Missing 18 year POC

[no bait]

prayers sent.

[Strummer]

Originally Posted by Eastwood

A buddy and I were slowly cruising down the ICW in Sargent one night after fishing till dark. I had my lights on and were just talking when I heard the sound of water slapping a metal hull. I looked back and maybe 10 yards behind us was a huge barge. I clocked the steering wheel to the left and shoved the throttle all the way down. We shot over to the far shoreline and then he lit us up with his spot light and horn. I don't think he saw us until we shot off to the left. If I didn't look back at that moment he would have crushed my 22 foot bay boat and us with it.

It’s amazing how silent that move . Can sneak up on you fast .

[Strummer]

So what my co- workers are saying is they did run out of fuel . They had friends bring them fuel . The friends took off . And when leaving seen the tug hit the boat with a spot light right before hitting them . Went back and pulled the survivor out of the water . He was face down . His jacket kept him afloat . Supposedly the tug was running with no lights on . Also hearing the tug never slowed down . And kept on going . Not sure if it ever stopped or not .
The boys was on their way to go coyote hunting on the island. My co-workers family have been involved in the search . That’s where my info came from .

[Walker]

The buddy of mine that got hit successfully sued the barge company for the boat. The reason they won was because the pusher never sounded his horn.

[Snowflake Killa]

Originally Posted by Walker

The buddy of mine that got hit successfully sued the barge company for the boat. The reason they won was because the pusher never sounded his horn.

Well that should make the family feel better

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[jshouse]

Terrible

[Walker]

Originally Posted by Snowflake Killa

Well that should make the family feel better

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Just stating some facts that may or may not be useful

[AtTheWall]

Prayers up for the families - absolutely tragic!

I had a near headon in the ICW down in Louisiana running a 32ft offshore Sportfisher from Nola to Port Aransas. 0100 and running 7 knots on the correct side of the ICW. Big bend ahead about 100yards, cypress trees and stumps on my side and shallow. A long barge/tug was cutting the corner covering my side with only one way to steer, across his path and the far side. Rack was with me, with another down below sleeping, Rack hit him with our spotlight and I laid her over hard with both 200s wide open to the far bank. Had I not made that hard cut on throttles to clear, we would of had to go hard into the cypress and mudflat on our side.

Some of these barges are so long, hundred plus yards before tug, you can't see much of it except the tug lights at night. We were all wide awake and made that run over 3 days, night time along the ICW in Louisiana, away from towns - it's pitch dark and those big rigs suck water off the banks hard. We drafted 6ft - so we didn't have many options except hard aground. Radar would of been nice - didn't have it.

[Strummer]

Originally Posted by AtTheWall

Prayers up for the families - absolutely tragic!

I had a near headon in the ICW down in Louisiana running a 32ft offshore Sportfisher from Nola to Port Aransas. 0100 and running 7 knots on the correct side of the ICW. Big bend ahead about 100yards, cypress trees and stumps on my side and shallow. A long barge/tug was cutting the corner covering my side with only one way to steer, across his path and the far side. Rack was with me, with another down below sleeping, Rack hit him with our spotlight and I laid her over hard with both 200s wide open to the far bank. Had I not made that hard cut on throttles to clear, we would of had to go hard into the cypress and mudflat on our side.

Some of these barges are so long, hundred plus yards before tug, you can't see much of it except the tug lights at night. We were all wide awake and made that run over 3 days, night time along the ICW in Louisiana, away from towns - it's pitch dark and those big rigs suck water off the banks hard. We drafted 6ft - so we didn't have many options except hard aground. Radar would of been nice - didn't have it.

Most of the barges I deal with 330ft with out a tug . If strung out they can be 1200 ft it a tow .

[TexasBob]

Absolutely horrible all around. Why in the F don't boats use headlights? I know it is illegal but always seemed beyond ignorant law to me.

[PondPopper]

The lead end of a Barge in the ICW is absolute SILENT DEATH especially in the dark..
I'll save my story.. This hits close to home.

[Quackerbox]

Originally Posted by TexasBob

Absolutely horrible all around. Why in the F don't boats use headlights? I know it is illegal but always seemed beyond ignorant law to me.

Ive ran a few 100 miles of lake, bay and marsh in the dark. Fog and clear sky. IMO no light is better than any 90% of the time. ESPECIALLY THOSE IDIOTS WITH LIGHT BARS Bow light at most. Occasional spot light to verify position.

The first time I crossed east matty via gps was amazing. Zero light till we came off plane. hit the light and there was our marker.

[glen]

Well I’ve spent my time on the water at night training people how to operate a boat at night. I have one rule I told everyone. At night drive only as fast as you’re willing to run into something unknown. Don’t drive by GPS. And know how to drive slowly by radar if you have it when in fog or no visibility.

