Seattle duck hunters injured when boat hits rock

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Seattle duck hunters injured when boat hits rock

Saturday, November 10, 2012

COLOCKUM — Three Seattle duck hunters were injured early this morning when their aluminum fishing boat struck a large rock in the Columbia River, south of Rock Island Dam.

On impact, the boat’s 34-year-old driver, Kevin Charap, was thrown over the vessel’s windshield an onto its bow. He suffered a broken collarbone, but was reported in stable condition this morning at Central Washington Hospital.

Corp. Jason Reinfeld, spokesman for the Chelan County Sheriff, said the boat’s two passengers, both Seattle men in their 30s, were not seriously injured. Their names weren’t immediately available, he said.

The victims reported the incident just after 6 a.m. The men took off from a boat launch off Tarpiscan Road and were headed downriver when they hit the rock island, Reinfeld said.

Paramedics responded to the boat launch, and were ferried to the rock island in a Chelan County PUD boat, Reinfeld said.

The hunters’ 19-foot boat was still on the rock this morning, Reinfeld said.

Neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the crash, he said.

Christine Pratt: 665-1173

pratt@wenatcheeworld.com

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Citizen 6 months, 1 week ago

What is interesting is how long did it take to rescue those men on the river? Ms. Pratt,ask how long it took to get a boat in the water. I think you will find that it took over 1 HOUR before a boat was in the water. I think we as tax payers deserve to know why it took so long? We as tax payers deserve quicker response.

davebugg 6 months, 1 week ago

Seriously, illegal anonymous poster? You must not know much about that area of Washington. Besides, please show us where, in all of various statutes in either state or federal law, where anyone is required to be rescued or protected from anything by either the state or the feds?

From my perspective, while I am glad that the oafs were rescued, it is they who owe us taxpayers a timely response by paying the bill for their recreational outing rescue.

JimboBear 6 months, 1 week ago

Just a heads up Citizen, but are you aware that anonymous posting is not allowed here?

lonedog3 6 months, 1 week ago

not often I would ever be on the side of a world writer so mark this one on the calandar. The launch is remote I have used it duck hunting in the past and it is a good 35 to 40 minutes PLUS from anywhere with a rescue boat. Also there are very few rescue boats in the area with trained rescue boat operators. I, having used that launch do have some knowledge of that area of the river, and know it is not smooth sailing so to speak. The rescuers had to be called out-then gather equipment for a cold water rescue-then coordinate this rescue with the paramedics and take a slow safe trip to the island. Nothing at all unusual at all about a rescue for your friends to take over an hour. Now a question for you citizen, Are you going to demand that these three reimburse the rescusers for their time and expenses? That is what this tax payer wants to know!!

JimboBear 6 months, 1 week ago

Send a bill to King County or the City of Seattle? Rather than complain about how long it took, I think those three and their friends should be darned thankful that someone cared enough to come out and get them safely back to shore. Leaving the boat out there on the rock isn't such a bad idea either. Doing so might help ensure they don't make the same mistake again and that time not be so fortunate as to be rescued.

lonedog3 6 months, 1 week ago

well jimbo the rock pile did need to be marked so we should just leave the wreck there as a warning and reminder there are rock piles in the river! tho it will probally wash away and creat a nusicence somewhere down the river.

JimboBear 6 months, 1 week ago

Yes Joe, it should be marked. Maybe they could just drill some concrete anchors and lash the damaged hull to the rocks so it can't float away? It seems to me there are some unanswered questions here, but a "19 foot aluminum fishing boat" sounds a lot like a jet boat to me. Anyone mention how fast they were going in what I would assume was in the dark (6:00 AM or earlier) in uncharted and unmarked waters? If they hit with enough force to launch the operator over the windshield and break his clavicle on landing, I have an idea it may not have been a prudent speed. Was the boat equipped with a search light and was it in use to look out for obstacles in anticipation of just such an incident? I think Dave said it well when he said he was "glad the oafs were rescued". Perhaps some mandatory training in safe boat handling is in order?

lonedog3 6 months, 1 week ago

Jimbo sometimes we have to realize that we cannot either nor train stupid. Those waters down there are full of rock piles and rock shelves. rule of thumb is that the below surface area will look a lot like the terrain above the water. A jet boat would be a wise choice over a conventional outboard in those waters BUT speed should be kept under 5 knots and a lookout posted for rock piles. Sort of like fishing on the sound one has to be on the lookout for deadheads floating just under the surface. the whole truth is in the headline tho!!

JimboBear 6 months, 1 week ago

Oh, I'm quite familiar with the water there Joe. In fact I was deeply concerned that just this sort of thing could happen quite easily there. In fact, I was somewhat dumbfounded when Trinidad/ Crescent Bar became so popular as a recreation area after the construction of Wanapum Dam. It was always treacherous there. Many, many a steam powered boat failed to make it through there back in the day. The speed is the big thing I am seeing. That's why I mentioned it the way I did, noting the "launch" of the operator.. That plus darkness are two very good reason to stay off the water there when it is dark.

I get your point on the connection to the headline though, and I agree. Even though I live on this side now, I understand the mentality.