The space shuttle Atlantis sits on the Kennedy Space Center's launch Pad 39-B at sunrise Monday. Mission managers this morning decided to postpone the launch indefinitely, due to the pending approach of Tropical Storm Ernesto. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Woman's leg severed in accident on Columbia River

Her leg was severed near her knee by the propeller, police said, and she was taken to Legacy Emanuel Hospital where she was listed in serious condition at last report.

Vicky Chalfant, of Portland, was expected to survive, police said. A dive team tried to find her leg in the river in time for doctors to re-attach it, but efforts to recover the limb failed and the search was called off around 4:30 p.m.

Ernesto

Experts say airboat rescue death was the first in the nation

SPRINGFIELD – When the Cornish, N.H., Rescue Squad airboat swamped and sank with Virginia "Ginny" Yates aboard Tuesday, causing her to drown, it was the country's first fatality involving an airboat rescue, experts in the field said Friday.

Experts questioned crew members' decision to strap Virginia Yates, 64, of Rockingham to a backboard and rescue gurney on the hull of the Cornish, N.H., rescue boat when they were transporting her across the Connecticut River.

Dwayne

Kite-tube ban spreads on state waterways

 

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Citing danger, deaths and injuries, a growing number of Army Corps of Engineers districts have banned kite tubes on lakes and rivers around the country

Dwayne

Darlene Martin and John Becker Lost in Boating Incident with Barge

Two killed in boating crash on Illinois River

By Tim Wagner

STAFF WRITER

MARSEILLES — The U.S. Coast Guard and Illinois Conservation Police are investigating an overnight crash on the Illinois River that killed two people, both of whom were carriers for The (Aurora) Beacon News, a sister publication of The Courier News.

Conservation police Capt. Greg Hunter said the two people killed — 41-year-old Darlene Martin of Oswego and 45-year-old John Becker of Sandwich — were on a 27-foot pleasure boat that collided with a barge head-on in Marseilles about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday night.

Dwayne

In Memory and Honor of BM2 Steven Duque and Lt. Jessica Hill - Coast Guard Cutter Healy - Lost Divers

BM2 Duque swears the oath on Healy’s forecastle as LT Hill administers his reenlistment.  Lt. Jessica Hill swears in Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Steven Duque during a re-enlistment ceremony the week of July 30 on the Coast Guard polar icebreaker Healy. Both died in an accident Aug. 17 while performing dive operations. — U.S. Coast Guard

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DUQUE AND HILL WE WISH YOU GODSPEED

More on Duque (Fearless)and (Dedicated)

Update on Duque (the more I read about these Coasties the more I am in awe of who they were as people)

'Grant Them Fair Winds And Following Seas On Their Final Journey'

"So to Jessica and Steven," said prior CGC Healy Commanding Officer Dan Oliver, "I tell you, you are going to be missed dearly. Lord, I thank you for the opportunity to know Jessica and Steven. And watch out for our fallen shipmates."

This is an update on BM2 Duque and his memorial service. Apparently he was an extraordinary Coast Guardsman too. 

This an update (video attached) on the memorial service for Lt. Hill. Regardless of the cause of this incident, I think both families should be proud of what their loved ones gave to this Country.

FALLEN COAST GUARD OFFICER TO BE HONORED TODAY

—————————————————

Two Coast Guard divers assigned to the Seattle-based Coast Guard Cutter Healy died Thursday afternoon during a routine dive operation in the Arctic Ocean approximately 500 miles north of Barrow, Alaska.

Deceased are Lt. Jessica Hill, 30, of St. Augustine, Fla., and Petty Officer 2nd Class Steven Duque, 26, of Miami.

The victim’s next of kin have been notified and additional support services are being provided to each family, as well as Healy crewmembers.

———————————————

It seems clear from reports that Hill and Duque loved their work on the Cutter Healy.

When something like this happens the sense of loss goes far and wide.   I personally spent four years in the Coast Guard.  When any member of our small service was lost it seemed to permeate the entire service.  It appears that things have not changed much as the Commandant and other high ranking officers have expressed their sorrow.

While I still served the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn was lost.  One of my former shipmates died on that Cutter. 

Many in “The Guard” have perished in peace and war.

May we never forget our lost shipmates and the sacrifices they made.

….

Dwayne Clark

 

Bloglines - Boater deaths spark state to promote life jacket use (Sun-Sentinel)

Bloglines user Lawboat (lawboat@comcast.net) has sent this item to you.

Yahoo! News Search Results for florida car accident Yahoo! News Search Results for florida car accident

Boater deaths spark state to promote life jacket use (Sun-Sentinel) While boating is becoming a relatively safe pastime for the rest of the nation, with accidents and deaths on the decline, Florida waters are becoming more deadly, and boating fatalities are at a 10-year high.

