, from that point no one on the boat should be near the helm.

This of course is all in regards to private diving with an experienced three to four man crew.

 

[CuzzA]

I had no requirement to take the Florida Boat Safety course due to my age. However, when my insurance said they'd give me a 5% discount on the annual premium for taking it, and being that the course was free I went ahead and got my 5% off. Took about an hour. You can skip the lessons and go straight to the quiz and final test, but both require a score of 100% to pass so it would be wise for the novice boater to follow the lessons.

I'd call the course a decent boater education 101, but it's no substitute for years of hands on experience... which is why accidents like this happen. Rough weather, diving next to obstructions, what sounds like a big boat not setup for diving, inexperienced owner, inexperienced divers... recipe for disaster.

 

[Belzelbub]

We will drop divers with engines on as we don't anchor. But the call signal to drop is "neutral" or "get the f off the boat." Saying "go" doesn't work because it can be misheard as "no."

Yeah, I can understand that. In your case, the captain is at the helm. In the course I took, the risk mentioned was really around someone accidentally bumping the throttle in gear. Most important, though is clear communication and understanding by all.

 

[CuzzA]

Yeah, I can understand that. In your case, the captain is at the helm. In the course I took, the risk mentioned was really around someone accidentally bumping the throttle in gear. Most important, though is clear communication and understanding by all.

No doubt that is a risk. A con for center console boats, especially drive by wire engines as the gear and throttle control is so light compared to cables.

I think regarding this story it's pretty clear the owner showed his inexperience. Boating in forecasted rough weather, diving and boating near obstructions that threaten the hull. This boat was most likely too much for a new boater, though it does not say how big it is.

 

[undrwater]

In California, all boaters have to have a California Boaters Licence (boaters card) in possession when operating a boat by January 1, 2025. This January, all boaters 50, or younger, must have a boaters licence when operating. According to the state, "Your California Boater Card will be accepted in all states that require NASBLA-approved certification and the card is good for life."

Does this include lakes as well? I spent a lot of my youth at Bass Lake just south of Yosemite. A ton of the economy was built around boat rentals, and other boating activities.

 

[Bob DBF]

Here in Ontario Canada you have to have a Boaters card, but it's an online "course", with nothing to stop a cheater, and no practical exam. Pretty much a joke and a money-grab.

You have a point, but most will take the course responsibly, and whether they cheat or not it will cut down the I didn't know excuse in court.

You are exempt not because there is this magical fund of experience with age, but for the practical implementation of safety measures that older stubborn people will not likely be accepting of. Call it a grandfather clause, but you could always pursue this course voluntarily.

In California on 1 january 2025 everyone operating, has to have the boaters licence, which is when I have to have mine.

Does this include lakes as well? I spent a lot of my youth at Bass Lake just south of Yosemite. A ton of the economy was built around boat rentals, and other boating activities.

I believe there is an exemption for small sailboats and rental boats, however the rental agency will want to see a card, as the liability for bad operators will be on the agency.

 

[undrwater]

I believe there is an exemption for small sailboats and rental boats, however the rental agency will want to see a card, as the liability for bad operators will be on the agency.

Past practice there has been drivers license secures the keys to the boat, but the driver doesn't have to have any license.

Most popular rentals are powered fishing boats and powered house boats.

 

[Bob DBF]

Past practice there has been drivers license secures the keys to the boat, but the driver doesn't have to have any license.

Most popular rentals are powered fishing boats and powered house boats.

California law requires a person to be 16 years of age or older and in possession of his/her California Boater Card to legally operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 hp or more, including personal watercraft (PWCs).

So I guess it is just the small lake fishing boats that are exempted. Depends what site I hit how the information was presented, so it took a bit to find the law.

 

[CuzzA]

You have a point, but most will take the course responsibly, and whether they cheat or not it will cut down the I didn't know excuse in court.

If they cheat on the online test they will have at least found/been exposed to the right answer. Sometimes I think these courses are designed so that the graded tests are part of the learning.

And yes, it satisfies the knew or should have known issue as maritime law is a bit different than civil law, especially pertaining to the fact everyone is responsible for trying to avoid an accident even if you did nothing wrong to cause an accident. If you didn't do enough to attempt to avoid an accident a US federal maritime court judge will apportion blame to both parties.

 

[Jeff_O]

The California Boating License I took online free. Boats US was offering it and maybe still is. They have fee courses as well. So that is why I guess they offer the one free and maybe they get you to try fee courses too. California State Parks I had to give my passing grade to and $10 got be a nice laminated card. Though my thought and what has prior been said was to move to be up wind, up current, set anchor, let out very long current line. I had a charter boat help some of us that had to swim up to the line. They added more line but still had quite a swim. As many of us were worn out a bit, they hauled the line with us holding on for some of the time getting to the swim step. Only the generator going. Engine off. An underwater siren I know they may had used then when the boat was dragging ankor for a bit on this night dive. Actually the first night dive of many. Still did not stop me from hope to have on multi-day trips to do more night dives. Wire mesh covers over props probably cause cavitation so could only go slow. I had seen some of these. Maybe a way that they are somehow automatically moved away from covering the prop or props while all divers are on board.