Water Taxi Capsizes

1
Water Taxi Capsizes

• Courtney Baker
• Central Michigan University
• Information cited from www.cnn.com

2
Details

• March 6th, 2004 _at_ 415 pm
• Harbor area of Baltimore, Maryland
• Total Passengers 25
• Water Temperature- 46 degrees

3
Passengers Actions

• The water taxi was attempting to tie up
• The passengers tried to escape and climb on top
  of the taxi
• Two managed to do so

4
Cause of the Capsized raft

• Unknown
• Theory high winds cased the raft to overturn
• A storm front was passing through about a mile SE
  when the accident occurred
• Winds reached 50 mph

5
Rescue Attempts

• 22 passengers were rescued
• 4 had serious injuries
• All were hospitalized
• 1 later passed away in the hospital
• 3 missing- presumed dead

6
Causes of Death

• Drowning
• Hypothermia

7
Investigation

• Full National Transportation Safety Board
  Investigation is under way
• Reviewing
• Boats records
• Training of the crew
• Safety record of operator

8
On the scene

• Witnesses watched the boat overturn
• Immediately help was called
• Searching for the passengers
• Divers
• Rescue Boats
• Helicopters

9
Purpose of Water Taxis

• Carry passengers around the coast
• Tourist attraction
• Do not run in storms
• If one occurs they are to immediately tie up

Picture of a functioning water taxi
10
Likeliness of accident

• Uncommon
• The water taxi company (Seaport Taxi) has been in
  business for over 10 years
• First accident to ever occur