YOUR COMMENTS

What kind of a person would agree with the suing of this kid if it happens? I would just be thankful that I was okay, ask for a new kayak, and realize that there must be somebody up there watching over me. I'd be happy just to be alive instead of using the opportunity for personal monetary gain on the basis of "emotional trauma" or something equal made up.
- Leon, Derry

According to facts listed on another website, the kayaker was in a gray plastic kayak and not very visible until the last second due to sun and the boats bow rise. There was no reason for the driver to be looking backwards as there were a few spotters in the book including adults who were clearly not texting. And the kayaker was only taken to the hospital because he insisted himself. People need to get off their high horse and read all the facts before they decide to blame a driver for a truly awful circumstance.
- DJ, Dover

As one of the first responders to the accident, I must admit I was amazed. First, that the kayaker didn't have a scratchon him despite the kayak being destroyed. As a avid kayaker, I have always debated about wearing a PFd or not and have chosen to do so since almost all kayak fatalities are from drowning. This s the first time I can recall the possibility of not wearing one saving someone from injury. Not sure I would change on this but this did cause me to think.
Second, the most amazing thing was it was really hard to blame the driver of the boat despite the obvious fact that THE KAYAK ALWAYS HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY. I expected to hear about some flagrant abuse by another idiot boat driver but instead what I heard was driving in a straight line at under 25 mph, bright morning calm weather, no cell phones or ipods on board and at least two adults and driver was not only licensed but experienced, not drunk or high. Only thing I could fault the guy for was not wearing sunglasses as the explanation for no one seeing the kayaker until the last second was he was in the sun glare and the middle of the channel. That said, it is still his fault but if ever I thought of GOD, this was it because it was a freakin miracle the dude had not a scratch on him On top of this, he was remarkably calm. Perhaps he saw GOD as well? Certainly GOD was shining down on all of them that day.
- RJ, Bradford

The New Hampshire Marine Patrol is a joke. I lived on Mascoma Lake for 25 years and saw them maybe -- MAYBE -- five times...and only twice on a weekend. They basically serve a clean-up function, coming in after the damage is done to determine what laws were broken.

The notion that they do any substantive proactive enforcement anywhere but Winnipesaukee is a pipe dream the Department of Safety wishes you subscribed to.
- RC, Claremont

there's plenty of reason why this happened. All those that think any party is any better than the other can go back to school and catch up on the laws of physics. Bigger boat vs small boat,,, guess who's going to get the worst of it should they meet in an untimely fashion. Flare gun on the vest... perfect idea,, flag installed similar to ATV's in the dunes,, good idea. If this Kayak broke in half,, best bet it was wooden. I would image it was very sparkly bobbing in the water,,, What this story might not be clear on was the conditions.. .what was the hight of the sun,, ,could the kayak have been lost in the glaze. Was the power boat just getting on plane or was it "plowing" through the water so that the bow could be obstructing the view... there's plenty of variables, this kid may have been to blame,, but don't be so sure until you've been out on the water. Thanks to god all are safe.
- Tim, Derry

Glenn,

Where does it say the kayaker had a jacket on?

I'm guessing that they took him to the hospital to make sure there were no other damages. Who knows how long he went under water and if he dove deep down, maybe struggled.

And there are some kayaks out there that I have seen that could most definately be split in half by a power boat.
- Don, manch

Fellow kayakers. I gave up on the big lakes and their erratic speed boat traffic patterns. Been staying on ponds and such for safety sake. When visiting Sunapee, I always stay along the shoreline with the ducks. This could have easily been a tragedy. Smart thinking on the kayaker's part, reckless disregard towards safety on the speedboater's part. Glad no one was hurt. Safe paddling everyone.
- TK, Claremont

Good idea, Ben! The powerboaters should just run down all the kayakers they can... and decrease the excess population, eh? Next thing those kayakers will want the powerboaters to pay for their funerals too!
- Steve B, Derry

Unfortunately, the smart kayakers on the water appear to be in the Minority. I see way to many kayakers that just plain have ZERO common sense when out on the water. Before you kayakers jump all over me, the common sense power boaters are few and far between also. Living on a lake the majority of the power boaters that are the problem are the ones that come in for the day, would be willing to bet that the majority have never even taken the required boating course.

Back to the kayakers, on any given weekend during the summer months, we see them out in the middle of the lake just sitting there in the boat traffic, they come paddling out from behind islands and never look to see if any other boats are approaching. They must think a power boat can just slam on the brakes to stop for them, guess what boats have no brakes.

