So many things come to mind:
-- why
buying a boat that's been "lightly chartered" may not be a wise thing to do
-- how likely is it that this customer is going to voluntarily admit to the
charter company that he ran their boat hard onto a reef? (Will the customer try to erase chartplotter's
GPS track for that day?)
-- how closely does a
charter company inspect their boats when they are returned after a charter trip?
-- this could have been so much worse. It was really the perfect conditions for running aground. Flat seas. Light winds. Broad daylight. Striking the reef head-on instead of a glancing strike (ala Titanic). A
rescue vessel right there. Lucky, lucky guy. Dumb, but lucky.
-- Not a good thing to put on your "sailing experience" resume for future charters!
A useful cautionary tale for everyone who
sails. Relax, but be vigilant.
Bob