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Darwin Awards
2008 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
Should I include it in the archive?
Vote to tell me what *you* think!

Sleepy Boater on Auto Pilot

2007 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

My neighbor's pride and joy is (was) a 35' Grady White fishing boat. A beautiful vessle with all the amenities, including an ice maker good for preparing cocktails while on the high seas.

On November 15, Doug was returning to Dana Point Harbor in California from Catalina Island, about 30 miles away. At some point on his return he felt a little sleepy, no doubt helped along by several Vodka cocktails. So of course he decided to take a little nap. He could have dropped anchor or just cut the motor and drifted while he slumbered. But that would delay his arrival home and cause some problems with the Missus.

So before he went "nighty-night", Doug had the presence of mind to set the autopilot. And it worked splendidly as it plowed ahead straight for Dana Point Harbor and home. Only problem is there is large jetty that protects the harbor which Doug remembered as his $225,000 boat slammed into it, and his face into the windshield, at full speed.

The Harbor Patrol tried to pull the boat off the rocks but couldn't budge it. So Doug was obliged to contract a marine salvage company the following day at a significant cost. They were able to eventually pull the boat off the jetty but due to the several large holes in it's hull, it immediately sank.

Submitted on 12/19/2007

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: http://www.ocregister.com/news/wilson-boat-dana-1925831-vessel-assist

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
This guy is lucky he ran his boat into a jetty and not another boat or he'd likely be facing manslaughter charges. Setting an autopilot in a boat then falling asleep is the height of stupidity. It's basically a slow-speed version of setting your cars cruise control and then taking a nap. Thanks for sending this in.


Shadow said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
we should insert "I've got that sinking feeling" in here somewhere anyway I agree definite stupidity and very lucky he lost the boat and not his life or killed someone else!


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