BUI boater in Seattle kills one

Hopefully this guy will not get off because the sailboat didn't have proper lights on…this seems to be a recurring occurrence with these hit boats after dark story…We seem to see one of these type of incidents almost every week in Florida….

Alcohol and boating don't mix..
 
I have not seen or heard the size or make on the sailboat, but they were running on outboard propulsion, so essentially another power boat. Not to excuse the BUI driver but like Bob says, they would still need to be properly lit as well and taking appropriate action.

Totally agree, alcohol and boating do not mix.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
There are some brief clips of both the sail boat (appears to be about 22 to 25 foot Cuddy cabin sloop--rig is standing, boom in the cockpit,, may have taken out the back stay (?)). The Power boat appears to be about 25 to 26 feet long--I/O. There were 7 (3 went into the water) on the sail boat and 4 on the power boat. Apparently neither craft sank or took on large amounts of water.

Is there a speed limit ? --I believe this occurred in Lake Washington? I would think that a relatively confined space after dark, that a wide open speed in its self would be dangerous.

In any boating accident there is a proportionment of fault--however the driver of the power boat being intoxicated may override the right of way issues, if any. The $500,000 bail is pretty high, and apparently the driver of the power boat had a DUI and beat the charge with a year suspended jail sentence.

I have found in our area, that the marine patrol is often not well equipped to investigate accidents on the water, and even more so after dark. We had an incident when a Go Fast traveling at a speed of at least 35 knots hit a rental PWC which was at idle killing the two passengers. The Marine patrol did not get a blood alcohol for over 10 hours--and eventually found a number of liquor bottles which the driver of the Go Fast had thrown out of his boat right after the collision. The driver was found not guilty in a criminal trial, but lost in a civil case where the award was in the 8 figure range.
 
Statistics are that DUI's WILL re-offend often. This is a case of a guy offending and getting off then killing someone.

My view of boat or auto DUI is the first one gets a one year suspension of driving permit if no injuries are associated. The second DUI is a permanent suspension of driving/boating...I mean for life.

If the first DUI results in injury to another, then it would be a five year suspension plus any appropriate jail time.

If the first DUI results in death of another, then it is manslaughter and 15 to life for the offender and life time loss of drivers permit.

But hey, that's just me.
 
My view of boat or auto DUI is the first one gets a one year suspension of driving permit if no injuries are associated. The second DUI is a permanent suspension of driving/boating...I mean for life.
If the first DUI results in injury to another, then it would be a five year suspension plus any appropriate jail time.
If the first DUI results in death of another, then it is manslaughter and 15 to life for the offender and life time loss of drivers permit.
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You don't live in Seattle or WA State. We even got pot now! So add that to the mix. Walk around Seattle and you'll see people just lighting up in public with no care in the world (even though that's "against the law"). It's ridiculous. Just more brilliance coming out of Olympia. Impairment is impairment. The pols don't care. It's all about the "revenue".
 
I"m not a tea totaler or anything, but I always thought that the most effective DUI deterrent is if someone gets stopped and blows over the limit there should be a summary execution on the spot. The remains should be left in place with a big sign that says what occurred. This would get the drunks off the road one way or the other.

I know it's a bit extreme and would never happen, but it would probably be pretty effective after a short introductory period.
 
I drink. But I drink socially and limit my intake. I do not drink to "get drunk". I also drink water, while on the water, to keep hydrated. I've seen the carnage. I don't want that on my conscience. And with my chosen profession, I cannot afford to be impaired.
 
localboy":2r4s2g5w said:
I drink. But I drink socially and limit my intake. I do not drink to "get drunk". I also drink water, while on the water, to keep hydrated. I've seen the carnage. I don't want that on my conscience. And with my chosen profession, I cannot afford to be impaired.
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I know people who behave exactly the same way with pot.
 
Unfortunately some of these habitual DUI folks are sociopaths--no conscience. They will drive without a license, drink no matter what the consequences.
 
localboy":1rqel6fs said:
I drink. But I drink socially and limit my intake. I do not drink to "get drunk". I also drink water, while on the water, to keep hydrated. I've seen the carnage. I don't want that on my conscience. And with my chosen profession, I cannot afford to be impaired.
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I have no problem with drinking, I enjoy it. But for the same reason I dont do it while boating. boating has enough risks. If there is an accident my sobriety will not be in question.
 
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