Are Inspected Vessels Really Safe?

The tour boat that sank in Lake George New York in 2005 was inspected by New York State regulators, and passed, even though the vessel had been modified.

In that accident, 22 elderly passengers were drowned. Inspectors for the Coast Guard have been examining the Ethan Allen, and doing water testing of a similar vessel to try to determine what went wrong.

The modifications to the Ethan Allen included a new Fibreglas canopy to replace the canvas cover that was serving as a sunshade, and a new heavier engine. The modifications would change the weight of the vessel, possibly raise the center of gravity, and affect its reserve buoyancy. The water tests that were being performed yesterday were terminated when the boat heeled alarmingly while maneuvering.

State regulations imposed on vessels operating on inland waters are less strict than the federal inspection rules applied to passenger vessels operating on the oceans and adjacent waters. In federal stability tests, the entire weight of the passengers and crew may be applied to one rail to determine whether the vessel has sufficient reserve buoyancy to remain upright.

An experienced captain was at the helm of the Ethan Allen when the boat capsized in the wake of a larger vessel. He was the only crewmember on board, even though New York State regulations required a second crewmember. Survivors have testified that there was no safety briefing before the trip began.

(from various news sources)