Marine Patrol NEEDS to a do a better job at patrolling the lakes. They should be talking to those kayakers and power boaters alike that seem to think it is there given right to be on the body of water. Also start doing random checks on Power Boater to verify they have completed the required boating course to drive the boat.

A final note, ALL BOATERS, INCLUDING NON POWER BOATS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE SAME BOATING COURSE THAT POWER BOATERS ARE PRIOR TO SETTING OUT ON THE WATER.

New Hampshire lakes are an accident waiting to happen.
- George, Raymond

Sounds like he was a lucky man, I'm sure the only reason he went to the Hospital was to have it on record for when he sue the pants off of that kid and his parents, I'd do the same thing....
- Jim, Manchester

Certainly the reckless driver should be cited for dangerous operation of a watercraft and be required to reimburse the kayaker for replacement kayak and equipment. Suggesting that kayakers have no reason to be in the middle of the lake is ridiculous.
- gary, Newbury

This is why I stay within 150' of shore when paddling on big lakes. Power boats can't travel beyond idle speed within this perimeter. When doing larger water crossings, I move fast, travel in a tight group and I'm 99% sure it will be a safe passage or I will not proceed. As is the case with motorcycles, when in a kayak, you must assume that you are invisable. I do like the flare in my vest idea. Doesn't do much good stowed away in my hatch if needed with seconds to spare.
- Doug, Derry, NH

As alarming as this article is, I'm still more baffled by the few responses that think the kayaker went out of his way, raced in front of the boat when the driver wasn't looking. I think Glenn from Pelham has a great future in politics.
- C Mac, Allenstown

Gene, "Horace" is the same gentleman who had a rather large 'fish tale' regarding Steven Tyler posted yesterday. Unfortunatly, Steven Tyler was in his mid 20's at the time "Horace" claimed to have taken 'little steven' on several fishing trips. Hot Air Horace is most likely a bored old man who has simply discovered the internet and is passing the time fruitlessly.
- Mike, Concord

After re-reading the article I notice it said BOTH parties went ashore and called police. I think that show some matuirty on the part of the boat driver. At least he did not contiue to speed away, and stuck around to help, and take resposibilty for the kayaker. I hope Mr Knott btakes full advantage of the second chance he is getting.
- Traci, keene

According to Ben we paddlers aren't to go out in deep water? We have to stay close to shore so the power boaters can be stupid?
I wish this kind of arrogance and selfishness was rare, but I see it on Winnipesaukee all the time. And by the way, Ben, if you think the area within 50 feet of shore is free of
speedboats and jetskis, you aren't paying attention.
- Andrew, Center Harbor

Sorry Ben, your comment shows you are part of the problem. I kayak on lakes and 9 miles out to sea. I have seen power boaters without PFDs on, much less safe than a Kayaker with a PFD on.

"But if the kayaker was in the middle of the lake....its clearly not safe"

The only "safety" problem here is reckless power boaters.

If this guy was killed, the driver should expect a manslaughter charge.
- Larry, Derry, NH

Even though he's from Mass I'll stick up for him..... Boating is just like our roadways, Their are a zillion idiots out there. I've almost been hit in my 16 & 21 ftrs . & Unfortunately bringing my Kayak out on busy water is just like Riding my Motorcycle on the roads..... insane. Very Few pay attention, Very few in boats Actually follow the laws. Simple facts of life nowadays.
- bob, auburn

My wife and I were ready to plunk our kayaks in the Connecticut river in Northfield, MA one afternoon, and as we went down the boat launch some woman helping to load a jet-ski onto a trailer actually said as we went by "Oh, great. More kayakers." I didn't realize there was a feud between "power watercrafters" and "non-power watercrafters", but apparantly there is. Sometimes I wonder how many of these "accidents" are really accidents.
- Tim K, Jaffrey

This young man, failed on significant operation of a watercraft. I pull my children on tubes and ski's - I am the driver (responsible for everything and everyone around me) - I then have an audult being the spotter. In CT (not sure about NH), everyone needs to be licensed to operate Watercraft. Let's get him into a class, and understand how serious this could have been. Lucky this ended on a good note - thanks to the Kuyaker's quick thinking!!!
- Mark Plumley, Cranston RI

Where was the Kayaker located? If he was near the shore fine the boater was at fault. But if the kayaker was in the middle of the lake....its clearly not safe There is no need to be there, and I have no sympathy for reckless acts like this. Also if kayakers are expecting to be helped by marine patrol I think we should start requiring them to pay registration fees like all the rest of the people paying to have boats/pwc on the lakes.
- Ben, Manchester

