Tragic Accident off Montauk

An ordinary father-son fishing trip turned deadly last weekend 12 miles off Montauk Point, New York. The son, Cody McMillan watched helplessly as his father Marty was pulled into the cold water by the anchor line. Mr. McMillan was not wearing a life jacket when he tossed the anchor overboard. The line got tangled around his leg and he was dragged over.

The son fired a flare into the sky and called the Coast Guard. The Mayday call was heard by the USCG at about 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Fishing boat Capt. John DeMaio was about a hundred yards away when he heard the call. He rushed over and helped pull the father’s body from the choppy waters.

DeMaio had begun cardiopulmonary resuscitation when the Coast Guard arrived. Marty McMillan was taken back to shore, where he died at Southampton Hospital.


For more on the story click here.

Delivery Men Make Mistake

Here’s an unfortunate accident that made for some dramatic pictures. A brand new Sealine 37 was on its way from Southampton, England to Ireland but never reached the Emerald Isle. Instead, the delivery crew of two hit a ledge at 16 knots, holing the hull. The crew was unhurt, and subsequently rescued, but the brand new 37 was not so lucky. The Falmouth Lifeboat Station attempted to tow the Sealine to a nearby beach, but the vessel sunk before it made it to the shore. The owner had yet to set foot on his American-made vessel.

As for the crew, an official from the Lifeboat Station had this to say, according to the Daily Mail paper, “They didn't hang around and they got the first bus to Southampton and looked very worried.” I bet. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Grounded!

According to a report from the Associated Press, a 63-meter (approximately 205-foot) cruise ship ran aground in Tarr Inlet near Glacier Bay, Alaska on Monday. Fortunately, no injuries were reported nor did the ship's hull suffer any serious damage. The vessel, which is owned by Cruise West, was carrying 51 passengers when she ran aground. She was stuck for nearly nine hours before being successfully towed to safety. The Coast Guard has yet to determine whether the accident was caused by human error or because of an electronic/mechanical malfunction.

Less Than a Grand Slam

Bob Uecker, the legendary Milwaukee Brewers sportscaster, also famous for spoofing himself in the ‘80’s Major League baseball comedies, got one out of the proverbial left-field when his express cruiser was hit by the 551-ft freighter St. Mary’s Challenger. Uecker’s boat was tied dockside on the Kinnickinnic River at the time, and no injuries were reported, but the celebrity’s beloved boat suffered severe damage. The sportscaster was supposed to use his cruiser for a charity-fishing event the following weekend; fortunately, he was loaned one for the purpose. To appropriate one of Uecker’s favorite expressions, "How about that one, folks?!" For video of the damage, click here.