Cautionary Tales - Why it's important to have the kill switch attached

[CapeAnn]

Care to share some other cautionary tales?

Catalina Island in California gets a lot of boat traffic during the summer. You see all sorts of crazy boat drivers during this time. And accompanying accidents - sometimes they involve inflatables. I'll share one which is called don't drink and drive + not use your kill switch.

Some middle-aged guys (two) were borrowing a RIB from a yacht and guzzling beer while driving. They hit a small wave which launched the driver and occupant out of the RIB. The RIB continues at full throttle on the water and in horror I watch the inflatable skitter 1/4 mile offshore and re-direct itself into a small cove with teenagers learning how to sail and scuba. In less than sixty seconds the RIB is now buzzing into the cove with zero time to warn kids to get out of the way. The RIB makes a U-turn and now goes ripping towards a group of kids using a Cat. The RIB manages to work itself in between the hull of the CAT while the sail instructor heroically pushes kids out of the way - but gets nailed in the gut by the RIB hull. Internal injuries. Kids are wailing in fright. Miraculously no one is killed.

The boat grounds itself on the beach and the engine sputters off. The two _______ks make it to our shore. Catalina Harbor Patrol, Sheriff are called & they investigate the scene. It is all we can do not to pummel the driver and occupant (smell of beer) into senselessness for their actions. They could easily have killed, or mutilated several kids. A boat propeller can easily rip off a limb, or dice off a cranium. Sadly, this happens all the time around the world and because of careless boat operation I sport a foot-long piece of stainless in my body. That's another gruesome story in itself.

I think it goes without saying - don't drink and drive + forget to attached the kill switch lanyard to yourself. Outboards on full throttle without a driver are like torpedos with only ugly results.

Cheers,

CapeAnn

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Cautionary Tales - Why it's important to have the kill switch attached

I hope lot of people read this post. Use mine except when trolling on autopilot, cause I need to be free to move about the boat.

 

[azzurro]

Re: Cautionary Tales - Why it's important to have the kill switch attached

A RIB hull seems dangerous enough, but a tiller driven sib is definitely the worst you can face as you cannot kick it when it comes - it just planes over you with a meat-crusher on the other side.
And it usually turns round and round, so if you fall overboad, the boat will return to you again and again...

3 summers ago I saw a poor eighteen boy absolutely bloodless in 1 minute. Almost 20 deep cuts from foot to face.

Always be careful.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Cautionary Tales - Why it's important to have the kill switch attached

A RIB hull seems dangerous enough, but a tiller driven sib is definitely the worst you can face as you cannot kick it when it comes - it just planes over you with a meat-crusher on the other side. And it usually turns round and round, so if you fall overboad, the boat will return to you again and again...

That's why it's imperative to have internal throttle mechanism lightly adjusted for throtle grip to fully return to idle setting, you must also need to have your swivel bracket friction screw adjusted tight enough as to not let engine turn freely in circles if you ever fall from boat, including throttle arm adjustment as not to have a bouncing throttle arm & grip, a real danger in choppy, heavy seas or just crossing a high wake.

These 3 issues are very important to have into consideration. Preferibly go find your sib/rib at Bimini than injuring/killing yourself or somebody else. Always wear your kill switch at wrist or attached to life jacket and make sure it works shutting engine down properly.

Happy Boating

 

[lineofsight]

Re: Cautionary Tales - Why it's important to have the kill switch attached

That's why it's imperative to have internal throttle mechanism lightly adjusted for throtle grip to fully return to idle setting, you must also need to have your swivel bracket friction screw adjusted tight enough as to not let engine turn freely in circles if you ever fall from boat, including throttle arm adjustment as not to have a bouncing throttle grip, a real danger in choppy and heavy seas.

These 3 issues are very important to have into consideration. Preferibly go find your sib/rib at Bimini than injuring/killing yourself or somebody else. Always wear your kill switch at wrist or attached to life jacket and make sure it works shutting engine down properly.

Happy Boating

Excellent advice. Second the "always" comment too - start out all cool, calm & collected... then at the end of day decide to launch over a couple wakes on way back (and then whilst catching air recalling not take the kill switch lanyard with)