Bye Wav8or - it was fun while it lasted

ARTICLE:

Powerboat slams into sailboat in Bristol

A section of the powerboat deck dangles from a hole in the sailboat's side after the sailboat was hauled at Bristol Marine.

A section of the powerboat deck dangles from a hole in the sailboat's side after the sailboat was hauled at Bristol Marine.
By Bruce Burdett

BRISTOL — Two boats were badly damaged and several people were hurt when a powerboat slammed into a sailboat Wednesday evening in Bristol. (power boat was going approx 40 knots; sailboat was going approx 4 knots)

The sailboat, a Beneteau 310 (31 feet long) was hauled from the water at Bristol Marine with a gaping hole in its port side. Sticking out from the hole is a section of the powerboat’s deck. A bowline and cleat, also apparently from the powerboat, are wrapped around the sailboat’s propeller shaft.
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management investigators took custody of the motorboat Wednesday night and were towing it in when, according to one source, the 21-footer began taking on water and eventually sank.
Witnesses say that the sailboat Wavbor, owned by Chris Boutilier, was participating in the Bristol Yacht Club’s Wednesday races. Along with others, it was slowly making its way between Hog Island and the Bristol mainland in a very light breeze.
“It was 8:20 p.m., the wind had pretty much died out and the boats were drifting,” a witness on shore said. We were walking away when we heard a powerboat and a woman on board just whooping it up. Then there was an incredible crash — it sounded like an explosion.”
The witness said he turned around and saw the sailboat and powerboat, both badly damaged. He called the Bristol harbormaster’s office to report the accident “and they were there in six minutes.” Also arriving later were a boat from Coast Guard station Castle Hill and the Rhode Island DEM.
“It appears that the sailboat was T-boned by the powerboat, Steve Hall, chief of DEM’s Division of Law Enforcement, said Wednesday. He said he was told that a woman on the powerboat was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment of bruised ribs. He said the powerboat’s operator received a cut chin and added that he is not aware of injuries to the crew of the sailboat.
A Bristol official said later that several people were treated. He said the powerboat is used for quahogging and is kept at the Rockwell Dock. The driver told authorities tha he saw the sailboat at the last second and was unable to avoid a collision. The driver’s wife, the official said, was sitting in the stern and was launched on impact into the helm of the powerboat.
Officials did not provide the name of the powerboat operator. Mr. Hall said there was no immediate evidence that alcohol was a factor but added that the incident remains under investigation. END OF ARTICLE

Yep, our summer plans have definitely been changed. A real bummer, since we both love sailing so much. Still can't believe it happened. I don't know what the power boater was doing - he obviously wasn't at the helm. I hope he gets ticketed for something - other than being a complete idiot. Fortunately none of us were seriously hurt. Since Chris & I are training for an Ironman, I would have been doubly pissed off if we were hurt - sailing summer ruined & triathlon summer ruined. Just a few bruises - our triathlon training continues, just without the fun breaks that sailing brought us.

Here's our sailboat being inspected by the DEM (department of environmental management) - for the 3rd time. They were really hoping to find something to nail the power boater with.

Our sailboat, after the piece of power boat was taken off. It's unbelievable how far in he went.

Looking inside the monster hole

Crack that went below the water line. Fortunately, she didn't sink. She was built tuff!

Another crack in the hull. Hopefully these will make the insurance inspection go quickly - we're hoping for a 'totaled' response. We love her, but don't want to fix her - we'll never feel good about her again.

The inside. I still don't know where the stove went. The sink went across to the other side. Good thing, no one was down below when it happened.

:(

Sad times. We bought this sailboat from an owner who kept her exceptionally clean. And we kept her even cleaner! We won't find another sailboat as old as her & in as good condition.

Our weekends have definitely opened up - we'll be spending more time hiking, camping, and going to Polo!