It is a horrible situation. Boat operation unfortunately is mostly a self taught skill. There are very little rules or regulations for recreational boating. And for some reason people are very casual about boat operation and it is by far less forgiving when you make a mistake than driving a vehicle. Lights on a boat at night cause problems. Horrible night blindness and no traffic control markings or safety lighting.

I still drive at night often when fishing or gigging. I usually run on plane which is about 12 mph and if visibility or traffic is in the area I travel about half that so I am able to hear and react to any issues

[Duckologist]

Originally Posted by Quackerbox

Ive ran a few 100 miles of lake, bay and marsh in the dark. Fog and clear sky. IMO no light is better than any 90% of the time. ESPECIALLY THOSE IDIOTS WITH LIGHT BARS Bow light at most. Occasional spot light to verify position.

The first time I crossed east matty via gps was amazing. Zero light till we came off plane. hit the light and there was our marker.

This, a light blinds you rather than helps you

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[PondPopper]

Originally Posted by Quackerbox

Ive ran a few 100 miles of lake, bay and marsh in the dark. Fog and clear sky. IMO no light is better than any 90% of the time. ESPECIALLY THOSE IDIOTS WITH LIGHT BARS Bow light at most. Occasional spot light to verify position.

The first time I crossed east matty via gps was amazing. Zero light till we came off plane. hit the light and there was our marker.

I won't say what I think about light bars being allowed on boats.. But yea..

[justletmein]

They have their place, and it's not on the console lol. But seriously, I agree 90% of the time they're not needed and you're better off with them with any ambient light around, but mine saved me from running over a kayaker with no lights a while back and they're great for maneuvering rough bays at night in my boat at least. Biggest problem I see is people putting them on the console, then as soon as they turn the light on they're stuck with it because their night vision is screwed from the reflection. On the bow I can flip it on for a bit if needed and back off and still see fine which allows for turning it off when other boats are around so as not to light them up.

That discussion is irrelevant here though as it seems the boat in this incident was disabled due to running out of fuel.

edit: Having a light bar is also very useful when an oncoming boat with a lightbar doesn't turn his off and is blinding that shat out of you.

[Quackerbox]

Originally Posted by justletmein

They have their place, and it's not on the console lol. But seriously, I agree 90% of the time they're not needed and you're better off with them with any ambient light around, but mine saved me from running over a kayaker with no lights a while back and they're great for maneuvering rough bays at night in my boat at least. Biggest problem I see is people putting them on the console, then as soon as they turn the light on they're stuck with it because their night vision is screwed from the reflection. On the bow I can flip it on for a bit if needed and back off and still see fine which allows for turning it off when other boats are around so as not to light them up.

That discussion is irrelevant here though as it seems the boat in this incident was disabled due to running out of fuel.

edit: Having a light bar is also very useful when an oncoming boat with a lightbar doesn't turn his off and is blinding that shat out of you.

As a kayak owner, that dude is an idiot for being anywhere a boat can go in the dark

Similar story we found a guy way in the back of boggy in the airboat once. We didn't run him over but I think he was blown over cause he was flapping around in the mud. He also was an idiot cause he **** sure heard us

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[Duckologist]

Originally Posted by justletmein

They have their place, and it's not on the console lol. But seriously, I agree 90% of the time they're not needed and you're better off with them with any ambient light around, but mine saved me from running over a kayaker with no lights a while back and they're great for maneuvering rough bays at night in my boat at least. Biggest problem I see is people putting them on the console, then as soon as they turn the light on they're stuck with it because their night vision is screwed from the reflection. On the bow I can flip it on for a bit if needed and back off and still see fine which allows for turning it off when other boats are around so as not to light them up.

That discussion is irrelevant here though as it seems the boat in this incident was disabled due to running out of fuel.

edit: Having a light bar is also very useful when an oncoming boat with a lightbar doesn't turn his off and is blinding that shat out of you.

Have qbeam handy for that plus I can shine qbeam right in der face

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[Strummer]

Originally Posted by Duckologist

Have qbeam handy for that plus I can shine qbeam right in der face

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That way ya have two blind knuckleheads

[justletmein]

Originally Posted by Quackerbox

As a kayak owner, that dude is an idiot for being anywhere a boat can go in the dark

Similar story we found a guy way in the back of boggy in the airboat once. We didn't run him over but I think he was blown over cause he was flapping around in the mud. He also was an idiot cause he **** sure heard us

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We'd launched at Froggies headed out the little jetty around 11pm iirc, dude must have launched from The Fishing Center and either didn't see the boat coming (probably would have if I had my light bar on) or thought he could beat us. There's a cut right there across from Fishing Center and he was paddling his arse off trying to get across the ICW towards that cut. I always flip the light bar on briefly there to check for floating debri when the tide's moving and because lots of boats go in and out of that cut, and seen some without lights as well. I flipped the light on and there he was, very likely we would have clipped the back of his yak had I not made evasive maneuvers.

