As I am still trying to learn all the boating rules & regulations I for some reason seem to find a lack of any 'common sense' in this entire story. But not being a legal expert of any kind that is up to someone else to determine but I have ot agree with what Jenn stated in that it appears to me someone is trying to 'cover up' big time.

I can say without any doubt at all being an old retired pilot in that the 'slower aircraft' has ALWAYS got the RiGHT OF WAY no matter if it's a Piper Cub or a Cessna twin or a 747. Over the years there have been many aricraft accidents due to people not paying attention to this RULE & it appears to me from reading the story, the sailboat HAD THE RIGHT AWAY regardless. Either way it is a very sad thing to hear the lady lost her life. Regardless the outcome she can never enjoy boating ever again. Very sad indeed. I just hope justice 'prevails' in this case as based on what I read, justice is proving to be very blind & one sided.

Yep...

6 packs a day wow!  How did you have time to do anything else, wcd?  Nowadays one would need a second job to afford that!  LOL.

Cheap/free boating classes are becoming more prevalent in VA now that there is a new law requiring proof that you have passed a class by a certain future date (based on one's age).  The USCGA offers a number of them in my area.  I took a 12 week class (a bit more than I needed, the required one's are usually about half a day) for $60, and it was interesting and informative, and it really opened my eyes to how much I had to learn. 

For some reason, I could not open the first post of this story, so I will start a new post and trust someone will get this to the first post. Just a link to update the outcome of the trial, if it is not already part of the first post. He was correctly found not guilty, but somebody is to blame. I wonder if justice will ever be served.

Bunniestone

http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/justice2.asp

It's been awhile since I could get on a computer. so i'm catching up on some topics. this story on Mr. Dineus and the local law enforcment is very disturbing. I really hope someone in thier states attorny's office look's into this, as the county attorny as some explaining to do in my book. Kudo's WildCatDude, You were the kind of police officer we can look up too! Just my two cents.

Bumedout in Baghdad, but got my bump E-6 SSgt.

Hooah

dahogman wrote: Not Guilty 20 Aug 2009, very suspicious conduct concerning investigation.  I always support the boys in blue but this case is deeply disturbing.  Feds should investigate and if wrong doing is found all involved should face justice.  Picking one scapegoat to protect another is reprehensible at its very core.  This man clearly shouldn't have been piloting the sailboat under the influence but his actions didn't kill the woman.  Speed killed that woman.

I hate to say this but in the small town where I live, unfortunately I see & hear about all kinds of events taking place involving the police but it always seems to get 'covered up' one way of the other. Sooner or later it has to 'blow up' & that is when real justice might get done.

A friend of mine young 19 yr old son had to go to driving school for speeding which I might add the guy running the school just happens to be the NEPHEW of the traffic court judge. Driving school costs $85.00 for an 8 hour class. Anyway the young man was told by the instructor if you see a cop sitting on the road shooting radar or whatever, DO NOT EVEN LOOK AT HIM. It is none of your business what the cop is doing so do not look at him. All I could say was 'are you serious' & his reply reply he was exremely serious.

Just a note to everyone. Where I live I am about 5 miles off of I-95 & I-85 which is referred to as the SPLIT. Years ago this area had a FEATURE article in LIFE maginzine as being the NO #1 radar capitol on the east coast. And it still is that way. When I tell you that you WILL get ticketed for 56 mph in a 55 mph speed zone, you can believe it or not. I've heard of it happening some many times & had people tell me the same thing that got the ticket. Not that some people don't deserve a ticket mind you but it sure does get ridiculous at times. And NO ONE is found NOT GUILTY.