Horace from Salisbury,

I am a WW II historian. Since the PT-109/Amagiri collision is the only recorded collision between a PT boat and a Japanese destroyer in WW II, I don't recall any crew member of the PT-109 named 'Horace'. With that said, the last survivor of the 109, Gerard Zinser, passed away in 2001. Can you elaborate further regarding your comment? What was the number designation of your craft?
- Gene, Hooksett

That's why I carry a flare in my PFD while kayaking. I bet he'd have seen a flare come up right in front of his boat.
- Steve, Derry

I see people like this driving speedboats on Mascoma Lake every single day, and we have not seen the Marine Patrol all Summer. Their reckless operation close to shorelines has significant impact on wildlife, not to mention the landowners whose peace they are disturbing. Most of these boat operators are joyriders who trailer their boat from outside the area, and could care less about their impact. Whereas the landowners have to pay significant tax dollars for their lakeside homes, only to have their enjoyment of it diminished my morons. This 17 year old needs a lesson, and to be made an example of.
- Tim Lenihan, Enfield

OK Glenn - "can't break a kayak in half" "can't dive deep" "no need to go to the hospital" after almost getting run down by a boat???
let's put you in a Kayak with a boat bearing down on you and see how you fare. Do you really think you have such a vast life experiance that you can judge this to be implausible....
- TJ, Concord

Glenn...do you realize that wood kayaks will split in two if rammed by a boat? Also, where does it say he was wearing a life vest? The boat did indeed get hit, which means that the boater didn't move to avoid hitting the kayak. Hmnnnn. You should actually think before you write.
- Bill, Dunbarton

To Glenn of Pelham,

You are an a@s to think you can not break a kayak in half. And who said he was wearing a life jacket? I only wear mine on the ocean and keep it close by when on the lake. So chances are he did dive deep. And the person driving the boat obviously did NOT move out of the way in fear of damaging his boat. I'm sure his eyes were not always looking forward. I suppose this is just a totally made up story that even the police went along with. I have a feeling your not much older than the boy driving the boat.
- RC, Bedford

If the crash involved a car and a bicycle, would the incident remain under investigation? The driver would be cited for speeding, driving to endanger, and a host of other offenses.

The young man driving the boat needs a refresher course in boating safety and lesson in common courtesy. When towing a water-skier, there should be a spotter so the boat captain can keep his focus on the water ahead of him, where it belongs, rather than the skier behind him.

As an avid kayaker, I am always more aware of the power boaters out on the water than they are of me. (No wake zones can be a joke if the harbor patrol isn't nearby.)

The kayaker should be sure to replace his boat with a bright color that is highly visible from a distance. (My boat is bright yellow and hard to miss.) Wear a referee-type whistle on a lanyard or tie it to the shoulder of your boat coat.

Always think: Safety first on the water.
- Seacoast kayaker, Portsmouth

What the heck is a 17 year old doing behind the wheel of a speedboat? Any adults on board?

Mr. Horace - Thank You!
- Rick, Hampton

I see this all the time, small boat fishing or paddling, large boat speeding, not slowing down or giving the smaller boat the right away. Time to get tough with the existing rules on the books.
- Andy, Dover

Knott shouldn't be allowed behind the wheel - of any sort of vehicle... if he's not paying attention to where he's going on the water I'm sure he's doing the same on land and it's only a matter of time before he's involved in a far more serious accident. I'd prefer to not encounter him on the road. He's truly lucky that his stupidity and complete lack of respect didn't kill Younkie.
- Rose, Manchester

This is the kind of incident the boating laws were intended to stop. The driver should be ticketed for his actions and be thankful he isn't being charged for homicide. The speed limit law, set to expire at the end of next year, indeed should expire, but the words that surround the law about boater responsibility should not. Fast and safe is fine. Being stupid while pulling a skier is not!
- Bill, Moultonborough

Sounds utterly implausible.

You can't generally break a kayak in half, nor can you "dive deep" with a life jacket on, and you can move a kayak a few feet faster than you can dive out of it. The people in the boat would have stopped even if in the wrong as their boat would be damaged too, and there is little cause to go to a hospital for taking a swim.

Not exactly a well presented story, sorry if facts matter. Go fish.
- Glenn, Pelham

Smart Kayaker - I would not have thought to dive under the boat. Glad he's ok.
- MS, Hooksett

Charges certainly should be filed against the teenager, his license pulled, and payment made to the kayaker for the destruction of his kayak.
- Richard Townhouse, Somersworth, NH