Maritime Accident News

Texas Couple Hospitalized After Yacht and Tugboat Collide

A boating accident involving a 50-foot yacht and a tugboat leaves an elderly couple hospitalized after the two watercrafts collide on the Intracoastal Waterway in Louisiana. The incident took place on Monday afternoon, February 8, 2010.

According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the incident sent a Texas man and his wife, both in their 70s, to Lafayette General Medical Center where they were treated for injuries sustained in the boating accident.

According to Capt. Jubal Marceaux, Charles Burt, 72, of Seabrook, Texas, underwent surgery for head injuries. His wife, Sandra Burt, 70, was treated for moderate injuries.

Investigators said that Charles Burt indicated that the boat was on autopilot but he was at the helm at the time of the collision. The tugboat was pushing barges at the time.

Burt was able to moor the yacht despite his injuries. The yacht appeared to have been damaged above the waterline.

“He stated he didn’t even realize what he had hit, but was able to moor the boat back to a dock off the Intracoastal Waterway,” Marceaux said.

Marceaux indicated that the captain of the tugboat was the one that reported the incident to the Coast Guard.

The boating accident is still under investigation by local authorities.

This is an unfortunate accident and our thoughts go out to all of those that have been affected by the incident.

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