[NIGHTSTRIKES]

N.J. man cited in boat collision in C&D Canal Motorboat strikes sailboat and is sunk; operator charged with not keeping watch
By TERRI SANGINITI
Staff reporter
03/30/2004

A Pennsville, N.J., man was charged by Delaware marine police after his boat collided with a 29-foot sailboat in the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal on Sunday, sinking his vessel.

Capt. Robert Hutchins, of the state Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division, said Richard E. White, 41, of the first block of Lenape Drive, was given a summons for failure to maintain a proper lookout.

Hutchins said White was headed east in the canal in his 18-foot motorboat about 5:25 p.m. Sunday when he collided with the westbound sailboat from Connecticut about three-quarters of a mile west of Reedy Point Bridge.

"We almost had a head-on because the motorboat was not keeping a proper lookout," Hutchins said. "At the last moment, he turned hard starboard

and hit the sailboat on the left."

On impact, White's boat sank, he said. White and a passenger were rescued by the sailboat's three-person crew. They refused medical treatment.

Hutchins said the sailboat had only minor damage.

The U.S. Coast Guard closed the canal to traffic for one hour.

Hutchins said White's vessel was towed out by 11 p.m.​

 

[design]

how do you NOT keep a proper look out on an 18' boat? not like you'd go down into the galley or head for a quick minute

I wonder how he got to the boat in the first place?

 

[mcCool]

thanks for the report I was there around 4:30 on sunday how the f??'';, can you not see a 29'sailboat

 

[aquasport190]

how do you NOT keep a proper look out on an 18' boat?

That's what I was thinking

 

[canyon caster]

there has to be more to the story just my opinion.... maybe the "passenger" was his little kid other wise they would have mentioned them both... could it be that an under aged operator caused this? Just my opinion...

[ 03-30-2004, 05:26 PM: Message edited by: canyon caster ]

 

[saxitilis]

Maybe if the state police are going to give tickets for failure to maintain a proper lookout they should also follow navigation Rule #5. Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look- out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and the risk of collision. I offton see state boats with one man on board . They should lead by example. Till next tide Saxitilis

 

[Capt. Scott]

If you are going fast enough....not keeping a proper lookout isn't all that hard...just like in driving...that's why they are making cell phone talking illegal in cars....

believe me...you run small boats long enough and sooner or later you may nearly hit something!!!

 

[aquasport190]

I guess they would have mentioned if drugs and/or alcohol were involved, right?