Biloxi / Gulfport Personal Injury Lawyer - Florida

Five killed, nine seriously injured in Florida Boat Crash

Gerry McGill — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:23:24 GMT

Five persons were killed and nine others were seriously injured when a 22 foot Crownline boat rammed a docked tugboat in the Intracoastal Waterway near St. Augustine, Florida about 6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 12, 2009. Investigators with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (which includes what was formerly the Marine Patrol) said the 22 foot boat was heading north when it hit the starboard side of the 25 foot tug which was tied to a dock with no one onboard.

Reporters were not permitted to view the accident scene. Many of their questions remained unanswered "pending investigation". Among others: Why were so many people packed on such a small boat? How fast were the going? And, were lights required and were there any lights on either vessel?

Lt. Steve Zukowsky of the Commission's Division of Law Enforcement said: "It's always tragic when you have fatalities. But we're going to do our due diligence. This is a possible crime scene."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Gerry McGill

Man Drowns After Boat Capsizes Off Panama City, Florida

Gerry McGill — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:56:00 GMT

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that a man drowned over the weekend off of Panama City, Florida as rough weather pounded the Florida Panhandle. The victim was identified as 55 year-old Morris Miller of Tallahassee. Miller and 33 year-old Archie White were in a 21 foot boat that capsized Saturday afternoon. White was able to swim to nearby Shell Island but Miller's body was found by rescue workers around 6 p.m. Saturday.

Despite the fact that a National Weather Service "high surf advisory" warning of rip currents and high winds was in effect at the time, NEITHER MAN WAS WEARING A LIFE JACKET. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on it's website : myfwc.com recommends operators and passengers wear life jackets all the time while underway, noting that "The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have saved the lives of over 80% of boating fatality victims". That certainly seems to be the case here.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Gerry McGill