Thousands feared dead...Hope this prediction is wrong...
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
What the Coast Guard says about Boating Under the Influence
Boating under the influence according to the Coast Guard.
Marine Claims from Katrina - Some insurance companies setting up claims procedures
Some marine insurers are setting up claims procedures for marine claims following Katrina.
Hurricane Katrina - Cruise Ship Diverted to Tampa
A cruise ship that cannot get back to Mobile has been diverted to Tampa due to Hurricane Katrina damage.
Bloglines - BOATING AT NIGHT (New River Current)
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Bloglines - Boating safety a growing concern
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Bloglines - Boating At Night
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Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Bloglines - Services for boat-crash girl
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Bloglines - Boy dies, girl injured in Jet Ski accident
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Bloglines - Lake boating safety meeting scheduled (New River Current)
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Bloglines - Man Missing on Lake Murray After Boating Accident - WLTX.com
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Bloglines - Friends mourn loss of couple in lake crash (WAVY 10)
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Bloglines - Services for boat-crash girl
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Bloglines - Josephine demott Robinson
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Bloglines - Coast Guard rescue crew braves Katrina's winds (St. Petersburg Times)
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Bloglines - Friends mourn loss of couple in lake tragedy (New River Current)
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Bloglines - Boat group removes president
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Monday, August 29, 2005
Smith Mountain Lake Boating Accident - Driver Story Change??
Affidavit: Boat driver changed his story
Janet Nguyen
jnguyen@newsadvance.com
August 24, 2005
The driver of a boat that struck and killed a local couple and their dog at Smith Mountain Lake on Saturday first told authorities he had taken medication but had not been drinking, then later said he had a glass of wine with dinner, according to a search warrant affidavit.
Alcohol and speed were contributing factors in the crash, said Lt. Karl Martin of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Mark F. Detournillon, 45, was going more than 60 mph in his Donzi high-performance speedboat when it ran into the back end of a cabin cruiser around 10 p.m. Saturday.
Detournillon’s boat, which was equipped with two high performance engines, ran over the entire length of the 32-foot cabin cruiser, killing Lawrence and Judith Lewis and their dog, a miniature Dalmatian.
Lawrence Lewis was 58 and his wife Judith was 59.
The couple were both members of the Smith Mountain Lake Boating Association.
Detournillon owns and operates Shoreline Marina, which was a sponsor at this year’s annual Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run, Smith Mountain Lake’s biggest fundraiser, said Tom Curling, president of the Smith Mountain Lake Boating Association.
According to a search warrant affidavit, Detournillon told a game warden after the accident that he had not consumed any alcohol but was taking the medication Guafesin, which aids with colds and coughs, and the pain relievers Lortab and Naprosyn.
After Detournillon was taken to the emergency room at Bedford Memorial Hospital, he told the game warden that along with the medications, he had also drunk a glass of Merlot with dinner at Mariner’s Landing.
The affidavit states that the odor of alcohol was detected on Detournillon at the scene of the accident and at the hospital.
It is usually recommended that alcohol not be consumed while taking the medications Lortab and Naprosyn, said Michael Robertson, a pharmacist at Robertson Drug Co. Inc.
Alcohol consumption can increase the drugs’ side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, slowed muscle reactions, light-headedness and mood changes, Robertson said.
According to court records, Detournillon was convicted of reckless operation of a boat and eluding police last year. He was also fined a total of $1,250 in Franklin County General District Court in July 2004 for an incident on July 3, 2004.
Martin said Tuesday the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are still working with the Bedford commonwealth’s attorney and would not speculate on charges.
“This is not something we take lightly,” Martin said. “Information is still coming in and we will exhaust every bit of information we get.”
The game wardens will be reviewing 911 tapes from Bedford and Franklin County.
“No stone will go unturned in dealing with this,” Martin said.
“We are looking for people to step forward with information and we will definitely take them seriously.”
