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MayDaze
07-04-2006, 07:16 AM
BULLHEAD CITY, AZ / LAUGHLIN, NV - Things have been overall quiet on the waterways during the long July 4th holiday, but that changed late Sunday afternoon just south of Laughlin and Bullhead City. Two rental watercraft collided, one of them a waverunner operated by Raymond Joe OÂ’Connel of Hemet, California. He ran into a boat driven by 36-year-old Victor Kardos from Irvine, California with five passengers on board. Police say Kardos was traveling southbound on the Nevada side of the river and they say OÂ’Connel was northbound on the same side of the river.
The teenÂ’s waverunner struck the bow of the boat and caused severe damage to both craft. He was airlifted from the boat dock at the Bullhead Chamber of Commerce to Las Vegas with life threatening head trauma,arriving there in critical condition. Two passengers were ejected from the larger boat, but neither required medical assistance. The case is still under investigation by the Bullhead City Police Department.

CARRERA
07-04-2006, 07:30 AM
Hope everyone comes out okay.................

Old Texan
07-04-2006, 07:36 AM
Rental insurance must be astronomical.
The general public just doesn't respect what it trakes to operate watercraft safely and these incidents will continue to happen. I hate to see more regulations and laws put in effect as we have what seems too many now, but something has to be done about inexperienced operators gaining access to things they don't understand.
The boating industry needs to step up and help government with an educational plan / process to get safety and skill training for those wanting to enter into the boating world.

shueman
07-04-2006, 08:01 AM
Very sad news indeed.... :frown:
I was just looking at an on-line article/video about Lake Travis and the accident yesterday. They interviewed the owner of Just For Fun Rentals, and he says, "most of these people have never operated a watercraft before, and all we can do is give them a 15min-30min overview of the safety equip. and operating instructions....what they do on the lake is their business..."
I think the rental companies need to step up and get better information to their customers...mandatory video instruction prior to renting would be a start...

Wicked_Tahiti
07-04-2006, 08:14 AM
Yes, i was right up by the damn, i saw this accident on my way down the river. Very sad.. and this was something that could have been avoided if infact that ski rider was paying attention....
I saw a couple more accidents on the river this weeked. One happend right under the brige from Laughlin to Bullhead, not sure exactly what happend but some ski was sunk and a few people were being pulled outa the water.
another one accured when a jetski carring 2 passangers was neer the shorline and try to outrun my Tahiti boat (which they didnt have a chance), they must have hit a rock or something under the water becuase they where tossed off the ski at about 45-50mph, on my way back up the river, there was a whole army of people searching in the water for somthing, i assume it had to be something from the ski... but im unsure.
lastly, there was a ski renter that had rented a ski to a father and son, the people next to me also had a ski, somehow, im not sure, they collided right out in front of us, ripping the rearview mirror off one, and scaring the hull of the other.
People should really be more causious about these things. And i know its a hard thing to comprehind, but drinking and boating dont belong together, especialy when your on the river with 400 other boats/ski's.

ryantparks
07-04-2006, 08:24 AM
I see it there all the time, thats where I launch.
The renters dont have a clue how to ride these things and dont realize that no throttle means to turn. I feel bad for the kid and his family.
Mandatory Classes for personal watercraft

Not So Fast
07-04-2006, 08:34 AM
I think that the rental part of this equation is where the problem lays. I watched as a rental pontoon was being launched yesterday at Windsor. The four young guys had no clue, couldnt start it, couldnt get it in gear, but had plenty of beer. The rental person had to do everything and after getting them off the trailer sent them on thier way, so as far as any instructions, I call BS. Jet ski's are more dangerous because of the speeds they now travel. I agree, I dont want more regulations but something has to be done, it is becoming very dangerous, ESPECIALLY on a narrow river or even around a dock!! A valid operating or safety certificate renewed yearly would I think reduce the problem of renting to people who are first timers, its bad enough with people that "know what they are doing". I wouldnt mind it at all, taking and renewing a certificate of a safety boating class. JMO NSF

Not So Fast
07-04-2006, 08:42 AM
Very sad news indeed.... :frown:
I was just looking at an on-line article/video about Lake Travis and the accident yesterday. They interviewed the owner of Just For Fun Rentals, and he says, "most of these people have never operated a watercraft before, and all we can do is give them a 15min-30min overview of the safety equip. and operating instructions....what they do on the lake is their business..."
I think the rental companies need to step up and get better information to their customers...mandatory video instruction prior to renting would be a start...
You can tell that the owner of "Just for Fun Rentals" he is an asshole. What an incrediblely stupid thing to say. IT"S THE BUSINESS OF EVER PERSON ON THE WATER what these jerks do. What a jackoff, exactly the problem IMO :mad: NSF

HocusPocus
07-04-2006, 10:01 AM
it wouldn't hurt my feelings if "they" put a stop to all rentals.. except for maybe the paddle boats or kayaks :)
Of all vessels involved in accidents, 44% were being used by someone other than the registered owner; 34% of all vessels involved in accidents were borrowed and 10% were rented.

shueman
07-04-2006, 10:11 AM
You can tell that the owner of "Just for Fun Rentals" he is an asshole. What an incrediblely stupid thing to say. IT"S THE BUSINESS OF EVER PERSON ON THE WATER what these jerks do. What a jackoff, exactly the problem IMO :mad: NSF
Here's the link to the on-line story and video....
Lake Travis Article / Video (http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=165777)

Desert Rat
07-04-2006, 10:18 AM
#1 reason I will NEVER boat on that stretch of the river!! You're playing Russian Roullett and somebody else (Jetski driver) is so to speak holding the gun! I have watched the friggin idiots from the casino bar at the Riverside and it looks pretty damn scary out on that part of the river!! :mad:

upsman105
07-04-2006, 10:58 AM
I also understand that rentals have no insurance, so if you get hit by someone and they do not have insurance or money personally, you can not go after the rental compay, only your own insurance.

