(Video Credit – PaperBark)
Yearly Archives: 2016
Florida Manatee Deaths Rising at Record Setting Pace
Due to greater areas of water pollution as well as an increased boating presence on the water due to a mild winter and boat friendly economy, Florida manatee deaths are set to break 2009’s morbid record with ease. As of July 22 there have already been 71 recorded deaths by boat, a much faster pace than that of 2009 when a total of 97 manatees were killed.
It’s a game of ratios and the more boats on the water the more likely there are to be constant manatee deaths, but officials are urging boaters to heed manatee awareness zones as well as go slower in waterways to minimize possible contact.
4th Annual Old Hickory Fun Run Kicks Off Today!
The 4th Annual Old Hickory Fun Run is already off to a rip roarin’ start today as Powerboat Nation is on the scene with a special appearance from everyone’s favorite PBN model, Brittany!
There’s no place like Tennessee and the Old Hickory Fun Run is a fantastic way to experience it surrounded by fellow boaters just out to have a great time. With a bigger than ever attendance list this year at approximately 120 registered boats and everything planned to the T by the Tennessee Powerboat Club for the benefit of Operation Stand Down TN, we’re looking forward to another fantastic powerboating event for all to enjoy!
Today gets off to a great start with the usual fun run, lunch, and insanely popular raft-up followed by the main run and the official dinner taking place tomorrow.
Be sure to give the Facebook Page a visit for updates and the full event schedule. We hope to see you out on the water!
Ever Wonder How Maritime Law Really Works? Watch This!
Another Boating Hit-and-Run Leaves 9-year-old Girl Dead
A mother and daughter are the latest victims of a boating hit-and-run when their family’s 28-foot powerboat was run over by another boater Monday evening on Lake George. The young girl Charlotte McCue was pronounced dead at the scene while her mother is said to have suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Police have announced that the other boat was driven by Alexander West, 24, of West Lake Georgia who surprisingly turned himself into the sheriff’s office later to be questioned. The sheriff’s office has made it clear that there have been no charges filed as of yet and that West is complying with blood tests.
Investigators found West’s boat abandoned at the Tea Island Resort about a mile and a half away from where the incident occurred and they are currently trying to determine if West was present at the Log Bay Day, a regional event known for its raucous atmosphere and drinking.
Check for more updates as they come in.
Sprint Boat Crashes
Charges Pending After Ridiculous Maryland Boating Brawl
The NEW USS Detroit Completes Acceptance Trials on Lake Michigan
West Michigan Offshore Teams Up with Make-A-Wish Foundation to Grant A Young Man’s Dream
We all love powerboating for the same reasons. Whether you love the speed, the performance, the community, the racing, or simply being out on the water with friends, it’s something we can all enjoy and relate to. It’s more than just a hobby it is a passion and we are all family. Despite several tragic events of late, there is always a silver lining. West Michigan Offshore in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation were able to make a dream come true for a young boater this last weekend in the form of a powerboating adventure he was never ever forget.
In December 2015, 12-year-old Brooks Kingma was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. While still undergoing treatment, Brooks’ family reached out to the foundation and after hearing about Brooks and his situation, WMO invited him to speak at one of their events. But they didn’t just stop there! WMO chairman Chris Dekker had other plans for the young boy in hopes of giving him the best gift he’d ever wished for.
“When he came we asked him a couple questions about power boating and you could see he just lit up immediately and we knew then that we had to get him on a boat,” said Dekker. “I wanted to show our members in West Michigan Offshore exactly what Make-A-Wish does and how powerful each dollar is.”
So in true powerboating spirit, WMO took Brooks on a high speed ride across the waters of Lake Michigan in a powerboat going close to 100 mph. Despite relatively flat water Brooks had the time of his life!
“I could do it every weekend,” said Brooks. “I wanted to get some air.”
We are all similar to Brooks in that our passion is not just about speed and noise, it’s about being a kid again and finding that irreplaceable happiness out on the water.
Great Lakes Grand Prix Returns August 4th!
Michigan is gearing up for the eighth annual Great Lakes Grand Prix featuring the biggest, fastest, loudest performance boats in the nation. With 4 days of events planned from parades to parties, and tons of food and drinks to enjoy during the races, the city is expecting this to be bigger than ever with an absolute overflow of crowds.
The “Taste of Michigan City” is scheduled to begin on Friday, Aug. 5, from 5 to 11 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The “Taste” will be held on Franklin Street between 7th Street and 4th Street, with a free shuttle loop running from Washington Park and Taste of Michigan City at 4th and Franklin Street. A continuous free shuttle service will run from Washington Park and Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa both Saturday and Sunday. Due to expectations of large crowds, visitors are asked to advantage of the free parking and free shuttle.
On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be a vintage car show in Washington Park presented by Four A’s Car Club.
On Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m., the Boat Parade & Block Party will begin in downtown Michigan City. The boat parade will travel north on Franklin Street from 10th Street to 4th Street.
Here you can meet the race teams and get a close-up look at the boats. There will be no entrance fee to the event and the party will include a “Taste of Michigan City” featuring local restaurants, sponsored by the Michigan City Mainstreet Association.
On Sunday, there will be a charity silent auction on the east end of the boardwalk next to the VIP tent from 10am until 10 minutes after the last race. All proceeds from this auction will be split between the LaPorte County Growing up Green Program and the Michigan City High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps.
After spending time at the event’s first three days getting to know the racers and their boats, spend Sunday rooting for the team you’ve adopted as your favorite. Racing begins at 11 a.m. Sunday, with two races.
The Search is On For Boat Involved in Hit and Run of Snorkler Near tampa
Investigators are currently looking for the operator of a boat that was involved in a hit and run of a Fort Pierce woman snorkeling near Tampa last Friday.
The accident took place in Homosassa Bay where 27-year-old Samantha Saunier was snorkeling. She was swimming back towards her boat when a passing boat hit her. Instead of stopping to help, the operator fled the seen leaving Saunier’s father to flag down another boat to help bring his injured daughter to shore.
Saunier was rushed to Bayonett Point Medical Center where she was treated from a spiral cut from her lower back to her knee and a fractured pelvic bone.
Call the Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-3922 if you have any information to help authorities in the hit-and-run investigation.
Community Gives Back to Reece Memorial Fund in a Big Way
When the Anthony and Tammy Reece passed two weekends ago it rocked the powerboating community to its core. There is nothing harder than losing a family member and when you lose two of the Reece’s caliber at the same time it’s hard to keep it together. We know many of our powerboating family are having more than a difficult time, most of all the Reece’s closest family members. But after seeing the memorial fund page created in honor of Anthony and Tammy to help with the family’s upcoming expenses, and how much has already been raised, it’s clear that they were loved infinitely and they will be remembered forever.
The memorial fund has already raised $7,100 of the $25,000 the family is seeking which is no small feat. We urge those of you that knew the Reece’s personally or even just saw them fly by you on Saddle Up to visit the funding page and help the mourning family be able to concentrate on remembering their loved ones not their expenses. Whether it’s $5 or $500 it will make a difference.
We wish the Reece family the best during this hard time and look forward to seeing Anthony and Tammy honored as they should be, with care, happiness, respect, and love.
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