Fatal Accident On Table Rock Lake

[crappiefisherman]

The Island causes problems, but this time it was the tree that caused the accident.I was a coworker of Dicks and I too believe the tree should be removed and the island marked .When I was a young boy a boater lost his life in the same location.Im amazed it hasnt caused more problems.Capt Joe , you know who his employer was, maybe they can be persuaded to donate to your cause and memorial.I really enjoyed talking to Dick and hearing of his fishing escapades and I will certainly miss him.

[Bill Babler]

As Eric said, it would be a HUGE MISTAKE, to remove the tree without some type of a navigational aid or danger bouy stating that there is an underwater obstruction.

The tree really for the most part wards off boaters that don't know the area that well, they seem to respect the land dweller that lives there more than the bouys we already have up. If you put up a bouy, I believe you would have to put up two. One on each end of the island or really just a hump.

Have you seen how close some of these idiots come to the bouys we already have up? By removing the tree and putting 1 bouy on the top, I don't believe that would solve the problem. a bouy is a much small object than the tree, and if its lights would go out, you have the same problem.

This was a terrible accident that could have been avoided in many ways, least of is cutting the tree. I guess what I'm saying, is we need to take responsibility for our own actions. Governmental actions, very seldom are the correct solution.

Again, I morn for the loss to family and friends. Wish I had, had the privlidge of meeting Dick.

[crappiefisherman]

Bill ,its my understanding the tree took off his trolling motor ,front pedastal and him.His wife said she heard a loud pop and turned to look and he was gone.Needless to say she didnt know how to operate the watercraft and had a hard time shutting it down.With only a cell phone in tha dark she did a good job summoning help even under terribly anxious circumstances.I also belive if the tree was gone it would cause problems identifying the Island,BUT, this time the tree was the culpret.Even though its a wonder the boat didnt ground but kept going.Also I need it known that my information is not first hand info, but from a very close friend of the deceased and fellow worker who I know and trust .I pray to the Heavenly Father , every day , for the safe return off of the lake when I go out.Now even more that I know even an expierenced boater could be taken so fast.Have a blessed evening.

[Chief Grey Bear]

This was a terrible accident that could have been avoided in many ways, least of is cutting the tree. I guess what I'm saying, is we need to take responsibility for our own actions. Governmental actions, very seldom are the correct solution.

Again, I morn for the loss to family and friends. Wish I had, had the privlidge of meeting Dick.

That is the best paragraph in this whole thread.

Ditto's on the last sentence there too. I'd bet he was a heck of a guy.

[cofobasser]

I had the pleasure of meeting Dick through the Branson Bass Club. He was a great guy to be around and his wife is the same. He always made time to talk to a college kid about fishing and I really apreciate that. He was a great member of the club and a great fisherman. My prayers go out to sue and his family.

[stone9-7=2]

How sad. Thoughts & prayers to the family.

[ness]

Am I correct in assuming that the boat was traveling at a high rate of speed and that there are branches hanging out over the water that knocked this poor guy off the boat?

Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends.

[Sam]

I've owned a bass boat, of sorts, since 1990. Am I wrong in thinking these things are missing something important for running at night?

I wouldn't drive a car without headlights on a dark country road at even 20 mph - I'd hit something or end up in a ditch if I tried it. So WHY do we run boats at night like that? I do it, but it makes me pretty uncomfortable - and I don't run at night anywhere near as fast as some do. Whenever I can I line up with a light on the bank so I can follow the reflection strip on the water, at least I can kind of see the water in front of me that way.

Running lights are great to let other boats see us - but it's even harder to see where you're going when they're on. These boats all have good 12 volt electrical systems, and I think they need a strong headlight for running at night.

[S&M]

Post deleted for the betterment of the members.

As well as my membership on this website.

[rangerman]

How much is that light?, where did you find it?