Power Boat Hits Moored Sailboat on Hudson River

unfortunately way too many boats, especially sailboats, barely display the minimum anchor light required by the colregs. while it's supposed to be enough, I always leave extra lights on, usually on the aft deck to make sure the boat is visible.
 
You see it all the time out there, boats anchored at night with no lights on. Its a shame an accident had to happen but its a good thing no one was hurt seriously. It could have had a more tragic ending.
 
The sailboat was moored, not anchored. I didn't think a mooring required a light?
 
Regardless of the lighting situation on the sail boat, it is truly criminal that the power boat did not stay at the scene. What if those people had been too injured to help themselves????? The article doesn't mention that alcohol was involved, but who in their right mind would leave the scene like that?????
 
unless it is in a designated anchorage, moored or anchored doens't make any difference and a light is required.

note that small vessels, under 7 meters I believe, are not required to show an all around light if anchored where vessels dont' normally navigate, away from a channel or fairway.

you'd still have to be completly stupid not to show as many lights as possible!
 
A problem with sailboats is that the anchor light is usually on top of the mast, and many powerboaters like deer don't look UP. Agree with Pascal; more light is needed!

I used to hang a Coleman lantern off the boom... if they can't see THAT...
 
I'm just thinking of the moorings just north of the Tappan Zee Bridge on the west side of the river. I'm sure none of those boats are lighted. If that's what the mooring was like where this guy hit the sailboat, I can't see how the sailboat did anything wrong.

Is anyone familiar with area of the accident?
 
I'm not 100% familiar with the area but do not think there are mooring balls there. Odds are the sail boat was anchored out for the night, irregardless of the term "moored".
 
Regardless, the guy in the power boat was clearly going to fast for conditions. I run on plane at night on occasion, but I make sure radar is on, and I have reflections on the water in front of me, so I can see at least 100 feet out front. Hard to miss a boat directly in front of you, unless it is too dark and no radar. Then to run away is just irresponsible.

I do agree that boaters need to use more lights when moored or anchored. I usually leave an extra few on, but also try to anchor in out of the way spots, to try and avoid the chance of something like this happening to me.
 
As has been mentioned, I think they meant anchored and not on a mooring. I cant think of any in the area that he could have been on. With that said I would still feel more comfortable having my anchor light on even if I was on a mooring. Especially if I'm asleep in side.

Yes the power boater is still responsible for excess speed and hit and run. Never drive faster than you can see. That's just asking for trouble. Radar does not pick up everything. I for one would never run on plane, I just don't think I could react fast enough.
 
I took a dink ride across river yesterday to Viking Boat Yard and saw the sailboat anchored outside the marinas. A strange place to anchor but it was well out of the channel.
 
Which makes me wonder why he was running fast, east bound, in that area?
 
quote:
Originally posted by BenDiss

Which makes me wonder why he was running fast, east bound, in that area?

Click to expand...


Maybe Boss Hog or Sheriff Beuford T Justice was after him?
 
Sounds like he left the scene to sober up before the police got him.

MJK
 
quote:
Originally posted by BenDiss

Which makes me wonder why he was running fast, east bound, in that area?

Click to expand...


My guess is he was one of "those" people who like to run on plane right up to the marina entrance and then slow down before they enter the seawall. We see lots of them every weekend as our boat looks out towards the river.

My wife and I call them, IDIOTS!

At mid to high tide you would be surprised at how many boaters don't even bother using the marked channels. So I'm surmising the power boater was taking a shortcut.
 
BTW - I think the sailboaters pick a VERY poor spot to drop the hook. I remember thinking, "another sailboater too cheap to pay transient fees". I could be wrong but thats what crossed my mind.
 
I have seen sail boat(s) anchored there before there may in fact be a mooring there. Just out in front of the sea wall. In any event the power boat was in the wrong for leaving.
 
I have been in and out of there several times and don't recall seeing a mooring there. I have seen sail boats anchored there before. Perhaps Good Grief or Al Priscoe could chime in. I think they are both over in that area.

As stated several times, no mater what the power boater is still in the wrong as the charges against him indicate. The sail boaters are only responsible for putting them selves at risk. There are several options that would have avoided this..

Lights on, paying for a slip in Viking or Cortland or Haverstraw, Going a little further south and anchoring in Croton, South croton or Bowline. Any of these options would have possibly avoided this accident.
 
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