Originally Posted by Duckologist

Have qbeam handy for that plus I can shine qbeam right in der face

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So now with one hand tied up now not on throttle or wheel, how will you avoid hitting him when he's blinded and veers straight towards you? I don't like having a hand tied up like that, though I do keep a spotlight in the crate for backup.

[Benno]

Originally Posted by glen

Well I’ve spent my time on the water at night training people how to operate a boat at night. I have one rule I told everyone. At night drive only as fast as you’re willing to run into something unknown. Don’t drive by GPS. And know how to drive slowly by radar if you have it when in fog or no visibility.

It is a horrible situation. Boat operation unfortunately is mostly a self taught skill. There are very little rules or regulations for recreational boating. And for some reason people are very casual about boat operation and it is by far less forgiving when you make a mistake than driving a vehicle. Lights on a boat at night cause problems. Horrible night blindness and no traffic control markings or safety lighting.

I still drive at night often when fishing or gigging. I usually run on plane which is about 12 mph and if visibility or traffic is in the area I travel about half that so I am able to hear and react to any issues

Been out at night a few times, very familiar areas, never felt I was in any danger, but it was not my favorite thing.
Been on the water a few times when that thick mid morning fog would roll in. I couldn’t beach the boat fast enough, sitting in a fog you couldn’t see 50yrds hearing another boat run wide open, I’d rather be on land.


I feel terrible for the young man and his family. Just going to have some good clean fun the same he’d probably done hundreds of times. Situations and weather can turn on you quick on the water, most times you make it out with another story.

[hopedale]

Prayer sent they can find this young man. Sad deal

[Rem40x]

So sad. I run my lights no matter what the Law states. My life and kids life are more important than a stupid fine. I have never received any ticket or gotten pulled over for running my lights.

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[Riverbottomkid]

Very Sad. Prayers Sent for this Young Man and his Family. John 16:33. I am sure we all have a story or two of close calls running in the dark. I was lucky enough to have survived an accident when we flipped a boat over in the dark in Oyster Bayou on a duck hunt. Things happen in a blink of an eye that can change your life forever. I just pray they bring him home to his family and keep the search and recovery team safe in the process.

[glen]

I keep checking back hoping for a miracle or at least closure for the family and friends. Today should be a good chance of recovery

[Jackal]

Originally Posted by glen

I keep checking back hoping for a miracle or at least closure for the family and friends. Today should be a good chance of recovery

I've been following the families FB post and haven't seen any updates.

[Strummer]

Originally Posted by glen

I keep checking back hoping for a miracle or at least closure for the family and friends. Today should be a good chance of recovery

Pretty rough on the water today . 20 mph north wind . Small craft advisory. 4to 6 ft seas . Only good thing is has almost all of the barge traffic shut down in the ICW .

[brianlg31]

Heard from girlfriend’s mom……The search continues….they saw an image on sonar but a barge was coming thru and didn’t stop…..muddied up the waters! Search continues tomorrow.


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[Strummer]

Originally Posted by brianlg31

Heard from girlfriend’s mom……The search continues….they saw an image on sonar but a barge was coming thru and didn’t stop…..muddied up the waters! Search continues tomorrow.


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I was watching barge traffic today . Only barge I seen moving today was the Houston. Crazy anyone was moving in this weather . I was talking to one of our navigation district guys . He told me his grandson was supposed to of went hunting with the guys the night of the accident. For some reason he decided not to go. Very lucky guy .

[PondPopper]

Just horrible..

[bloodtrailer28]

Originally Posted by Quackerbox

Ive ran a few 100 miles of lake, bay and marsh in the dark. Fog and clear sky. IMO no light is better than any 90% of the time. ESPECIALLY THOSE IDIOTS WITH LIGHT BARS Bow light at most. Occasional spot light to verify position.

The first time I crossed east matty via gps was amazing. Zero light till we came off plane. hit the light and there was our marker.

Yep. I'd rather have no lights then have everything lit up like the 4th of July. First thing I do when running at night is dim all my lights.

[bloodtrailer28]

Originally Posted by justletmein

They have their place, and it's not on the console lol. But seriously, I agree 90% of the time they're not needed and you're better off with them with any ambient light around, but mine saved me from running over a kayaker with no lights a while back and they're great for maneuvering rough bays at night in my boat at least. Biggest problem I see is people putting them on the console, then as soon as they turn the light on they're stuck with it because their night vision is screwed from the reflection. On the bow I can flip it on for a bit if needed and back off and still see fine which allows for turning it off when other boats are around so as not to light them up.

That discussion is irrelevant here though as it seems the boat in this incident was disabled due to running out of fuel.

edit: Having a light bar is also very useful when an oncoming boat with a lightbar doesn't turn his off and is blinding that shat out of you.

