Does anyone know if a guy was rescued from Smith Bay on Minnetonka Saturday afternoon? We were heading off the lake and saw the sheriff monitoring a small whaler style boat in the circle of death, we did not see anyone get rescued, but assume/ hope that happened before we came upon the scene. Stay safe boys and girls.
Pulled from the Lake Minnetonka FB page.
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM JACK D, the boater that survived yesterday’s Runaway Boat Accident…
“That was me, I am well experienced operating in rough water and I missed the kill switch lanyard when I went out. Wear your life vest and your kill switch lanyard. No joke I was minutes away from being found dead, the Sherriff got me just in time.
Here is what happened:
I don’t use Facebook anymore but I’m sitting here medicated/uncomfortable/bored.
I was out by myself running our new boat. Practicing turns and learning the boat. The wind picked up if right before I turned to the left sharp at around 35mph; when I hit the wave my body went flying, bouncing off the side of the boat and ended up in the water. I wasn’t expecting it, so I wasn’t holding on as much as I should have been. The boat and myself were totally capable of taking on the wave, except I wasn’t holding on good enough. When in bad weather, which I have piloted through countless hours, I situate myself much better. With the quick change of weather I simple wasn’t in the best position to deal with it.
If you don’t know outboard motors will go into a circle turn when no one is steering it. So I got thrown over, the boat was screaming circles near me (I knew to get away from it immediately), I had to get my life vest inflated then figure out what to do. I was in the middle of the biggest part of the lake in 40 degree water with my boat screaming circles around near me, blasting my face with its wake with every pass. It was hell.
Then I decided I better get to shore, which was a long ways away, even on a hot day with warm water and if I were a fit person. I kept working on swimming, the wind stayed strong, so there were real waves rolling over me.
Eventually I saw the sheriffs boat around my boat, I was still at least 200 yards from shore, somehow I managed to push up out of the water and wave both my arms and screaming. They saw me! They came over and dragged me out of the water. Although I was swimming and working towards shore once I was on their boat I couldn’t even lift my arms or talk. They saved my life, i don’t know if I would have made 5 more minutes. My legs were cramping around 30 minutes into my 60 minutes in the water, I was tired and slowing down. I can’t believe I survived, and don’t think I would have lasted much longer, like a few minutes longer.
They got me to an ambulance and took me to the ER, they did their thing for someone as cold as I was. The bruising is very bad on my butt, and my legs have serious bruises on them. I’m thinking the hit on my butt/hip might be worse than we though, my fingers are still numb today (I thought it was from being cold but they are still numb)
Bottom line there were multiple ways this could have been worse; I could have been knocked out, broken bones, not (somehow) able to swim in that cold water for an hour, not able to scream and wave at the sheriffs, not have the hero sheriffs out there looking for me.
I had my life vest on, no question that saved my life. Use your safety gear, don’t under estimate the risk. I have piloted boats in horrible conditions for hundreds of hours, I’m a safe pilot, this happened to me. It can happen to anyone.”
Sheesh that is a harrowing experience! Glad he is alive to talk about it. Dang lucky.
That is a scary, real life story. This cold water is no joke.
Thanks Jake for posting that. Like I said we got there after that and just hoped and prayed he made it. They just monitored the boat letting it do it’s thing until it ran out of gas I presume. We saw them towing it away after we loaded up and were on our way back. Scary stuff.
Thanks for that post. It’s rare you get to hear a survivor’s account from that scenario. Glad he made it and great reminder for everyone.
Eye opening story… I used to keep a 20′ runabout on Tonka in the 90s. I remember watching a similar incident one summer evening. Two sherriff dept boats were attempting to stop the runaway boat by throwing out nets/ropes. They finally got it stopped and luckily the person who got tossed was okay. This article has me reconsidering my lack of using my tether always. I usually have just used it in the spring with my inflatable vest but then get out of the habit the rest of the season. On my little 16-1/2′, 50 HP tiller, I know I’m asking for trouble. Time to grow up I guess. Thanks for posting this…
Eye opening story… I used to keep a 20′ runabout on Tonka in the 90s. I remember watching a similar incident one summer evening. Two sherriff dept boats were attempting to stop the runaway boat by throwing out nets/ropes. They finally got it stopped and luckily the person who got tossed was okay. This article has me reconsidering my lack of using my tether always. I usually have just used it in the spring with my inflatable vest but then get out of the habit the rest of the season. On my little 16-1/2′, 50 HP tiller, I know I’m asking for trouble. Time to grow up I guess. Thanks for posting this…
Never wore mine, made the commitment to doing it all the time last year. I bought a bright yellow velcro strap for my wrist that made it easier to remember. When not in use the strap goes right on the tiller arm so when I start the boat it’s right there to remind me.
Thanks Jake for posting that. Like I said we got there after that and just hoped and prayed he made it. They just monitored the boat letting it do it’s thing until it ran out of gas I presume. We saw them towing it away after we loaded up and were on our way back. Scary stuff.
His post kind of resonated with me when I read it the other day, so I knew exactly what you were talking about when you posted. Pretty good reminder for all of us I’d say, myself included.
Just speculation but it appears maybe they threw some lines at it in hopes it would get wrapped up in the prop? Found this picture in the comments section.
WhalerTonka.jpeg
That makes sense we watched it almost flip over a couple times hitting waves.
Never wore mine, made the commitment to doing it all the time last year. I bought a bright yellow velcro strap for my wrist that made it easier to remember. When not in use the strap goes right on the tiller arm so when I start the boat it’s right there to remind me.
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Just ordered one…liked the yellow idea so if we ever run into each other, you’ll know who I am!