Detournillon could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
A Mass of Resurrection for Lawrence and Judith Lewis will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at Resurrection Catholic Church in Moneta. Arrangements are being handled by Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory.
Bloglines - Two Orange Park Children Die After I-10 Hit-And-Run (WJXT News4Jax.com via Yahoo! News)
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This is not a boating accident but it is a tragic hit and run!!
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Bloglines - River poses high risk for amateurs
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Bloglines - Ferry bomb injures 30 in Philippines
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This is what we have to look out for over here....
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Bloglines - Bomb damages police boat (Reg Req'd)
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Sunday, August 28, 2005
Bloglines - Fremont man ordered to stand trial in boating death
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Justin Nearman
Justin Nearman::
Are the allegations true? Was he boating under the influence? He is innocent until proven guilty. His friends, family and neighbors report in the news he is a nice guy. He may be. The evidence will ultimately show whether he was drinking, boating, colliding, killing and running from the scene. The press and society should not prejudge this man. It remains possible he did not do the things he is accused of. Let the evidence show.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
ALCOHOL, high speeds and big boats....Chemistry for disaster on Okoboji and Smith Mountain Lake..
In the Okoboji hit and run and the Smith Mountain Lake crash that collectively killed three people and a dog there are common allegations of alcohol use, high speeds and big boats at night.
Some folks on both lakes are calling for more safety legislation.
Many consider boating as one of the last American frontiers for freedom from legislation.
At times the lakes in this Country resemble demolition derbies and killing fields.
There are many good safe boaters but there are also an alarming number of careless boaters who recklessly imperil the lives of others in "road rage" like acts at ramps and on the water.
On a national level it looks like there will be more legislation to come as the numbers and size of boats increase with the use of high speeds, alcohol use and night time operation.
If boaters won't discipline themselves the authorities will.
High speed operation of boats at night with the use of alcohol kills.....period.
Bloglines - Owner Of Boat Involved In Fatal Hit & Run Identified
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Bloglines - Official calls for safety conference
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Bloglines - Death on the river
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Bloglines - Two die in lake boating accident - Daily Press
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Bloglines - Charges filed in Virginia boating acccident
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Bloglines - Coast Guard Official Says Small Boats Are Major Security Threat
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This is what we have been saying all along...
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Okoboji Hit and Run Boat Owner Absent but Did Nearman have his permission to use boat that night? Authorities not saying yet-investigation on...
Boat's owner absent during fatal collision
Authorities say the South Dakota man won't be charged in crash.
By FRANK SANTIAGO
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
August 27, 2005
Authorities on Friday identified a South Dakota contractor as the owner of a boat that left the scene of a collision that killed a Dallas County dentist on West Okoboji Lake.
Richard "Chris" Brandt, 46, who has a condominium on the lake and is president of Total Fire Protection of Brandon, S.D., faces no charges in the incident. Brandt owned the 2003 26-foot white Sea Ray that was seized a week ago, said officials with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Authorities spent a week looking for the boat before finding it on a lift near Brandt's Village West condominium.
Investigators say it was Brandt's runabout that slammed into the rear of a boat, then vaulted over it and disappeared. Michael Brosnahan, 51, a Perry dentist, was killed, and his wife, Jill, 50, was seriously injured. Four others in the boat with the Brosnahans were not injured.
Justin Allen Nearman, 29, of Sioux Falls, S.D., is charged with operating the boat while drunk and causing the death and injury. A neighbor at Brandt's Okoboji condo told The Des Moines Register on Thursday that Nearman is the son-in-law of Brandt's girlfriend, and was known around the building.
DCI agent John Quinn told the Argus Leader of Sioux Falls that Brandt, who lives in Sioux Falls, was not in the area at the time of the accident. Like the Brosnahans, who had a summer home at West Okoboji Lake, Brandt is a frequent seasonal visitor to the area, officials said.
