Watercraft Accidents - San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
October 4, 2010 - An 8-year-old boy was killed and five others were injured on December 20, 2009 when a Coast Guard vessel struck a civilian boat during the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. The passengers on board the 26-foot Sea Ray had just finished watching a fireworks display and were waiting for the start of the boat parade when they heard the 33-foot Coast Guard vessel approaching from behind at about 6:00 p.m. near Harbor Island. The pleasure boat had 13 people on board at the time it was hit. The Coast Guard vessel was apparently responding to an emergency call for a grounded boat. This week, an investigating officer for the Coast Guard found no legal justification for the collision. In a just-released report, the officer said the Coast Guard should have known that driving their boat so fast in a harbor crowded with other boats would be dangerous. The report was forwarded to a Rear Admiral who will determine whether or not to order a court martial. Eyewitnesses said they heard the Coast Guard saying, "Watch out" and "Oh my God,” before they struck the other boat. “They had half a second warning before the thing hit,” an eyewitness reported. The boy's father said he tried to steer out of the way but couldn't. He thought the Coast Guard boat was going to turn at some point, but they came up so fast he didn't have time to react. The San Diego Bay parade of Lights is one of the city's longest-running and best-known holiday events. More than 80,000 people were expected to watch the annual procession of lighted boats from the bay and on shore. If you or a loved one have been injured or suffered a wrongful death as a result of a watercraft accident, please call an experienced and trusted Sonoma County Personal Injury attorney for a free consultation about your case.