Alameda Police my butt!
I'd trust the Coast Guard far more than the police for dealing with
on-the-water issues. That's the first place I'd go for a report if
one is needed for insurance purposes or *gulp* litigation.
Especialliy since this looks like the blame was clearly on the Trojan
for not keeping a proper watch.
-Bryan
Wildthing, #40
:: Yeah. I can't believe the powerboat wasn't cited either.
:: I know Steve and Marilee, quite well. Steve was my boss
:: at Atoga Systems (a startup that we both joined during
:: the bubble). Marilee owns and operates WayPoint Marine,
:: in Alameda. I have sailed with them on Sunshine Express
:: quite a few times.
::
:: Very sad to see that happen to good people. But, the
:: important thing is nobody was hurt.
::
:: It is instructive to go look at the boat. It is on a
:: trailer in the Nelson Marine yard in Alameda. Go through
:: the gate turn right and keep going to the fence, and you
:: will see it. It is a strong little boat, but the
:: scantlings are very thin and obviously not designed to
:: withstand a highly concentrated broadside impact like
:: that. So be careful out there!
::
:: Mark Lowry, Xena (#68)
::
:: :: Thanks for the update. Glad to hear no one was hurt. I
:: :: can't believe that the power boat was not cited.
:: ::
:: :: Also I heard rumors about an express down south that had
:: :: a trailering mishap. Does anyone know the story there?
:: :: What happened to that boat. There are many of these
:: :: boats, and we seem to be losing more our share of them
:: :: lately. Be careful out there.
:: ::
:: :: It may be too soon after to know but are they going to
:: :: part out Sunshine express or will someone try and
:: :: restore her(is that possible?). I hope someone will get
:: :: her on the line again.
:: ::
:: :: :: Here's the article from the Log:
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Sailboat Sinks, Six Rescued After Collision
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Wednesday, July 14, 2004
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Wearing a life jacket may seem like a bother, but the
:: :: :: Shaffer family may be alive today because everyone on
:: :: :: board their sailboat was wearing one.
:: ::
:: :: :: On July 4, about 4 p.m., Sunshine Express, Steve and
:: :: :: Marilee Shaffer’s Express 27, was struck by a powerboat
:: :: :: and sank in the Oakland-Alameda Estuary in San Francisco
:: :: :: Bay.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Fortunately, everyone had on personal flotation devices
:: :: :: (PFDs), including the two young children of their
:: :: :: guests.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: “Everyone was wearing a life jacket,” said Marilee
:: :: :: Shaffer. “The five-year-old was sitting next to me and I
:: :: :: grabbed her arm as we were launched into the water.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: “The Alameda Police Department (APD) patrol boat was
:: :: :: there almost instantly. Even with jackets on, it was a
:: :: :: relief to have them come to our aid so quickly.”
:: :: ::
:: :: :: She went on to say that the APD patrol officers were
:: :: :: very well-trained and efficient, yet showed genuine
:: :: :: concern for the well being of the victims. The situation
:: :: :: might have been worse if the response had not been so
:: :: :: timely, she said.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Lt. Jim Brock of the APD said the Express was tacking
:: :: :: out - toward the Bay - when it was struck by the
:: :: :: powerboat.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: According to reports, the powerboat’s autopilot was
:: :: :: operating, and the owner told authorities he had gone
:: :: :: below for a moment.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: The Express rolled, portside down, putting the mast in
:: :: :: the water. Then the boat righted, filled with water, and
:: :: :: sank.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Marilee Shaffer said she treaded water, holding the
:: :: :: five-year-old until she could be handed aboard the boat
:: :: :: that struck them. The other child, the parents, and
:: :: :: Steve Shaffer were all taken aboard the powerboat. The
:: :: :: APD patrol boat picked up Marilee Shaffer.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: The sinking occurred on the south side of the deep-water
:: :: :: channel opposite the container docks. The sailboat was
:: :: :: salvaged on July 5, to avoid becoming a hazard to
:: :: :: shipping. It is stored in a nearby boatyard to await
:: :: :: survey.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: The powerboat, a 36-foot Trojan, had minor cosmetic
:: :: :: damage, Lt. Brock said. The operator of the powerboat
:: :: :: was not cited.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: While the sailboat appears to be a total loss, Shaffer
:: :: :: said, there was neither serious injury nor loss of life.
