On the Fourth of July, dozens of boat-owners loaded friends and family into their watercraft and floated into bays and lakes to watch fireworks spectaculars. However, for one group on a large Yacht, this festive occasion ended in a terrible tragedy. The yacht was floating on the Long Island Sound near Oyster Bay, New York, when it suddenly capsized. The police say that the 34-foot Silverton yacht was built in 1984, but had recently been purchased by the owner. According to code, the owner should have had a life jacket on board for every single passenger that night, but it is not clear whether or not he was able to abide by this protocol.
The vessel sank 60 feet under the water, so the life-jacket situation has yet to be investigated. Investigators have been able to deduce that the group on the yacht were watching a legal fireworks display at the Cove Necks Shore. However, a thunderstorm moved through the area and the yacht turned right, tipping when it hit a large wake. The waves came up almost over the yacht, toppling it to one side. A boater nearby says that the actions happened in a sort of slow motion, spilling passengers into the cold water. Most of the passengers suffered minor injuries, but three children were not able to battle the waters, and sunk to the bottom.
The bodies of a 12-year-old boy, an 10-year-old girl and an 8-year-old girl were recovered from the boats cabin, which was submerged 60 feet under water. Some police suspect that the yacht was sideswiped by another boat because of the congestion on the bay. Alcohol is not suspected as a factor in the accident. If you or a loved one was injured or killed on another person’s boat, and the incident could have been apprehended if men and women had taken better means, then you need to contact a personal injury attorney.
At the Lanier Law Group, P.A., we are dedicated to helping the men and women of North Carolina through all of their personal injury troubles, from boat accidents to medical malpractice and nursing home abuse suits. Talk to someone at our firm today for more information.