Not So Fast
07-04-2006, 11:40 AM
Here's the link to the on-line story and video....
Lake Travis Article / Video (http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=165777)
I believe you Shueman, but for Gods sake, is the owner serious saying something like that, oh never mind, he owns a rental outfit so what do you expect huh? :mad: The mother f----ing powers that be are freakin worried about distubing some friggin wildlife that has been being disturbed for God knows how long, and now all of a sudden they want to ticket stock wackers for too much noise. Where does this crap come from, it is so frustrating to read all of these bullshit stories and not be able to do anything about it. Can we all stand up and yell "We are sick as hell about this and we are not going to take it any more" Rant over :chi: Peace, Going boating tomorrow!! NSF

78Anthonyjet
07-04-2006, 11:53 AM
If you have insurance, you should not have to pay your deductable, the ins. co. will pay for your repairs and go after the party that hit you and the rental company.
My wife and I were looking at buying a boat here about ten years ago, the dealer had a small lake around their shop and the sales guy said that as part of the sale of the boat was included teaching you how to back the trailor down the ramp, unloading and loading the boat, how to drive with a trailor. Sales guy said that to many people out there get a boat, have no idea of what the hell they are doing and cause more accidents and close calls. It was his job as a salesman and a boater to teach you the basics of boating and trailoring a boat. This should be the normal deal when you buy a boat or a jet ski.

Not So Fast
07-04-2006, 11:55 AM
Right on Anthonyjet!!!!!!! NSF

HocusPocus
07-04-2006, 01:48 PM
I also understand that rentals have no insurance, so if you get hit by someone and they do not have insurance or money personally, you can not go after the rental compay, only your own insurance.
i know that in arizona and california you are not even required to have boat insurance, unless of course your boat is financed. not sure if rentals are required to carry it or not?

Boatcop
07-04-2006, 02:30 PM
i know that in arizona and california you are not even required to have boat insurance, unless of course your boat is financed. not sure if rentals are required to carry it or not?
There are very few regs regarding rentals in AZ. The only thing they're currently required to do is have the past 3 months worth of rental agreements on hand and provide, or otherwise ensure that, all the safety equipment is on board.
We have seen people renting PWCs out of the back of their pick-up truck with Xeroxed rental agreements. Nothing we can do about it.
Most legitimate rental outfits have insurance, but every agreement I've seen states that the renter assumes all liability, and holds harmless the owner from any liability due to an accident or collision. The insurance they carry is pretty much to cover litigation costs when they're sued from one of the renters actions.

HocusPocus
07-04-2006, 04:06 PM
There are very few regs regarding rentals in AZ. The only thing they're currently required to do is have the past 3 months worth of rental agreements on hand and provide, or otherwise ensure that, all the safety equipment is on board.
We have seen people renting PWCs out of the back of their pick-up truck with Xeroxed rental agreements. Nothing we can do about it.
Most legitimate rental outfits have insurance, but every agreement I've seen states that the renter assumes all liability, and holds harmless the owner from any liability due to an accident or collision. The insurance they carry is pretty much to cover litigation costs when they're sued from one of the renters actions.
that just sounds crazy!!

DILLIGAF
07-04-2006, 04:27 PM
Instead of taking the boat out today I went to Camp Davis and watched the craziness. Didn't see any accidents but saw many near accidents. After that I went to Katherines and watched the docks as the storm was moving in. Many boats/jet skis all at the same time coming in. Something was going on as all the cops and staff of KL along with the ASST Genrl Mgr went running down the docks towards something. A fire truck rolled up so I assume it wasn't good.
Home now and drinking my BL's as a storm is rolling thru :)

Hardly Satisfied
07-04-2006, 10:57 PM
BULLHEAD CITY, AZ / LAUGHLIN, NV - Things have been overall quiet on the waterways during the long July 4th holiday, but that changed late Sunday afternoon just south of Laughlin and Bullhead City. Two rental watercraft collided, one of them a waverunner operated by Raymond Joe OÂ’Connel of Hemet, California. He ran into a boat driven by 36-year-old Victor Kardos from Irvine, California with five passengers on board. Police say Kardos was traveling southbound on the Nevada side of the river and they say OÂ’Connel was northbound on the same side of the river.
The teenÂ’s waverunner struck the bow of the boat and caused severe damage to both craft. He was airlifted from the boat dock at the Bullhead Chamber of Commerce to Las Vegas with life threatening head trauma,arriving there in critical condition. Two passengers were ejected from the larger boat, but neither required medical assistance. The case is still under investigation by the Bullhead City Police Department.
very sad to hear our prayes are with there familes