Another Boat Accident

thomas · 06 June 2013, 20:13

Bank Holiday Monday, Muscatt, on a boat excursion with my wife, 8 year old daughter, a young french couple and a german woman, the boat was a fairly normal 11 meter tourist boat with a pair of Honda 225s on the back.

Approaching the marina at full speed, over 30 knots, there was a scream from the bow of the boat, the driver jumped, turned hard to starboard and backed off the power, almost instantaneously we hit a rock and went from 30 knots to zero instantly, my wife and I were unseated during the turn and thrown about the boat, I ended up between two seats semi conscious and struggling to breath, my wife sat against the side of the boat and at first looked dead, my daughter distressed but physically ok, the Mrs came round and had no idea where she was or what had happened.

After a short trip to the marina the ambulance took us to the local hospital where we spent the rest of the day, I suffered back and chest injuries, 2 broken ribs and 2 fractured vertebra, my wife sustained a nasty head injury and memory loss and both of us had a heap of stitches.

Pretty horrendous experience which has scuppered my boating for the rest of the season and probably put my wife and daughters for good.

A witness has told me that the driver was looking at his phone at the time of the accident.

The rock we hit is the big wedge shaped one, we hit the skinny end coming from the other direction, you can see the mark left by the boat on the other image, once I get photos of the boat I'll post them, they are impressive!

Ian M · 06 June 2013, 20:18

That sounds horrendous. I hope the physical injuries heal quickly. As you say, the other sort may take longer, if at all. Are you taking any action against the boat operators and/or skipper?

Crusher · 06 June 2013, 20:19

Wow, sounds horrific! Hope you all make a speedy recovery.
I can see why that might just put you off ribbing

thomas · 06 June 2013, 20:22

Not put me off boats at all, but physically not possible for a while - I have lost all confidence driving for some reason, guess you never know what your sub conscious does to protect you.

Nick Hearne · 06 June 2013, 20:26

Thomas sorry to hear of this, hope you all make a speedy recovery.
Do hope this dose not put them off, all the best Nick.

Nos4r2 · 06 June 2013, 20:28

Bloody hell, thats awful. Hope you recover soon.

Silverfox · 06 June 2013, 20:36

Wow, sounds terrifying, hope your daughter is ok, tricky one to explain to a young one, how adults can be such plonkers at time. Not what one would call a small rock!

Hope you all make a speedy recovery.

SteveHall · 06 June 2013, 20:36

This sounds horrible, hope you all have a speedy recovery!

whisper · 06 June 2013, 20:49

Hi Thomas, I'm so sorry to hear about this, I hope you and your family make a full recovery soon.

I would take legal advice if I were you but it might be a nightmare as it's not in the uk..... Have you contacted your holiday insurance - what can they do to help?

Take it easy buddy and try not to worry about your confidence too much, it will come

If you do take legal action they should be able to put you in contact with the right people that can help with what you and your family are feeling after the event.

Chin up mate

C2 RIBS · 06 June 2013, 21:04

Thomas as you know I was shocked at this and sorry you all suffered.

Just as a total side line- is this the sort of event where you should get back in a boat like falling off a horse and getting back on.

I know health is not right yet but if you want some help with a slow run up a river in the sun please call me. It would be such a shame for your family who loved boating to miss out in the future. All the best to all of you .Ian

whisper · 06 June 2013, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

Thomas as you know I was shocked at this and sorry you all suffered.

Just as a total side line- is this the sort of event where you should get back in a boat like falling off a horse and getting back on.

I know health is not right yet but if you want some help with a slow run up a river in the sun please call me. It would be such a shame for your family who loved boating to miss out in the future. All the best to all of you .Ian

+1

PeterM · 06 June 2013, 21:11

It really saddens me to read this. I hope you're all on the mend physically and mentally. As Ian says get back on and take it slow to start.

This and xs400 posts show people do take things for granted and stuff goes wrong very fast.

I spent today helming commercially and it shows you really are responsible when you skipper a boat. As for texting while at the helm...shocking.....

thomas · 06 June 2013, 21:29

Thanks all, an accident like this gives you a new perspective on life and we are feeling pretty deep and meaningful at the moment.

The skipper was commercial and had 13 years experience, the boat was built in 2010 and run by a pretty reputable firm, just goes to show it can happen to anyone who thinks looking at a phone driving is ok, what made my daughter smile is she knows it's my pet hate and I'm always swearing at people for doing it.

kerny · 07 June 2013, 15:53

Thats awful, hope you all make a speedy recovery physically and mentally.

mister p · 07 June 2013, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerny

Thats awful, hope you all make a speedy recovery physically and mentally.

and kerny's suffix..."if you've never run aground you've never been anywhere" seems poignant.

Glad you came out of this ok. At least your daughter adds a humorous twist to this, always helps the little ones.

Rokraider · 07 June 2013, 16:52

That is horrendous! I hope you all heal quickly. Would it be worth contacting the British Embassy / Consulate for the region to get legal advice? They might help?

If you and the family want a calm jolly round Chichester Harbour to help get back on the horse. feel free to ask.

kerny · 07 June 2013, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by mister p

and kerny's suffix..."if you've never run aground you've never been anywhere" seems poignant.

... but hey!! that is a blinking great wedge shape rock innit... no excuse for hitting that

willk · 07 June 2013, 17:10

A really nasty accident. The only positive side is that you all lived to tell the tale. Hopefully a time of time will lessen both the pain and the worries.

I remember years ago in the Red Sea, having a kip between dives on a wooden dive boat anchored just off a reef. I awoke and looked over the side and there was the reef, breaking about 20 feet off our side. The wind had come around and we were seconds off losing our stern gear on the reef. The entire crew, like us passengers, were asleep....

spartacus · 07 June 2013, 22:01

Get well soon Thomas to you and your family. Whole thing sounds horrendous.

paddlers · 07 June 2013, 22:46

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!