“Just speculation but it appears maybe they threw some lines at it in hopes it would get wrapped up in the prop? Found this picture in the comments section.”
Makes you wonder if they could design a sort of floating spike strip designed to get wrapped in the prop for the sheriff to deploy.
“Just speculation but it appears maybe they threw some lines at it in hopes it would get wrapped up in the prop? Found this picture in the comments section.”
Makes you wonder if they could design a sort of floating spike strip designed to get wrapped in the prop for the sheriff to deploy.
I think they call that rope. It works on all the you tube videos I watch.
That story is scary stuff
My new tiller has a spring operated throttle. If I let off it goes to idle. I could still lose the boat but at least it won’t be a big threat.
PSA – be sure to check your CO cartridge before you hit the water this Spring if you have an inflatable vest… mine was dead, just happened to notice the other day ~
PSA – be sure to check your CO cartridge before you hit the water this Spring if you have an inflatable vest… mine was dead, just happened to notice the other day ~
Good reminder, also check the bobbin. I’m sure it depends on the brand but I believe my model says to replace the CO2 cartridge and bobbin every 3 years.
I have been worried about this for a number of years, started wearing my tether but it was too easy to not put it on, as well it was a pain when you got up out of your seat. I installed a FELL Wireless MOB https://buy.fellmarine.com/collections/mob-wireless-man-overboard-system/products/mob-basepack-multifob You install it based on what type of action your current motor uses, does it short out when activated or does it open up. I have both the neck harness for the FOB and a wrist style I never use. The cool thing is that you cannot start your motor without activating it so it becomes a great reminder to put it on. Because it’s wireless you can leave the motor idling and still walk around the boat and it doesn’t kill. Once you are 50 feet or so the engine kills, I know as I have ran back to the car and the motor has shut off. There is an override function so if you fall out, your passengers can restart the motor to come and get you. Everyone gets the safety lecture before we head out! I think it’s a fabulous safety device.
I’m sorry, but turning at 35 mph in rough water… not smart. Glad the guys ok, I hope he learned something from his new boat.
I’m sorry, but turning at 35 mph in rough water… not smart. Glad the guys ok, I hope he learned something from his new boat.
My thoughts exactly.
I’m sorry, but turning at 35 mph in rough water… not smart. Glad the guys ok, I hope he learned something from his new boat.
glad I wasn’t the only one thinking that… just didn’t want to say it
Why is it that every survivor story like this, the person always says “wear your PFD” but yet all of the macho guys never wear one?
Why is it that every survivor story like this, the person always says “wear your PFD” but yet all of the macho guys never wear one?
Sadly the guys who end up needing it the most are usually the ones you will never be able to convince to wear one.
My inflatable was one of the best purchases I’ve ever made as far as outdoor gear goes. You don’t even know its there and the peace of mind is priceless.
Why is it that every survivor story like this, the person always says “wear your PFD” but yet all of the macho guys never wear one?
I am trying to get better at wearing mine. My dad made me wear one when I was young. My mom would not get in the boat without hers. I stopped wearing mine when I got older. I know it would be the smart thing to do and I try to tell myself to just get used to wearing it. I have tried and can’t seem to get used to it. I bought an inflatable thinking that will make it easier but it still has not stuck with me. I am saying this not to get slammed on, just trying to say it is not a Macho thing at least for me.
Who practices turns? I’m thinking he was probably driving like on a pwc in July.
Resting on elevated bench seat whipping donuts… yeah, he’s experienced lol
Who practices turns?
My 8-year old.
I know it would be the smart thing to do and I try to tell myself to just get used to wearing it. I have tried and can’t seem to get used to it.
I kinda used to be the same way. I fish alone a fair amount of time though and the thought of drowning or catching hypothermia, especially this time of year when the water is bitter cold, down right scares me. So now I always wear mine when I’m driving the boat and using the outboard. I take it off while I fish. My kill tether is attached to my PFD too.
I know it can be hard to change a routine, but if you just get in the habit of doing it over and over and over, it will eventually become a new routine John.
I love my inflatable as well. Another thing I do is wear the tether as a ring on my right hand pinky finger when running at higher speeds. I have to push it on, pull it off so it ain’t falling off, easier for me than clipping it on my belt or whatever.
Grimus, watch the Bill Dance bloopers and count how many times he falls in while fishing. ‘Course he didn’t need to worry about the circle of death, but it would sure help a person swim and get into the boat.
I’m that same as Ralf’s 8 year old. I use to practice around a navigational can in daylight with all the safety equipment on just to know my boats limits in turning. A person never knows when a sharp turn will need to be made at night when a tree shows up in front of you. I might be a one off, but I do this with all boats I’ve owned. (I can’t say I’ve ever practiced this at 35 mph though)
Dodged a many of tree and ice after dark.
Steering wheel knob is almost a must at full plane to avoid such hazards accompanied with spot light.
I think both are illegal… only in mn would such safety devices deemed illegal.
Dodged a many of tree and ice after dark.
Steering wheel knob is almost a must at full plane to avoid such hazards accompanied with spot light.
I think both are illegal… only in mn would such safety devices deemed illegal.
Lets not spread fallacies. There is nowhere in the boatings regulations that say either of these are illegal. In fact, page 23 states “All accessory lighting such as docking lights, spotlights or accent lights must not impact navigation light visibility as required by law.”
That is the only mention of spotlights in the boating regs and is simply stating your nav lights must remain visible which I think is in the interest of safety. There is no mention of the steering wheel knob or anything related to steering wheel regulations.
Speaking of safety, I’d argue coming up on another boat that is flashing a spotlight at them is indeed a safety issue.
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