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Old 06-07-2011, 23:15   #1
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Exclamation Ferry runs aground in St. Thomas - 6 injured




http://stthomassource.com/content/ne...ht-ferry-crash

I wonder if it was due to over reliance on GPS and waypoint navigation. Perhaps the captain just left it to the autopilot and went to take a dump (at least I'm sure he did when the boat hit the reef ;-)
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Old 07-07-2011, 00:42   #2
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Re: Ferry runs aground in St. Thomas, 6 injured

I very seriously doubt it had anything to do with GPS and waypoint navigation. I have watched those ferries zoom around that area for years. They follow regular routes and usually skirt much too close to shores and visible rocks. It is no surprise when one skirts just a bit too close. BTW, the captain would have had a half-dozen or so island buddies around him Someone is always at or near the helm. They just like going very fast and cutting corners whenever possible. This corner was obviously too close.

BTW, was this across from Christmas Cove? Kind of looks like that area.

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Old 07-07-2011, 00:45   #3
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Re: Ferry runs aground in St. Thomas, 6 injured

I'd be checking the captain's cell phone records to see who he was texting and when.
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Old 07-07-2011, 01:20   #4
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Re: Ferry runs aground in St. Thomas, 6 injured

Quote:
Originally Posted by svBeBe View Post

BTW, was this across from Christmas Cove? Kind of looks like that area.

Judy
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Article says NE end of Great St. James Island.
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Old 07-07-2011, 05:02   #5
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Re: Ferry runs aground in St. Thomas - 6 injured

Ferry runs aground off St. Thomas - News - Virgin Islands Daily News
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Old 07-07-2011, 09:48   #6
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Re: Ferry runs aground in St. Thomas - 6 injured

Could it have been he was checking bottom paint and his zincs???
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Old 07-07-2011, 16:37   #7
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Re: Ferry runs aground in St. Thomas - 6 injured

I took ferries there more than once and as they round that south-east corner of STT, they usually cut way too close to shore or rocks, in fact they tend to take a narrower channel closer to the island between the rock and the island whereas official channel is on the other side.

GPS? I've never seen these guys use any type of electronic navigation aid, not even a paper chart. They drive that damn ferry as they please, 100 ft from rocky shoreline at 35 kts

Also, it was a day of festivities - so I have a feeling captain may have partaken in the juice.
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