Brandt didn't return a phone message left Friday at Total Fire Protection, described on the Internet as a licensed building sprinkler contractor.
Friday's announcement provided another piece of the puzzle created by the accident at 2 a.m. Aug. 12.
Officials continued to keep secret other details of the case, including whether Nearman had permission to use Brandt's boat.
"I'm not going to talk about what he revealed to us in an interview," said Dickinson County Attorney Rosalise Olson. "It's an ongoing investigation."
Brandt's boat sustained minimal damage but provided vital information to investigators, according to Kevin Baskins, Department of Natural Resources spokesman.
"It gave us forensic evidence that linked it to the crash," he said.
Nearman has been charged with operating a motor boat while intoxicated resulting in a death, and drunken boating resulting in a serious injury. If convicted on both counts, he faces 30 years in prison.
Officials were unable to give Nearman sobriety tests. The drinking-related charges were based on "evidence obtained during the investigation," Olson said, but she declined to say what that evidence was.
A passenger in Brandt's boat, Ryan Deighton, 21, of Sioux Falls, has not been available for comment. Investigators said they don't expect to charge Deighton. Quinn, the DCI agent, told the Argus Leader that Deighton "is cooperating with law enforcement."
Stanley Munger, a Sioux City lawyer, confirmed that Nearman had hired him to handle the case in Iowa. Nichole Carper, Nearman's lawyer in Sioux Falls, said Munger was attempting to arrange a time when he can accompany Nearman to Iowa to face the two felony charges.
"It's premature to respond to any questions," Munger said. "The only order in effect (for Nearman) right now is an extradition hearing in South Dakota in September."
Rod Slings, chief of the Department of Natural Resource's safety bureau, said that while state law requires a boat operator to stop after an accident, there are no such requirements for passengers, or for them to report an accident.
Dickinson County documents show that Brandt's company is a supplier of fire protection systems for the new courthouse now under construction. The project is expected to be completed in 2006.
Nearman is a familiar figure around Brandt's condo and has done a lot of electrical wiring work on the units, according to Sally Nelson, a neighbor.
"He's a great guy, that's what we know of him," she said.
Bloglines - Fremont man ordered to stand trial in boating death (WOOD TV 8)
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Friday, August 26, 2005
Boat Owner in Okoboji Hit and Run Identified
Iowa Department of Public SafetyKevin W. Techau, CommissionerWallace State Office Building - 3rd FloorDes Moines, Iowa 50319Telephone Number: (515) 281-5261Facsimile Number: (515) 242-6136
Director Eugene T. Meyer
For immediate release:
James J. Saunders, SAC
Friday, August 26, 2005
Public Information Officer
Des Moines, Iowa
(515) 281-5615
OWNER OF BOAT INVOLVED IN FATALBOAT INCIDENT IDENTIFIED
Okoboji, IOWA -- The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation today provided the name of the owner of a boat believed to have been involved in a fatal hit and run boating incident on August 12th. Dr. Michael Brosnahan, 50 of Perry, Iowa was killed in this incident and his wife, Jill, was seriously injured.
The boats owner has been identified as Richard Christopher Brandt, 46, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and also a seasonal resident in the Okoboji area. Mr. Brandt's 2003 26' Sea Ray (see photo) was seized by officials with the DCI and DNR on August 19th. Investigation and forensic examination of Brandt's vessel led investigators
to believe this boat is the vessel involved. On August 23rd, the DCI charged JUSTIN ALLEN NEARMAN, 29, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in relation to the August 12th incident. NEARMAN and BRANDT are co-workers. At this time NEARMAN is charged with:
Operating a motor boat while intoxicated resulting in the death of another person, a class B felony and;
Operating a motor boat while intoxicated resulting in the serious injury of another person, a class D felony.
At this time, the Iowa Attorney General's Office has been called in to assist the Dickinson County Attorney. The investigation is ongoing.
