elwestb
Well-known member
What was the deal? I didn't understand? How were they stuck for 16 hrs.? above the dam?
Watts Bar pontoon boats stuck ?
- Thread starter elwestb
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rsimms
Well-known member
There was "confusion" by some reporters writing stories who have no comprehension of tailwaters vs. lakes and turbines and all that stuff. emoDoh
Boats were apparently tied together at turbines when turbines came on.... violent water forced them back into the turbine holes (like happened to Spurhunter and EricM once).
I spoke with Sheriff Neal. He was unclear why none of the three boat motors would run... or if perhaps the occupants were simply to scared to try and "run out" over the boils. If you don't know how that stuff works, it would be a frightening proposition. But those details were unclear.
Plus he told me that cell phone service went out in their area for many hours at about the time that happened. Between that and difficulty in seeing boats back in turbine holes.... it was a LONG time before they could call out for help.
The sheriff said they actually did get one earlier call out that got routed to Knoxville 911. They relayed sketchy information of a "disabled boat on Watts Bar." Sheriff's patrol prowled the lake for three hours Friday evening, but obviously didn't locate anything.
The disabled boats finally reached the Rhea 911 center about 4 am and were able to describe their exact situation.
AThornton
Well-known member
Scary accident for all involved I am sure. It was a church group from Kentucky if I am not mistaken. I'm sure many prayers were said that evening, and thankfully, He answered them!
Davo
Well-known member
Man, that would really suck.
elwestb
Well-known member
Ok, thanks Richard. I thought they were above the dam. I heard someone say they were stuck in the turbines but I thought that was just wrong! But wasn't it like 15 hrs. or so? You mean no one was fishing the boils for that long to see them? Oh well!?
SpurHunter
Well-known member
Good grief!!!! If you dont know how a dam works, you have no biz being tied up to one in the first place. I am curious to hear the real story on this, how can all three boats motors not run?? Next time, they need to hire the "Bang Brothers" (Spur & EricM) to "guide" them in their Dam Excursion. emoBigsmile
rsimms
Well-known member
BIG emoBigsmile
elwestb
Well-known member
...I didn't know you could get a pontoon inside a turbine?
SpurHunter
Well-known member
Its like stunt-men. Its not that they dont fall down, they just know how to fall with "grace'.. emoBigsmile
