At 07:41 PM 12/2/01 -0500, dennis darragh wrote:
>immediate lean to operator error and blame is what i wouldn't want to
>do

Dennis,

I think you are concerned needlessly.  With very few exceptions, the
readers on this list have jumped to no conclusions and have given the crew
every benefit of the doubt, and will continue to do so until more is known.

>does anyone know whether the lines broke or the cleats gave way on the
>vessel or the dock or did the actual dock give way ??? once the boat was
>away from the dock what happened ??? no power ????

In the article that began this tread, it was reported:

>Tugboat captain Earl Young, who was aboard the tug Miss Gayle at the same
>dock during the storm, said it appeared the Wave Dancer was tied too
>tightly at the concrete dock for the high winds and approximate 10-foot
>storm surge. When the height of the water suddenly increased, lines and
>cleats holding the Wave Dancer broke.
>The 120-foot-long boat's stern came loose and tailed out,'' Young said.
>''You could see the lights through the windows. That was for like 10
>seconds. And then she broke away completely, moving across the channel.
>And suddenly there was darkness, nothing.''

(the full article is
at:
<http://www.cyberdiver.net/cdnn/industry/i011119/i011119.html>http://www.cyberdiver.net/cdnn/industry/i011119/i011119.html
)

>there are so many variables that could be the reason besides operator
>error. i hope to see more official findings before pointing a finger .

Me too.