Boating experts say NY yacht overcrowded; 3 dead

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By FRANK ELTMAN

OYSTER BAY, N.Y. (AP) - A yacht that capsized with 27 friends and family aboard on an outing to watch Fourth of July fireworks was severely overcrowded and doomed to tip over, safety experts said Thursday as the skipper blamed the tragedy on a wave that came out of the dark.

Three children died after becoming trapped Wednesday night in the cabin of the 34-foot vessel off Oyster Bay, on the north shore of Long Island.

Sal Aurelino, who was at the helm of the Candi I, told TV's News12 Long Island that he saw two lightning bolts, and then a wave suddenly hit.

"It turned the boat around," he said, his voice cracking. "It just turned the boat. I didn't see it. It was dark. I didn't see it."

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20120705/D9VR0AI00.html

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Map locates where a yacht capsized near Oyster Bay, New York.

[HooptieWagon]

1. The boat was grossly overloaded.

8 people is about the max for a 34' cabin cruiser. 27 is just way too many. If several were sitting on the roof or flying bridge that raises the center of gravity a lot. It was an accident waiting to happen. Ill bet he didnt have 27 life jackets anoard, either...

[crim son]

2. A tragically stupid mistake

that he will live with for the rest of his life.

[HooptieWagon]

3. Unfortunately, more than a mistake.

I believe it falls in the category of criminal negligence resulting in death. Some people think all you need is writing a check for a boat and turning the ignition key. Theres a LOT more involved in being a safe and responsible boater than that. This guy is going to learn the hard way.

[tru]

4. Darwin. n/t

[chervilant]

5. hmm...

I sincerely doubt that the deaths of those wee children represent anything Darwinian.

[tru]

9. sometimes the

Darwin folks take some of their gene pool with them, apparently.

[Evasporque]

6. 27 people = 2 tons...

Silverton 34




2 tons of weight on deck...and above deck on fly bridge and tanning platform...

[PavePusher]

7. And then get them all moving to one side to watch stuff as the boat drifts.... n/t

[Ghost Dog]

10. And the "helmsman" making a sudden sharp turn...

Criminal negligence.

[HooptieWagon]

8. Yep. Exactly.