Picture of the boat from Mattox Bay

[huntersmky]

from the website it looks like a nice cab boat but you can only see half. Have they stated what caused the accident?

[levi127]

I hate to hear about that either way. I wouldnt feel safe in that boat period. No one really knows what happened exactly, I havent seen or read yet.

What is weird I was actually looking at booking a hunt with them and bringing another buddy. I had been talking to them over the last couple of days before this happened. Thats just weird to me to see the same outfitter I was talking to was involved in this.

[duckkiller]

I dont see whats wrong with the boat. It looks like every cab boat Ive seen before

[Dux Be Us]

Living on the coast I saw guys riding in crustier looking boats for sure...here is my concern, particularly the last sentence:

LOADING & CAPACITY PLATES

The terms loading and capacity relate to the weight of people, fuel and gear that can be safely carried. The safe load of a boat in terms of people depends on a number of characteristics, including hull volume and dimension, the weight of the engine and, if an outboard, how is it mounted. The number of seats in a boat is not an indication of the number of people it can safely carry. Capacity plates can generally be found on the inside transom, or next to the helm station.

Capacity plates should never be removed, altered, or tampered with. While it is not a Federal violation for a boat owner to exceed the listed capacities, many states do have statutes prohibiting the carriage of people and gear in excess of the stated capacity, or the installation of a motor that exceeds the recommended horse power limit. Also, you may void your insurance policy if you are found to have exceeded the limits stated on your capacity plate.

Under the U.S. Coast Guard Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971, boats less than 20 feet powered with an inboard, outboard, or stern drive engine manufactured after November 1, 1972, must display a capacity plate defining the safe load limits. This plate must be mounted where you can see it when preparing to get underway. Sailboats, canoes, kayaks and inflatable boats are exempt from this standard.

Typical Capacity Plate information by boat type:

Boats powered by outboards: the maximum persons capacity in pounds and maximum weight capacity (persons, motor and gear) in pounds and maximum horsepower capacity.
Boats powered by inboards and stern drives: the maximum persons capacity in pounds and maximum weight capacity (persons and gear). (The Coast Guard Safe Powering Standard does not apply to inboards, stern drives, etc.)
Manually propelled boats: the maximum persons capacity in pounds and maximum weight capacity (persons and gear).
Also keep in mind the limits defined on capacity plates apply in good to moderate weather conditions. In rough waters, keep the weight well below the limit. In ideal weather conditions, it is recommended that you distribute your load evenly, keep weight low, and avoid abrupt changes in distribution. This is especially important if your boat’s capacity is fully used or if weather conditions deteriorate. It is also important to remember that people represent a "live" load and moving about affects a boat quite differently than static loads. In general, shift human or other weight only after stopping or slowing.

[duckkiller]

[quote="Dux Be Us"] The number of seats in a boat is not an indication of the number of people it can safely carry.




Well said

[the doctor]

boat looks as solid as any Ive been in...Id venture to say that no boat would look real stable or safe from the angle and position of these photos...ie if the boat were up floating no one would have any issue with it

those boats are built tough as hell and most if not all the floatation exists under the front deck which is why it is bobbling like it is not to mention the heavy ass motor weighin down the other end and aluminum dont rust...so it aint rusty

they have probably ferried 8 people many times in that thing with no problems although I would think 8 is a bit much but I doubt they are running very far or very fast

tragic accident for sure and a true testament to how quickly things can get out of hand and how fast

that being said what type of lifeljacket do you use?

the doc

[quack_a_tack]

I don't see where it is a piece of junk, but I do agree there was no reason to have 8 people aboard. Dark in a river, even a boat rated for 8 I would be a lil scared. But I also think this is a freak accident. There is no telling how many times they have done that, and nothin bad haappened.

