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[porthole]

I noticed that this report re-posted on PD websites leave out the FDNY part 

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rescuers_cop_sized_bAnMRVdcxDyfXpTINy5K6N

A Port Authority boat carrying 10 cops suddenly sank off Breezy Point yesterday — in the midst of a water-rescue exercise.

Seven of the officers were already in the chilly, choppy seas training for their water-rescue certification when the 37-foot craft started sinking at 4:30 p.m., sources said.

One source said a few of the cops swam the 300 years to shore, navigating heavy currents in the 40-foot waters. Some of the other officers and two civilian trainers aboard scrambled to safety in rafts, while the rest were fished out by the FDNY Marine Unit, law-enforcement sources and witnesses said.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rescuers_cop_sized_bAnMRVdcxDyfXpTINy5K6N#ixzz26NGp2cup

wo or three of those aboard were briefly hospitalized.

One PA source speculated that the Moose boat — which the agency bought in 2008 for $500,000 — might have hit a jetty. Witnesses said that once the boat started taking on water, it wasn’t long before it was completely submerged.

“I saw some of the guys trying to bail water out of the back of the boat, which looked unusual,” said Mark Egan, 53, who was sitting on the beach with his wife when they saw the boat go down around 4 p.m.

“It happened so quickly — the boat just went up on a 90-degree angle.”

Another witness, Robert Donnelly, said the officers threw a life raft out and started loading it with gear, then got in themselves.

“Most of the guys were moving to the front [of the sinking craft], and once the back of the boat hit the water, they all abandoned,” he said.

Witness Anne Brennan added, “By the time the first ambulance arrived, the boat was down already.”

A PA source said, “It just goes to show you how treacherous it is, but you have to go out there in those conditions to train.”

The PA will attempt to raise the boat today.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rescuers_cop_sized_bAnMRVdcxDyfXpTINy5K6N#ixzz26NGtbiAX

[Eagle Eye]

Thanks for the report!  It's great to hear there were no casualties.     Hope the one's hospitalized are okay.  I'd consider the mission a success if everyone survived relatively unscathed.  They can replace or salvage the boat.

[chaos901]

Glad that they all appear to be OK.  Reading the article I am wondering why they used the phrase "40 foot waters", it does not appear to be rough and certainly not 40'. 

Possibly 40' deep. 

[porthole]

They are cops - tend to exaggerate ya know  

That area is approximately 40' deep.

And it wasn't chilly, and it wasn't choppy

"might have hit a jetty"
We have done quite a few "jetty boats". There is no mistaking that you have hit a jetty or not.

Fortunately, the only thing bruised will be egos.

[brassspike]

Just sent this to my district...and a couple of the police!!

[muddypaws]

Got to love those cops....

[porthole]

So the manufacturer was quick to issue a press release to defend themselves because of all the conjecture.

Apparently, someone removed the Hamilton water jet access cover to possibly remove some line in the jet.
Only problem with that is this access cover is below the water line and can only be removed while dry docked, or in a travel lift.

A lot of people on board, supposedly more then 3 reported. So you have all the weight in the back, pop a cover and next thing you know you have a fire plug in the bottom of your boat.

http://www.workboat.com/Online-Features/2012/Operator-error-sinks-Port-Authority-vessel-carrying-10-officers/

[Twolanerider]

So the manufacturer was quick to issue a press release to defend themselves

They may have been defending themselves but the picture they offered doesn't completely do the job.  Think of it this way; you can open a service hatch and see this cover over an impeller service port.  Nowhere is there any big (or even small) red flag seen saying "Wo, Stop, Removing this Cover Will Sink Your Ass and Your Boat!"

Want to bet there's warning stickers being printed soon?

[porthole]

They may have been defending themselves but the picture they offered doesn't completely do the job.  Think of it this way; you can open a service hatch and see this cover over an impeller service port.  Nowhere is there any big (or even small) red flag seen saying "Wo, Stop, Removing this Cover Will Sink Your Ass and Your Boat!"

Want to bet there's warning stickers being printed soon?

No doubt there will be. But, you have to know your equipment, and anyone who has used a Ham Jet or similar should know this. And if they don't, they don't belong in charge.
An incident like this with a Naval PIC would have almost instant removal and reassignment.

Still, the irony is with the FDNY coming to the rescue. There are some real issues between the FDNY and NYPD (this incident was Port Authority, not NYPD)

I'm still wondering why the Bomar wasn't put back in place and dogged down. This is a water tight compartment, and probably would not have sunk with the hatch in place, even with a flooded engine room.

[Maladjusted]

I'm with Port on this one... anyone with ANY familiarity with boats would know to be very wary of inspection covers, sea cocks, valves below the waterline. 

[Twolanerider]

I'm with Port on this one... anyone with ANY familiarity with boats would know to be very wary of inspection covers, sea cocks, valves below the waterline. 

Except the boat sank.  So a boat full of well intended but underinformed men were able to make the mistake.  Not disagreeing with Duane's ironic twist of firefighters aiding police on the water.  Since the incident itself proves the possibility, if not the likelihood, of the mistake a nice red circle with a diagonal line over a screwdriver (Don't Screw with This) sure couldn't have hurt.