The family are saying that when they got to the scene, officers were seen repairing or replacing the bulb.

It appears that two boats collided and the father of the woman who was on the news, was thrown overboard. A search of the area was conducted. The man was in his seventies.

When I tuned in, the story had already started. I don't know if the body was found yet.

Confirmed, the body was found. Gladstone Ferguson was his name. A few men were thown off the boat at impact.

Seems like the starboard? light was off.

This sucks, if the Defence Force Boat's light was off, I wonder if they are liable for anything. Without the light perhaps the other boat had no warning? Not being a boat person myself anyone else know? I would imagine the other boat had some lights too, or did they not in this case?

link to article http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=14068

As far as I know, all boats at night require running lights aft and stern. I doubt the 11 foot aluminum boat was equipped but can not verify that. It is up to the investigation.

When my wife and I would go out fishing at night, we had a 13 ft Boston Whaler which was not equipped with lights. We did however bring a spot light and keep a running light on at all times. Many times we would be fishing a mile from shore between the RBDF Coral Harbour base and the power plant at Clifton Pier and hear a boat motor. It would then get very loud and go-fast boats would zip by us without lights on followed by Defense Force boats.

In my mind, it is not safe in Bahamian waters at night unless you are lite up like a christmas tree.

link to article http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=14068
As far as I know, all boats at night require running lights aft and stern. I doubt the 11 foot aluminum boat was equipped but can not verify that. It is up to the investigation.
When my wife and I would go out fishing at night, we had a 13 ft Boston Whaler which was not equipped with lights. We did however bring a spot light and keep a running light on at all times. Many times we would be fishing a mile from shore between the RBDF Coral Harbour base and the power plant at Clifton Pier and hear a boat motor. It would then get very loud and go-fast boats would zip by us without lights on followed by Defense Force boats.
In my mind, it is not safe in Bahamian waters at night unless you are lite up like a christmas tree.


'Aft' and 'stern' are essentially the same thing. Boats are required to have running lights (97½° visibility) on the port side (red light), similar light on the starboard side (green light) on the bow/ forward of midship and a 270° white light aft. A 360° white light is needed when at anchor.

As a rule - that is the only lighting required by international law while running at sea.

Spotlights are very valuable as well. The ability to shine a light into an approaching boats face might very well save your life. Flares are even better, but expensive and one-time-use only.

But you are right unless you are lit up (with lights, not booze) people are taking their life into their own hands out there.

thanks for the correction, you can see I was never in the Navy or took the US Coast Guard test

thanks for the correction, you can see I was never in the Navy or took the US Coast Guard test


No problem. It's one of those things that got burned into my head a long long time ago.

If you can still find it, look for a book called 'Shipkiller'. It's about a couple sailing in the Atlantic when they get run over by a supertanker. The woman dies and the dude spends the rest of the book trying to sink the ship that killed his bride. It's a good read, even if you aren't too 'boaty'! :D

I'm suprised they didn't make it into a Van Dam or Steven Segal B-movie.

No problem. It's one of those things that got burned into my head a long long time ago.
If you can still find it, look for a book called 'Shipkiller'. It's about a couple sailing in the Atlantic when they get run over by a supertanker. The woman dies and the dude spends the rest of the book trying to sink the ship that killed his bride. It's a good read, even if you aren't too 'boaty'! :D
I'm suprised they didn't make it into a Van Dam or Steven Segal B-movie.
I read that book about 20 years ago. Not bad. The large surface area of the Supertaker, actually ULCC (Ultra Large Crude Carrier), block the wind from the sailboat preventing it from getting out of the way.

'Aft' and 'stern' are essentially the same thing. Boats are required to have running lights (97½° visibility) on the port side (red light), similar light on the starboard side (green light) on the bow/ forward of midship and a 270° white light aft. A 360° white light is needed when at anchor.
As a rule - that is the only lighting required by international law while running at sea.
Actually, from dead ahead to 112½° port or starb'd or 22½° abaft the beam and stern light is 135°.:D

I read that book about 20 years ago. Not bad. The large surface area of the Supertaker, actually ULCC (Ultra Large Crude Carrier), block the wind from the sailboat preventing it from getting out of the way.
Actually, from dead ahead to 112½° port or starb'd or 22½° abaft the beam and stern light is 135°.:D


I still have it, came from St. Andrew's senior library 20 years ago...

Always stand to be corrected on the specifics, that's why I have reference material on the shelf! I can never remember those details...