[outlaw josey wales]

those old monark and duracraft boats had absolutely no floatation in the m and most of them had old low transoms also which we re notorious for taking on water in abrupt stops or in this instance turning very sharp under a heavy load. not that i know alot about boats or nothingand userd to own one just like and it i had to run the bildge pump non stop in the water cause it leaked like a strainer.

not sure if i am right but the boat is probaly sitting on the bottom from looks of the trees??? maybe wrong but i call it junk cause it is definitely not rated for 8 people and probaly wont safely carry 5 and gear. hell all of yall jump in one of them and stike out but all i am saying is those old boats were not made to float like the new boats are and i aint getting my dumb ass in one but hell yall go right ahead when ms river is flooded out and the current is 3 times as strong as usual. i been preaching for years that this aint a place to take it lightly . the ms river and adjoining rivers to it do not play under flood stage or high water. i am tired of talking about it and 2 guys lost lives from this ordeal and it was a basic mistake and all i want is to see people who have no clue of the power of the river to be careful . i aint no expert but i have been out on it a damn good bit since i was probaly 8 or so and that would mean 30 plus years. most of the time i dont think a life jacket would save you out there but atleast you got a small chance to stay alive if you have it on and maybe could get rescued cause you aint swimming in this cold swift water and making it very far

[jdbuckshot]

Just like my old boat. There solid as a Rick in the water. Mine was an 1852 and I would never dream of putting 8 folks in it. 4 was the max with all the gear. Also many "work" boats like these can be registered commercial and do not require a rating plate.

My prayers go to the family and friends of those who were lost

[teul2]

I am assuming this was the boat.

[farmerc83]

does anyone know if maybe any of hunters got stuck in the cab? If it went down butt end first, like the first pictue shows, and the only open end of the cab was in the back then possibly some of them were trapped? Not trying to speculate disrespectfully but the boat looks fine (probably not for eight) and it pictures make it appear like a possibility.

[brandon327]

I wish someone knew the real story. In the first post the guy was with his dad and now in this post they were with a guide. The picture of the sunken boat the picture of the boat teul posted are not the same boat.

One lesson should be learned from this for everyone reading this is wear a PFD.

[MemphisStockBroker]

I know that some of you were discussing this earlier. Friends of mine were hunting nearby and tried to help out when they heard the yells for help. Terrible accident!!!

Does not look like the same boat from their website.

[GIB]

Here is the obituary for one of the hunters:

MATTHEW T. MILLER , age 25, of Hoover passed away unexpectedly in a boating accident on Saturday, January 16, 2010. He was a United Methodist minister serving at Propst Memorial United Methodist Church in Millport, Alabama. Matt was a graduate of both Hoover High School and the University of Alabama. He was expected to graduate from Memphis Theological Seminary in May. Matt was an Eagle Scout and remained active in Scouting. He was a member of the Millport Police Department. Matt was very active in his community. He served on the Lamar County DHR Quality Assurance Board, North Alabama Commission on Higher Education, West Alabama Emmaus Cluster, and was the Spiritual Director for Alabama Chrysalis Community. Matt was recently named the South Lamar Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year. Matt was a summer camp director at Camp Sumatanga for many years. The lives of those touched by Matt will forever be changed. Matt is survived by his parents, Bill and Donna Miller; brothers, David, Donald and Robert; grandmothers, Carolyn Miller of Hoover and Mary Ann Hornbuckle of New Hope, Alabama, and a host of loving family and friends. The family will receive friends on Tuesday at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham from 5:00pm - 8:00pm. A celebration of Matt's life will be held at Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Vestavia Hills on Wednesday at 11:00am. Interment will follow at Hayden Cemetery in New Hope, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the Propst Memorial United Methodist Church Food Pantry, P.O. Box 215, Millport, AL 35576. Published in The Birmingham News from January 19 to January 20, 2010

[BucksandDucks]

Story that was told to us by a guiding service in that area was that he had it loaded down and went from full throttle to nothing in a second. The wake came over the transom and the boat started to sink. The two that drown were stuck in cab and couldn't get out.

Really bad deal all the way around. Prayers for the everyone involved.