Any additional questions should be directed to Special Agent In Charge John Quinn of the DCI at (515) 281-5138.
Will Mr. Nearman turn himself in - Was the vessel owner involved in this tragedy?
The authorities are saying that the vessel owner will be indentified today and that no charges will be pressed against he or the other passenger in the hit and run boat.
Dwayne Clark
Okoboji-Nearman-Brosnahan-Hit and run-Boat owner to be identified today...will Nearman surrender?
Owner of suspect boat to be identified today
The South Dakota man accused of driving the vessel is free on bond prior to an extradition hearing.
By ABBY SIMONS and FRANK SANTIAGO
REGISTER STAFF WRITERS
August 26, 2005
Authorities are expected today to identify the owner of a boat believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run collision on West Okoboji Lake that killed a Dallas County dentist.
No charges are expected against the owner, said John Quinn, supervisor in charge for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Justin Allen Nearman of Brandon, S.D., has been charged with operating the boat Aug. 12 when it slammed into a craft carrying Perry dentist Michael Brosnahan, 51; his wife, Jill, 50; and four others.
Sally Nelson, who has lived with her husband in the Village West condominiums near the lake since 2002 said Nearman is a familiar face around the condo and has done a lot of electrical wiring work on the units.
"He's a great guy, that's what we know of him," Nelson said of Nearman. "I can't say never, but at least when I'm around he hasn't caused any problem here."
Nelson said her neighbor, Richard "Chris" Brandt, often lets other people use his unit in the condominium. Nearman is the son-in-law of Brandt's girlfriend, she said.
Nelson said she was staying at the condo the night of the fatal accident, but did not see Nearman in the building.
The wreck was followed by a search of boats in the bay by law enforcement, she said.
"They were searching all the boat lifts throughout the bay with heat sensors and spotlights," she said. "I was awakened several times. I could hear the racket on the lake, I could hear the sirens. I was really restless that night, I had no idea all of this had happened."
Nelson said Brandt and his family are nice when they are at the condo, and are always willing to help.
An Internet search found a January 2005 article quoting a Chris Brandt as president of Total Fire Protection of Brandon, S.D.
Nearman was arrested Tuesday at his workplace, Elite Electric of Brandon.
A person who answered the telephone at Nearman's home Thursday said Nearman had no comment.
Nearman was free on bond Thursday while he awaits an extradition hearing next month in South Dakota. He faces felony charges that include drunken boating that resulted in a death.
The boat was found Sunday on a lift at the lake.
Quinn would not say if investigators have determined whether Nearman had permission to use the boat, or what his relationship is to the owner.
Nearman's lawyer said Nearman expects to surrender to Dickinson County authorities. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Investigators said the boat Nearman was driving struck the Brosnahan craft in the rear and vaulted over it before it left the scene. Brosnahan was struck by the part of the boat that contains the gears and propeller, sheriff officials said.
Jill Brosnahan, who suffered broken ribs, a punctured lung and facial cuts, was recently released from a South Dakota hospital and was able to attend her husband's funeral Monday. Four other passengers escaped injury.
Nelson, the condo resident, said she has always had some trouble understanding why boats are on the lake at all hours, but feels bad for the people involved in this case.
"Bad things happen to good people, and that is just one of those incidences where that can happen," she said. "They're not mean people, they're not bad people, they just had a real bad thing happen to them."
Bloglines - Coast Guard searches for missing family (WBBH)
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Hope this family is Ok...lesson people...check the weather before you go out!!
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Justin Allen Nearman "Intended to turn himself in but was arrested before he could" says his attorney.
South Dakota man says he'll surrender on boating charges
He had intended to turn himself in but was arrested before he could, his attorney says.
By DENISE D. TUCKER
SIOUX FALLS ARGUS LEADER
August 25, 2005
Sioux Falls, S.D. — A Sioux Falls man accused of operating a motorboat in a fatal hit-and-run accident on West Okoboji Lake declined to give up his right to fight extradition to Iowa during an appearance in Minnehaha County Court on Wednesday. But his lawyer said he would turn himself in to Iowa authorities.