I love mine on the bow but rarely use it when running at night. It sure is nice to be able to flip it on every now and then though.

[glen]

Well the shrimp boats are dragging the ICW. Hope they are able to find this young man for family closure

[hopedale]

Originally Posted by glen

Well the shrimp boats are dragging the ICW. Hope they are able to find this young man for family closure

Dang.

Prayers for this young man's family and friends.

[boy wonder]

I keep coming back and hoping for good news, now praying for closure for the family.

[PondPopper]

Man this is crazy.. I'm still not giving up hope that he is somehow alive somewhere but I know it's a very long shot!!!

[Backwoods101]

Praying for the family…can’t imagine what they are going through


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[TexasBob]

Will the barge company and tug captains face any fines or charges? I feel like they have a duty to not run a boat over, dark or not.

[D-BULL]

Prayers up for family!

[Walker]

Originally Posted by TexasBob

Will the barge company and tug captains face any fines or charges? I feel like they have a duty to not run a boat over, dark or not.

Could be but a barge is a little like a train. Can't just slam on the breaks and stop.

[Cooper]

Continuing prayers....

[Speedgoat]

Prayers up.

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[bowhntrmatt]

Such a sad ordeal.

Darkness out on the water plays funny tricks on your brain. I remember one time crossing the open bay in my flounder boat with no lights on, seeing a red blinking light that I thought was a tower on the horizon. Turned out it was on a platform in the middle of the bay that I almost ran smack into.

[Mexico]

Originally Posted by TexasBob

Will the barge company and tug captains face any fines or charges? I feel like they have a duty to not run a boat over, dark or not.

Biggest vessel always has the right away. Its not like they can stop or turn on a dime. They maintain a course and you must heed to it.

[AtTheWall]

Best with two sets of eyes when running at night. One maintaining the boat and the other with a Q-Beam for forward spotting and as Glen said, run slow and deliberately with eyes focused in that first 100 yards for the driver and the spotter, scanning sides and ahead. Lotta kayakers with a simple light on the stern or headlamp. Some will paddle without anything and or do not know the law when doing night trips. Jonboats are also a situation, and I've seen dozens running with zero light during post sunset and or that early launch before sunrise. With as many boaters as we have today, it's always that other boat, that either has light illumination issues or simply runs without lights, that make it a bit edgy. Some of the smaller freighters, running out of Louisiana and here in Texas, can push a wake that can build 3-5ft swells, along the banks with breaking waves. Same trip from Nola to Port A, in the Port Arthur ICW area, we had a 400ft long (approx) freighter steaming outbound. I was running tucked up against the right bank edge, with a seawall on the bank, vertical cement. We had plenty of room, about 50 yards from freighter in the main channel and us. All was well and still running 7 knots on our boat. Suddenly 3-4 rollers jumped up, surfable waves, with the whitewater breaking on the bar on our starboard. The wave angles forced me to cut toward the main channel to keep our bearing and bow from getting shoved onto the bank. I just throttled and cut toward the freighter holding on and off throttle to keep the boat positioned as the swells beat passed us. I know had I know took the night helmsman position, one of the other guys may of not had the experience to counter and hold?

And lights in shipping harbors, after running in pitch dark, as you near these cities, make it hail on your eyes and visibility. Vessels running with their legal running lights get blended into the background and in main shipping channel fairways, it becomes harder to judge distances and vessel direction at distance.

Deeper draft boats, running in proximity to shipping, many of the bars break hard as they pass.

[AtTheWall]

This was the boat - bigger = less movement in restricted waters with tight banks. Deeper draft at low speed, you get a lot of of hydrodynamic push on the hull. Tugs and barge traffic in the ICW, it will spin and headway is a challenge at low speed.

[justletmein]

Originally Posted by AtTheWall

I've seen dozens running with zero light during post sunset and or that early launch before sunrise.

On our Nilgai hunt down on the Arroyo last month we saw 3-4 boats per night running back and forth with zero lights, every. single. day. The duck hunting boats in the morning, almost all of them would have no lights but we didn't even count those. One goober was playing his radio so I know his electronics worked, zero lights completely blacked out. GW would (should) have a field day out there.

[glen]

Heard they have moved search into San Antonio Bay

[PondPopper]

Originally Posted by glen

Heard they have moved search into San Antonio Bay

Dangit!! Thanks for the update..

[hoythunter02]

Man, terrible tragedy. I remember getting a call from
CG station Freeport that one of their members had gone out that evening with a buddy for a duck hunt. Their Jon boat got waked out and capsized by a tug and barge. They were making their way back to the bank and one of them didn’t make it. We supported the search from Port O Connor and hauled *** all the way down the ICW that night to get to them in the RHIB. It was a soul crushing night of searching those waters. Divers found him later in the next couple days. We lost a brother.


Prayers to the family of this kid, God speed brother.


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