On Sunday morning, some time around 3AM, a 32′ powerboat slammed into the rocks at high speed at the Governor’s Cut jetty off South Beach, Miami, FL. The three men aboard, including Miami Marlins ace pitcher Jose Fernandez, 24, were all killed. Fernandez was considered to be a rising star in Major League baseball.
What happened? The accident investigation is only beginning but several factors appear to have contributed to the tragedy. Based on photographs, the boat struck the jetty at full speed. The accident happened at night. Although the channel was well marked by lighted buoys, the rock jetty was unlit. The night was clear and the waves were not high.
The New York Times quotes Officer Lorenzo Veloz, a spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission who said that “the boat is in very bad shape. It does appear that the vessel went straight into the rocks.” He discounted weather as a factor but suggested that darkness may have played a role. “It’s totally different than driving by day,” he said. “You don’t have streetlights out on the ocean. There is no real view of the surrounding areas.”
Jose Fernandez did not own the SeaVee powerboat involved in the accident, nor was he believed to have been at the helm. Toxicology tests will be performed to determine if alcohol played a role in the accident. None of the men were wearing PFDs.
While this accident makes the news because of the death of a well known athlete, sadly, it is not that unusual. According the USCG Recreational Boating Accident Statistics for 2015, the top three known contributing factors to boating accidents are operator inattention, operator inexperience, and improper lookout. Ranking fifth on the list, ahead of alcohol use, is excessive speed.
USA Today has an image from the other angle.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/09/26/jose-fernandez-marlins-killed-victims-emilio-macias-eduardo-rivero/91116402/
It is sad to know that it was considered “normal” that Miami-Dade County boaters do NOT wear lifejackets as was stated by the FWC Officer spokesperson. So why is it tolerated ? In this case one must admit that lifejackets would have made no difference to the tragic result.
As to the comment “the rock jetty is unlit”. As can be seen in the photo this is a breakwater piled rock jetty with no path. Just beyond the end of the jetty is the “R 12” buoy as per the Red, Right, Returning U.S. bouyage system, one usually passes between R12 and R10 to enter the Government Cut Channel approaching as these three young men were from the North but at a reasonable speed.
Having served for many years in Miami based cruise ships it is not unusual to see boaters in boats and jet skis racing around in this area of strong tidal currants getting as close to the cruise ships as possible. There have been numerous accidents both with each other and the Pilot cutters over the years. NAUTICAL LOG was a witness to one such accident years ago.
Good Watch.
Speed is a killer, especially in darkness. The channel is well marked but for those not paying attention, the outcome can be tragic.
This incident reminds me of a different, yet similar case, in the Hudson, three years ago, where a power boater ran into an anchored barge at high speed in the darkness, killing two aboard.
http://www.oldsaltblog.com/2013/07/tragedy-on-the-hudson-speed-boat-hits-construction-barge-bride-to-be-dead-fiance-injured-best-man-missing/
Those interested in this accident would do well to read the updated accounts in today’s “Miami Herald”. The FWC spokes man made quite a few “mistakes” during the press conference. These “mistakes” occur in Miami-Dade County Florida on many occasions when both the local law enforcement authorities and those involved in an incident are of the same ethnic background. Is is something to be aware of that there is an atmosphere of “giving a break” to those of similar ethnic background.
One feels that any investigation to this tragic accident should NOT be given to locally based FWC but passed to north Florida FWC based officers. At the same time the local FWC spokesperson’s statements and answers to questions at the press conference should be reviewed.
Good Watch.