Reckless Speeding Causes Fatal Boating Accident

Case Overview

This case involves a family that was killed in a boating accident on a lake in Colorado. The family was riding in their personal 23ft Formula boat when they were suddenly run over by a 25ft Mastercraft boat. The impact killed three members of the family and the fourth family member drowned under the boat debris. It was alleged that the driver of the Mastercraft boat was speeding at 3 times the limit in the designated boating zone and that his negligence caused the accident. An expert in boating accident reconstruction was sought to inspect the boats in question, opine on the speed of the vehicles at the time of the crash, and determine how the collision occurred.

Questions to the Maritime expert and their responses

How would you determine the speed of the boat?

To determine the speed, the distance between the prop strikes can be measured and with the known size of the prop and ratio of the drive.

How would you determine how the collision occurred?

Determining how the collision occurred is generally determined by the location and appearance of the damage to the boats, witness statements, and other documents.

How do you determine fault and proportion blame?

Determining fault and proportioning blame are fairly routine questions that are answered by damage surveyors. Diagrams from witnesses and application of the ColRegs or Inland ColRegs are used to assess blame.

About the expert

This expert has over 30 years of experience as a Marine Surveyor. She is an Accredited Marine Surveyor and a Certified Marine Investigator. She is active in her field as a Member of the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors and the International Association of Marine Investigators, as well as authored three publications. She has served as a Co-owner of a Marine Surveyor Consultancy for the last 27 years.