Bloglines - Two Shipmates Have Crossed the Bar

Bloglines user Lawboat (lawboat@comcast.net) has sent this item to you.

Brown Hound Thoughts of a Father, Virginian, Mustang Coastie, conservative, Episcopalian and dog lover.

Two Shipmates Have Crossed the Bar By John It is with great sadness that I inform you of the tragic loss of two of our shipmates. LT Jessica Hill of St. Augustine, Florida, and BM2 Steven Duque of Miami, Florida, lost their lives in the line of duty while conducting diving operations from CGC HEALY during an icebreaking mission approximately 600 miles Northwest of Barrow, Alaska. Despite all efforts by the crew of HEALY, they could not be revived after being rescued from the water in distress. Our highest priority now is to fully support the family, friends and shipmates of LT Hill and BM2 Duque during this difficult time. Both members were single without children, and their respective family members have been notified. I have directed the District and Area commanders to provide whatever support services are necessary for the families and crew of HEALY. HEALY is returning to Barrow where we will be better able to assist them. Two concurrent investigations will be conducted to help determine the circumstances surrounding this accident. In my conversation with HEALY’s commanding officer, CAPT Doug Russell, this afternoon, I expressed my personal condolences to him and his crew and pledged my support for them while they deal with this loss. CAPT Russell spoke proudly of LT Hill and BM2 Duque. LT Hill was on her second Coast Guard tour serving as the Marine Science Officer aboard HEALY. She was a graduate of University of Western Alabama. BM2 Duque enlisted in the Coast Guard in 2002, and served both afloat and ashore prior to being assigned as one of HEALY’s divers. This loss is a reminder to all of us that we operate in a hazardous environment and must remain vigilant. It also reminds us that Coast Guard men and women serve our Nation proudly across the reaches of the globe to preserve and protect our national maritime safety, security and stewardship interests. LT Hill and BM2 Duque made the ultimate sacrifice. We are proud of their selfless service and honor them by our continued dedication to the important work we do for the American people. Please join Secretary Chertoff, me, and all who serve in uniform in taking a moment today to reflect on the loss of these two brave and heroic members of our Coast Guard family in whatever way you find most appropriate. Please keep their families, friends and shipmates in your thoughts and prayers in the days to come. Details on memorial services and how you can express your condolences to the families of LT Hill and BM2 Duque will be provided when available. Admiral Thad Allen

http://komotv.com/news/story.asp?ID=45013

The Larimer County District Attorney's Office filed felony child abuse charges Thursday against Gil Smith in the death of his 2-year-old son last month at Carter Lake.

An arrest warrant was issued, and Smith, 44, turned himself in about 5:45 p.m. Thursday, said Eloise Campanella, spokeswoman for the sheriff's department.

Smith posted $25,000 bail and was released, she said.

—————————-

This is a really sad case.

Dwayne

Bloglines - Woman Aboard Boat Involved In Collision Recalls The Accident

Bloglines user Lawboat (lawboat@comcast.net) has sent this item to you.

Boating - Topix.net News on Boating from Topix.net

Woman Aboard Boat Involved In Collision Recalls The Accident A local woman who escaped serious injury in an Aug. 12 boating accident on Cherokee Lake that claimed one life and seriously hurt two other boaters says she is thankful to be alive.

Wade Bourne - Hunting / Boating Safety

Abuse charges likely against boy's father in Boating Incident

 Searchers who have spent the past four weeks looking for 2-year-old Shay Smith's body in Carter Lake are now dealing with the empty and sad ending to a tragic tale.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden on Tuesday announced he is asking the district attorney's office to charge Shay's father, Gil Dwayne Smith, 44, of Longmont, with child abuse resulting in death.

The search for the toddler was called off Monday night.

After weeks of believing Smith's story that Shay fell off the back of the boat, investigators now believe he was being towed on a "Super Screamer" tube traveling between 20 and 30 mph with no one but his 3-year-old brother watching and a life jacket too big for his 25-pound frame when he went into the water.

Video on the story.

Larimer County Sheriff's Office Release.

Dwayne

Tyler Doughty - Investigators plan to reconstruct fatal boating accident

IRA TWP.- It could take a week before an investigation into a fatal Saturday night boating accident is sent to the county prosecutor's office for review.

Lt. William Krul, commander of the St. Clair County Sheriff Department Marine Division, said police are interviewing witnesses and the parties involved in the accident.

Dwayne

Tarpon Fishing in North Florida

Tarpon fishing can be good in North Florida. 

Seven in one day for some North Florida anglers.

Dwayne