Boating incident on Falls Lake (storage, cabin, license plate)

[TabbyCats]

A friend of mine was hurt in a freak (yet preventable!) boating accident a couple of weeks ago, and her husband asked that I post this on the forum to see if any of you C-D folks could help:


Falls Lake boat incident
On Sunday, 9/2/2012, at approximately 3:00 PM we were on Falls Lake in our 18 foot bowrider approaching the New Light Road bridge. There was a 39 foot Sea Ray cabin cruiser named Summer Breeze approaching us in the opposite direction. Upon clearing the bridge, Summer Breeze gunned its throttle creating an excessive wake. Our boat got caught in this wake and as a result, my wife (who was in the bow) fractured her arm in multiple locations requiring surgery. There was a boat following Summer Breeze who was kind enough to stop to see if we were all right. At that time we were in the process of stabilizing my wife and calling 911. If you have any information regarding this incident please contact Frank Boate' at frankboate@msn.com or 919-600-4633. Thank you.

If you know anything about this--or have heard about it--please contact Frank.

Thanks!
Tab

[Strongasabear]

I wouldn't think it would be too hard to look up the owner of Summer Breeze by the registration.

[ReaderGirl]

Contact the folks at Falls Lake Marina. We've had problems out there before and have had to report it to them and to the police. They might can help track down the offending boat owners. Good luck. I hate this happened to your wife.

[underPSI]

This boat is frequently out at Falls lake. In fact, it's launched at Upper Barton boat ramp and is hauled on a triple-axle trailer which is towed by a black late-90s Yukon that has a Porsche license plate on the front. How's that for being observant?

However, what did the large boat do wrong? After clearing the bridge the boat exits a "no wake" zone so obviously can accelerate at will. A boat that large (I don't think it's 39'. It may be ~27'.) isn't going to take off excessively fast so getting on plane will take a while. An off-plane boat will produce a large wave and having encountered waves from "Summer Breeze" I do they are large. But what fault is that of the boat? In my opinion, it sounds to me that the driver of Frank's boat would be at fault for not turning the bow at a 45 degree angle towards the wave (inexperienced) or not warning the wife about incoming waves.

Just sayin'.

[boardjnky4]

Its actually a 32 footer. My parents had one exactly like it years ago so I always remember.

[boardjnky4]

I agree with underpsi though. They didn't do anything wrong. I am sorry your wife got hurt though.

[underPSI]

Originally Posted by boardjnky4

Its actually a 32 footer. My parents had one exactly like it years ago so I always remember.

I still find it hard to believe it's that big. There's a heck of a break-over at Upper Barton launch ramp. I would think a trailer, which would be around 36', for a 32' boat would drag but this one doesn't as I've seen it launched. I, also, don't think the Yukon that tows this boat would be stout enough to pull a 32' up that ramp without using 4-low which it doesn't.

[TabbyCats]

Thanks for the replies. I'll certainly pass them along.

[boardjnky4]

Originally Posted by underPSI

I still find it hard to believe it's that big. There's a heck of a break-over at Upper Barton launch ramp. I would think a trailer, which would be around 36', for a 32' boat would drag but this one doesn't as I've seen it launched. I, also, don't think the Yukon that tows this boat would be stout enough to pull a 32' up that ramp without using 4-low which it doesn't.

I'm positive on the size. I've never see them launch at Barton's though. I figured they are doing wet storage at the marina up the lake.

[kelly237]

I would start by talking to the Wildlife Patrols on the lake and the marina..