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Tuber struck and killed in Florida..

So tragic. This hits close to home for me. The woman across the street from us lost her only child in similar fashion. He was tubing behind his PWC and was struck by some girls on a different PWC. This happened 7 years ago this past July in Fort Lauderdale. I think he was 29 year old and was married 14 weeks before he died.
 
Well, I also tend to think whomever was driving the boat that struck the tuber should've been watching where he was going, he might've been following too close or something.

Seems like a comedy of errors.
 
I can see hitting a submerged stick or something. But I will NEVER understand how you can hit something that large on top of the water..

My head is on a swivel when I ride.

Mostly because I am looking for others that are not as sharp as I am I guess..

It is a real shame,,,,
 
Sportster-2001-951C-Stock said:
Well, I also tend to think whomever was driving the boat that struck the tuber should've been watching where he was going, he might've been following too close or something.

Seems like a comedy of errors.
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Not sure I follow.... In both cases the tubers were struck by PWC's. And I would think that the PWC drivers were definitely not paying enough attention, not noticing that there was a tube behind the other craft. That's why the laws state you cannot pass within a certain amount of feet of another watercraft.
 
Sad, I cannot fathom losing a child in this fashion. I happened over a causeway Sunday on my way to meet some family for dinner and the intercoastal waterway looked like boat soup. Not for me.

I am not new to boating, I grew up on them and know enough not to go out on Holiday weekends. My neighbor 2 doors down was out getting his boat ready Sunday morning, he saw me outside and asked if I was going out. Since he is the sort to ONLY go out on holiday weekend I politely said I was a newb and had no business out there with all the "experienced" boaters.

I thought I was being nice. :)

I already have laid plans to work on Saturdays next summer so we can go out on Mondays when the water is empty and play. Or maybe work on Saturday after taking off on a Friday.
 
I almost got the tube out for my kid this weekend. Looked around and saw the Amount if boats getting ready to launch and quickly changed my mind.

There's 7 lakes where we're at that are all attached by channels. One lake gets too busy, see if the others are dead.

I'm amazed how little attention people pay while on the water.
 
Having room to play is not an issue on Lake Erie. If it is calm enough tontine the kids I got out 4 miles or so. No one around but me, my kids and my two skis.

I let my second ski just drift if there is only the three of us. We just tube with it in sight.
 
Erie here is way rough over here, I'm not sure a tube would pull well behind a ski.

Seems like every time I go out on Erie it's 4 footers... Which is awesome for jumping...but for very little else.
 
A similar accident happened on an inland lake in Michigan just over a month ago. 2 of 3 kids died when a "BOATER" ran over their tube while being towed by a PWC with the dad driving....but NO SPOTTER on the PWC. No tickets handed out as the police said it was an accident.
 
Seadoobuddy said:
A similar accident happened on an inland lake in Michigan just over a month ago. 2 of 3 kids died when a "BOATER" ran over their tube while being towed by a PWC with the dad driving....but NO SPOTTER on the PWC. No tickets handed out as the police said it was an accident.
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Any death is bad,, but to lose 2 of 3 is devastating,,
 
I have been on the water since I can remember but am new to own/controlling a watercraft and am scared to death my inexperience could cause something like this. I hope once my build is done the my respect of the fear will keep me from being a foul headed foul! Prayers go out to the family and friends
 
cscott89 said:
I have been on the water since I can remember but am new to own/controlling a watercraft and am scared to death my inexperience could cause something like this. I hope once my build is done the my respect of the fear will keep me from being a foul headed foul! Prayers go out to the family and friends
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Same here, I plan on attending some boater safety courses over the winter months with the USCG. It is crazy that in most places you can buy a boat and head out to the water the same day with no training whatsoever.
 
Jims5543 said:
Same here, I plan on attending some boater safety courses over the winter months with the USCG. It is crazy that in most places you can buy a boat and head out to the water the same day with no training whatsoever.
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Doing so can lower your insurance rates in most states. Even if not, you will learn a lot.
 
cscott89 said:
I have been on the water since I can remember but am new to own/controlling a watercraft and am scared to death my inexperience could cause something like this. I hope once my build is done the my respect of the fear will keep me from being a foul headed foul! Prayers go out to the family and friends
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as complicated as it all appears, its really quite simple, keeping a safe distance and showing respect for other craft on the water is critical, and ALWAYS having eyes open for danger is a must. I spend a lot of time in narrow waterways with two way boat traffic, so you never know when an oncoming boat, or a fisherman is going to be around the corner so you always have to be aware of your surroundings, and be prepared to take corrective action at all times, it only takes one mistake to turn a great day on the water to a day you'll regret forever. In my case its also canoe's and kayaks, which can easily be tipped over if you come by too fast or too close.

I stress to all people that ride with me to respect other boats, and keep a safe distance from the other PWC's in your ride group as well, no splashing, etc. You are not Maverick, and no its not ok to buzz the tower ! Its not worth the risk.

If your new to the water a boaters course is a wonderful idea, and getting used to the water experience on weekdays and not weekends is very helpful. My daughter got her boaters certificate at age 14, almost all of her rides were weekday's until I felt comfortable bringing her out on a weekend.
 
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Jims5543 said:
Same here, I plan on attending some boater safety courses over the winter months with the USCG. It is crazy that in most places you can buy a boat and head out to the water the same day with no training whatsoever.
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I'm new to it all as well. I put forth driving my Doo the same as I do my car, always on alert, checking mirrors, anticipating moves, etc. On the Doo I'm always on the swivel. Though it's not required for me to have the boater's safety course because I was born before Jan. '88, I took the course anyway and finished it as of 2, Sept. Better to have the knowledge.
 
NX EXA said:
I'm new to it all as well. I put forth driving my Doo the same as I do my car, always on alert, checking mirrors, anticipating moves, etc. On the Doo I'm always on the swivel. Though it's not required for me to have the boater's safety course because I was born before Jan. '88, I took the course anyway and finished it as of 2, Sept. Better to have the knowledge.
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It's not me I'm worried about. I'm worried about all the others that don't know the rules of the water. I took my boaters Ed coarse and learned a lot but found out first trip to the lake with my new knowledge that there are so many ppl out that don't know or just don't follow the rules/laws.
 
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