tow boat and marine patrol in Melvin Bay

[Belmont Resident]

Originally Posted by jrc

Without knowing the facts of this case, only third hand anecdotes, it's hard to know what really happened. But people tend to panic when it rains while they are boating, especially when there is lightning.

I just searched and found out that around 40 people a year die from lightning strikes and over 500 a year die in boating accidents. So a mad dash to port in a storm is probably more dangerous than waiting it out or slowly and safely returning to port.

Of course in my case, dying from a boat hook to the head is more likely, my wife hates being out in the lightning.

We have learned over the years that making the anchors fast and putting up the tops is our best option.
We have seen many without tops just secure their anchors and put the mooring cover on the boat and just wait it out.
I guess it all depends on what makes you feel more comfortable.
In most cases the sun returns and were where we want to be anyways only now we have a mostly empty lake.

[townsde]

Here are the pics I took last weekend of the boat out of the water. There is significant bow damage and prop damage.

[jrc]

Wow that is some damage. I hope the injured people are well. Boats can be repaired or replaced.

[8gv]

There is a saying often used when aviators fly into poor weather leading to a bad outcome:

It's always sunny on the day of the funeral.

I hope these folks are ok.

[P-3 Guy]

That'll buff out.