BajaNomad

Feds blame crew for Baja fishing boat deaths

Gypsy Jan - 4-30-2013 at 04:44 PM

From The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — "The U.S. Coast Guard says the owner and crew of a fishing boat that sank in the Sea of Cortez two years ago and killed eight Northern California men were negligent.

The Contra Costa Times (http://tinyurl.com/cyjkxay ) reported on Tuesday that in a letter sent to Mexico's Secretary of Communications and Transportation, Coast Guard officials agreed with the conclusions of Mexican investigators.

A group of 27 U.S. fishermen and 16 Mexican crew members were on an annual boating excursion during the July 4th holiday break in 2011 when a freak storm off the coast of Baja California capsized and sank the Erik.

Mexican investigators concluded that "major modifications" made the boat unstable. Investigators also blamed the crew for failing to issue safety instructions to passengers."

woody with a view - 4-30-2013 at 06:44 PM

that's our guvmint! ONLY two years to figure that one out?

durrelllrobert - 4-30-2013 at 07:32 PM

But they can't be hung now.

Bubba - 5-1-2013 at 03:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
From The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — "The U.S. Coast Guard says the owner and crew of a fishing boat that sank in the Sea of Cortez two years ago and killed eight Northern California men were negligent.

The Contra Costa Times (http://tinyurl.com/cyjkxay ) reported on Tuesday that in a letter sent to Mexico's Secretary of Communications and Transportation, Coast Guard officials agreed with the conclusions of Mexican investigators.

A group of 27 U.S. fishermen and 16 Mexican crew members were on an annual boating excursion during the July 4th holiday break in 2011 when a freak storm off the coast of Baja California capsized and sank the Erik.

Mexican investigators concluded that "major modifications" made the boat unstable. Investigators also blamed the crew for failing to issue safety instructions to passengers."


And now what?

Caveat Emptor

MrBillM - 5-3-2013 at 09:52 AM

While I haven't been aboard (as a customer) a Mex Fishing Boat in 30 years or so, we have viewed them from a distance and often said "THAT doesn't look Seaworthy".

Imagine how they would look close-up.

And, then deciding to sail off.

While "Hoping for the Best" is OK, better is "Planning for the Worst".

David K - 5-3-2013 at 10:26 AM

The original thread on the Erik sinking is here: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=53870