The Future Of Boating Is Here You Just Can’t Hear It

Orlando, FL (June 2, 2011) – The 100% electric Ski Nautique E pulled the head-to-head slalom exhibition with legendary skiers Andy Mapple and Kris LaPoint during the 52nd Masters Water Ski Tournament.

“It was not until after the event that I fully realized what had happened; we just skied an event behind the world’s first 100% electric tournament ready ski boat,” said Andy Mapple. “By developing this boat and including it at the Masters, Nautique once again demonstrated its forward thinking for the industry and our sport.”

For its first major event in front of thousands of spectators, the Ski Nautique E pulled LaPoint on Saturday and Mapple on Sunday through the slalom course, and also led the parade during the opening ceremonies on Sunday, kicking off the Masters Finals.

“It was amazing to watch the crowd react to the 100% electric Ski Nautique E,” stated Nautique President/CEO Bill Yeargin. “Everyone was incredibly quiet and captivated as they watched the electric boat in action.”

Celebrating 86 years of boat building excellence, Correct Craft, Inc. is the producer of the Nautique line of boats. The manufacturer of Nautique is known for delivering superior quality product, cutting-edge technology and exceptional service experiences. nautique.comSee the complete Nautique line at nautique.com.

Kristin
2011-06-02

Ridiculous! Brunswick partially liable in prop accident.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals last week affirmed a decision handed down last year by a jury that Brunswick Corp. was partially liable for a 2005 accident on Lake Austin, Texas, in which a teen’s leg was severed by a propeller

The court’s decision, filed May 27, was unanimous.

Jacob Brochtrup brought the case against Mercury Marine and Sea Ray. He was 18 at the time of the accident.

On the day of the accident, Brochtrup and three others were in a 17.6-foot Sea Ray, powered by a 135-hp MerCruiser sterndrive. When one of the tow ropes unhooked and fell into the water, Brochtrup jumped in behind the boat to retrieve it, according to court documents.

The driver put the boat in reverse to stop its forward motion and backed over Brochtrup. The propeller shredded his right leg, which was ultimately amputated at the hip joint.

According to the original suit, the manufacturer of the boat and motor did not have safety devices, including guards or covers, to prevent Brochtrup from becoming entangled or stuck.

The case proceeded to trial three times, with the first two juries unable to reach a verdict. The third jury concluded that there was a design defect and awarded damages to Brochtrup.

Jurors ordered the company to pay $3.8 million in medical expenses and damages, finding that Brunswick shared more than half the blame for the accident. Jurors found that Brochtrup also was responsible, as was the driver of the boat.

The appeals court decision includes upholding the jury finding that an unguarded propeller was “unreasonably dangerous and defectively designed.” That jury finding necessarily included determining that a guard would prevent the injury and would not adversely affect the use of the boat or engine, Brochtrup’s lawyer Robby Alden said.

“The parties collectively spent over a million dollars testing the guard, and the jury heard substantial evidence from all experts,” Alden said in an e-mail to Soundings Trade Only. “Believe me, guards work and save lives.”

Brunswick did not immediately return a request for comment.

After last year’s verdict, Brunswick issued a statement saying they “stand behind our products, which are used safely and properly by boaters around the world.”

“While we at Brunswick remain sympathetic to the plaintiff for this unfortunate accident, we are nevertheless disappointed with today's verdict,” Brunswick officials added last year.

Video Of The Week: “Pliny The Elder And The Harbors Of Healing”

                                                                 Perceptum Quispiam Dammitium!

What do you get when you combine Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Gaius Plinius Secundus, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Herculaneum, short legged pants, and pyroclastic flow? We present to you “Pliny The Elder And The Harbors Of Healing”  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeYqlWA9ZI4

Lest We Forget

Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, honors the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer. In 2011, Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 30.
  • Each year on Memorial Day a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time.

  • Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to honor the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:

    The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

    During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.

    This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the Civil War. In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Miss.; Macon, Ga.; Richmond, Va.; Boalsburg, Pa.; and Carbondale, Ill.

    In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, N.Y., the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.

    By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America's wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. (Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, is celebrated each year on November 11.)

    Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.

    Courtesy of History.com

    Several Southern states continue to set aside a special day for honoring the Confederate dead, which is usually called Confederate Memorial Day.