SAFETY while boating

[tracman86]

Good morning all my name is Jared Henson I live in strafford mo. I have been a long time  viewer of this website, although I have not posted much. I love fishing and the Ozarks. 

I was In a boating accident on Stockton lake. Friday June 1st of this year. My partner and I were taking off for a Stockton Friday night tournament. When we were taking off for the night running 53 mph we experienced mechanical failure of a key bolt in the steering system. The bolt that connects the motor to the steering component. When this happened the motor tourqed ejecting myself and my partner from the boat. At the time of this accident I was not wearing my kill switch. We were both wearing pfds. The boat went into a figure 8 and then began the death circle. At this point I was gathering my bearings in the water.  I turned around to see the boat bearing down on me, I had to make a decision fast. I got my body away from the boat. My hand unfortunately was not so lucky. It was hit by the prop and nearly amputated my left hand and snapped both the bones in my arm, wrist and hand below the 3rd knuckle. I was pulled from the water and quickly taken to the hospital in Springfield by helicopter. Where they made the decision to have me flown to Barnes Jewish in St. Louis. They were able to replant my left hand. A true miracle from the one and only father in heaven. 

I wanted to tell my story. I also want to beg everyone to never operate a watercraft with out the kill switch attached to a PFD. I made a terrible mistake by neglecting to attach mine. I also want to beg everyone to inspect there equipment and pay special attention to key components. I had gotten way to comfortable in my boat. Please don’t let it happen to you.

 

                     GOOD FISHING AND GOD BLESS!!

[bobby b.]

We are very happy that you are OK and thanks for the post to help remind us of what can happen.  I for one wear neither PFD or kill switch.  My birthday was two days ago and my wife bought me an auto inflating PFD.  I'm going to try to change my ways.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Holy moly.  Scariest story I've read on here in a long, long time.  Glad you are okay.  You were lucky in so many ways.  Was it dark?  Who pulled you from the water and how long were you in? Great tips on boating safety.

 

[Guest]

thank you.  prayers for a complete recovery for your hand.

i am many others harp all the time about safe boating, but first hand story of the importance of wearing pfd's and kill switches are truly an eye opener for some.

thank you so much and hope this will be the wake up call that will save lives.

bo

[96 CHAMP]

Thanks for sharing and wishing you well on the road to recovery

[Devan S.]

I'm an avid life jacket wearer. I try to always wear a regular pfd when driving and use my inflatable when not driving as an added layer of protection. The video of the guys on the UF fishing team going through almost exactly what you did with a kill switch and life jacket on still makes me slow down a bit when running WOT. 

[tracman86]

 Bobby b I can send you some very gruesome images of what my hand looked like afterward.  I urge you to wear the kill switch. Cold water the accident happened about 7:15 in the evening. If it would have been dark there is no doubt we both would not have survived. I was in the water for 3 to 4 minutes after being struck. 2 guys that where also fishing witnessed the accident and were able to pull me out and apply a turnaquite. Ben Henderson and Matt isenbacher were the guys that I give credit for saving my life. 

[moguy1973]

My kill switch cord is always attached to my vest and my vest is always on when the big motor is on.

[dwiebenga]

Thank you for sharing, and may God guide your recovery.  Praying for you.

[fishinwrench]

Scary business there!  Glad you're alive.

 

Hydraulic steering...

 

Or Cable/mechanical ? 

 

My main beef with hydraulic steering systems is that you don't feel binding or play in the system.  And if the motor pivot housing binds in some way  the hydraulics have enough torque to easily break a steering component or blow a hole in a fluid hose.  

I've seen kids playing in their dads boat while trailered, crank the wheel when the motor was locked down by the transom saver....and bust the steering arm and/or hydraulic cylinder bracket.     If a 6 year old kid can do it then you bet your rear-end that you can do it.   

I want nothing but stainless steel between my hands and that motor.  Hard for me to trust some pressurized fluid in a rubber hose, and a handful of tiny spring & ball check valves.