Lake George tragedy

[mike1889]

Not too often does the top story on www.CNN.com and www.MSNBC.com come from Lake George. This is sad.

[jtbigmoose]

Mind boggling to think this could have happened so fast. Also, I'm amazed the water temperature was 68, according to MSNBC reports. I woulda guessed about 55. But I guess water temperature wasn't a factor in the deaths.
What's your take on this, Tim?

[Shewolf]

Sounded like the age of most of those that died was a bigger factor than the temperature of the water. A lot of elderly folks and many with walkers or in wheelchairs. None were wearing any kind of life preserver though they were available. However, it was not mandatory for anyone to wear one. That policy/law just may change in light of yesterday's tragedy. Who knows.

Sounded like it didn't take too long for the tragedy to hit national news yesterday. I talked to my folks in south central PA around 5:30pm and they had already heard about it down there.

[Mavs00]

I'm in Orlando, and CNN text msg'ed me at about 4:00 PM. I have one of those headline news services, and I really only get the "big" stories. This is a "big" story. I'm with she wolf. The water temp was probably around 60, and if your old and infirm (sounds like many were), yo would succomb VERY quickly. Minutes really.

Actually, we've had young healthy non-swimmers go down that quick in cold water (60 or below). A real shame.

[Rik]

These folks were in full clothing as well which if you have ever tried to swim in is much tougher than just a swim suit. Shoes and jackets get heavy when wet! Very sad. In watching one of the local news reporters last night they reported that there were not life jackets on board for everyone. Could this be true? I thought they had to be on board even if they weren't in use. I'm not sure it would have made any difference but it does seem strange to me.

[Boreal Chickadee]

My brohter, the ER doc in Glens Falls had to handle this situation. Unfortunately deaths were by drowning, not hypothermia. They were all elderly and just as the news reports stated, they didn't have time to put on PFDs. With only one crew member on the boat help was not available for those who couldn't swim.

[ProbKid]

Very sad. I understand the captain (and only crew member on board) is a well-regarded member of the community. Tragedy all the way around.

[Boreal Chickadee]

It was one of those one in a million chances that all came together unfortunately. Not only do I feel sorrow for the families of those lost but I can't imagine the pain being felt by the crew. I'm sure there isn't words for their hurting.

I've never put on a PFD on a tour, although I always wear one in the canoe or kayak. Who would have thought?.

EDIT on Oct 11th: After reading the test results on the sister ship I'm not so sure it was "one in a million". Didn't anyone think that adding that weighted canopy would make it top heavy??? Still a very sorrowful event for all.

[1ADAM12]

this morning experts were saying that there was to much weight on the boat which caused it to sink after hitting the wake from another boat. They also tested the weight capacity on another boat like the one that sunk and said it was unstable after having 10 people in it.

Adam

[stoopid]

Not only do I feel sorrow for the families of those lost but I can't imagine the pain being felt by the crew. I'm sure there isn't words for their hurting.

That's actually very insightful... the captain/owner is/was a very respected community elder. Sadly, lawyers have picked up the scent on this one and 2 of the surviving victims have files suits against him. I'm still torn because I don't have all the facts to make a reasonable final opinion on this whole thing.

Guess my biggest unanswered question has to do with what laws are already in place and were any of them violated?