Justin Allen Nearman, 29, was arrested Tuesday at Elite Electric in Brandon, S.D., where he works.
"There was no problem. He was very cooperative," Lt. Paul Niedringhaus of the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office said of Nearman's arrest. He was in custody about one hour after Iowa authorities contacted the sheriff's office.
Court records show Nearman pleaded guilty to second-offense drunken driving in February 2001 and to drunken driving in March 1997. He has also pleaded guilty to multiple speeding charges.
Nearman was being held at the Minnehaha County Jail on a $42,250 bond. He was arrested on charges of operating a boat while intoxicated, resulting in the death of another person, and operating a boat while intoxicated, resulting in the serious injury of another person. If convicted of both felonies, Nearman could face up to 30 years in prison.
"My client was preparing to turn himself in," Nearman's attorney, Nichole Carper, said in court Wednesday. She said she had problems with the wording of a complaint accusing Nearman of being a fugitive from justice.
"The charge was filed yesterday, and he was arrested yesterday," Carper said.
Authorities say that a boat Nearman was driving struck another boat on West Okoboji Lake on Aug. 12, killing Michael Brosnahan, 51, of Perry and seriously injuring Brosnahan's 50-year-old wife, Jill. Four others on the boat were not hurt.
In court, Nearman stood quietly next to Carper with his arms folded in front of his chest.
"My client is choosing not to waive extradition . . . and to go turn himself in (to Iowa authorities)," Carper said. She did not elaborate on when Nearman had planned to turn himself in.
Magistrate Judge Julie Irvine set an extradition hearing for Sept. 19.
Several family members were in court and declined to comment afterward.
The boat believed to have been involved in the crash was seized last week, but officials said Nearman is not the owner.
Another man, Ryan Deighton, 21, of Sioux Falls, was a passenger in the boat, but he is not the owner and does not face charges in the case, said John Quinn, a supervisor in charge with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. No information on the boat's owner was disclosed, Quinn said.
On Wednesday, Quinn also said no information would be disclosed on what led authorities to Nearman.
"We're still in the critical aspect of the investigation, so we're controlling how much information we release," Quinn said.
Officials with the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office said the crash happened about 2 a.m. Aug. 12 when a boat rammed Brosnahan's craft and vaulted over it before disappearing.
Brosnahan was struck by the part of the boat that contains the gears and propeller, sheriff's officials said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Crime/Courts - South Dakota man says he'll surrender on boating charges
You have been sent this message from Dwayne Clark as a courtesy of DesMoinesRegister.com.
Nearman to turn himself in??
lawboat.lawboat@blogger.com Crime/Courts - South Dakota man says he'll surrender on boating charges To view the contents on DesMoinesRegister.com, go to: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2005508250383 Regards, Dwayne Clark
Bloglines - Boating Deaths Suspect Has Arrest History
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This is not a great surprise....is it...it seems when we see many serious and apparent reckless boating accidents it is when someone has a pattern of such behavior. This is alleged in the Okoboji ? Nearman incident as well.
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Thursday, August 25, 2005
Bloglines - Coast Guard To Recreate Deadly Boat Accident (WLWT ChannelCincinnati.com via Yahoo! News)
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Coast Guard to Recreate Deadly Boat Accident on Ohio River that killed 3 people...
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Bloglines - Charges filed in Virginia boating acccident
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Boat driver charged in two deaths...
In this case a boat driver was charged in two deaths and the death of a dog...
Brosnahan, Okoboji, Hit and Run - Nearman
Hit and run suspect released on bond Says he will turn himself in. News reports indicated he had a history of drinking and driving.
Bloglines - Suspect in boating fatality refuses to waive extradition (Sioux City Journal)
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Let the lawyering begin...
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