PropellerSafety.com

Author Archive for Gary – Page 4

Boat Accident Trials: Harsh Forum Comments on Verdicts

Some thoughts for those who tend to offer snap judgements about what happened in boating accidents along with what should have happened in jury trials. When we read about boating cases/trials in online boating forums, we naturally want to weigh in on what we think happened in the accident. In addition, we also want to […]

Malibu Boats loses 200 million dollar jury trial

Parties in the Batcheler vs. Malibu Boats Legal Case / Trial in Georgia. Stephan Paul Batchelder & Margaret Mary Batchelder (parents of Ryan Batchelder, deceased). Dennis Ficarra (operator of the boat and Ryan’s great uncle). Malibu Boats West. Malibu Boats LLC. 5 July 2023 UPDATE In late June 2023 Malibu reached a settlement agreement to […]

USCG releases Recreational Boating Statistics 2020

U.S. Coast Guard released their annual 2019 recreational boating accident statistics report on 30 June 2020. Total number of accidents, injuries, and deaths were up significantly in 2020. 2020 USCG BARD reported accident statistics were 5,265 accidents, 3,191 injuries, and 767 deaths 2019 USCG BARD reported accident statistics were 4,168 accidents 2,559 injuries, and 613 […]

Hank Cherry, Mercury, & Bass Cat win 2021 Bassmaster Classic

Congratulations to Hank Cherry for winning the Bassmaster Classic Sunday 13 June 2021. The Classic was delayed this year due to the virus. Hank is actually a repeat back to back winner as he won in 2020. The tournament was on Lake Ray Roberts with the Weigh In in Fort Worth. The Classic Confetti photo […]

Feasel propeller case heard by Utah Supreme Court

On June 30, 2012 Mr Feasel and Mr Martinez were fishing. They were in a Tracker bass boat powered by a Mercury Marine outboard motor on a Utah reservoir. The boat swerved and both men were ejected. The unmanned boat circled in the Circle of Death. Mr. Feasel, the passenger, was repeatedly struck the propeller. […]

Kill Switch regulation Coast Guard News Release

Kill Switch Regulation Details announced by U.S. Coast Guard today, 10 March 2021. USCG News Release News Release U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Contact: Headquarters Public Affairs Headquarters online newsroom U.S. Coast Guard Announces New Law Requiring Use of Engine Cut-off Switches WASHINGTON – Operators of recreational vessels less than 26 feet in length will be […]

Analyzing Boat Acceleration & Boat Coast Down Data

This paper develops a new mathematical model for how boats accelerate during a high speed test run. The process divides a top speed run into two segments, namely a displacement segment and a planing segment. The equation only requires three coefficients for each segment. Each coefficient is independent of the others. Additionally, each coefficient has […]

FLIR receives Virtual Propeller Guard Patent

FLIR was awarded U.S. Patent 10,931,934 for Watercraft Thermal Monitoring System and Methods on 23 February 2021. This patent teaches the use of one or more imaging modules on the vessel scanning one of more areas around the vessel using thermal or non thermal imaging to detect people, debris, or docks in the water near […]

Fell Marine wins Sea Tow National Boating Industry Safety Award

Fell Marine, manufacturer of the MOB+ wireless lanyard kill switch, received the National Boating Industry Safety Award sponsored by Sea Tow Foundation in the Top Gear & Equipment Manufacturer category for 2020. PropellerSafety would like to thank Sea Tow for sponsoring these awards and especially for recognizing the impact a for profit firm, such as […]

OSCAR detects floating debris: avoid log strikes

The origins of OSCAR, a collision avoidance system for boats from Austria, unfolded when Raphael Biancale, a European automotive engineer and founder of the BSB Group, was returning from a 6 month sailing trip in 2013. He searched for ways a sailor could safely navigate at night. His work on intelligent systems for automobiles led […]