Boat Ramp Disaster

[Nathanvg]

Below is a rare video of a tow vehicle going down the ramp and sinking. I know these events happen from time to time but how they happen never seems to be well explained. Maybe this group can better explain but my thoughts below.

This example has a couple clear factors:

• The ramp was slick, due to low tide
• The jeep was likely over it's towing capacity.

Maybe that is all there is to it but that would have to be a really slick ramp, especially since the boat was at least partially floating and therefore was not pulling hard on the jeep. Things that are less clear include:

• Is it just me or does the trailer appear to be floating? From 43-59 seconds in the video the back of the trailer appears to float to the left several feet. If the transom tie down straps were in use that would make sense but watching the video it seems clear straps were not in use. I can't explain the floating but if the trailer was floating, it could have lifted the rear of the jeep reducing traction. Maybe the M shaped hull somehow got caught on those bunks.
• Some of the you tube comments reference a failed clutch (or other drivetrain component) which is possible. Unfortunately the video isn't clear enough to tell if the wheels are spinning backwards, forwards or locked at that point but I suppose it's possible the driver was slow to hit the break once the car started going backwards.
• The driver leaves the vehicle and the car rolls again. It's clear the front wheel spins which I think is clear evidence that only the front wheels were holding the jeep at that point and letting off the break resulted in the final failure. It's also possible that the driver's weight was keeping the back wheels on the ground but once he exited they floated and since they were the only locked wheels, the jeep rolled.

 

[Lou C]

Operator error all over the place there. When he first stopped the boat was in far enough to back it off. All he had to do was leave it in gear engine off set the parking brake and put a chock behind the wheel.

 

[BWR1953]

That was funny!

 

[Stinnett21]

Looks like he didn't have it gear. You can hear it rev but nothing was spinning at least on left side. Also rear brake apparently didn't work.

 

[robert graham]

A public boat ramp is a very special place….I’ve often thought of making a movie about these misadventures….maybe call it “Ramp Fever” or “Clowns at the Ramp” or similar…

 

[JASinIL2006]

I’m not sure if that occurrence (or videos of same) are all that rare… unfortunately.

 

[Nathanvg]

I’m not sure if that occurrence (or videos of same) are all that rare… unfortunately.

As far as I know video of the aftermath are common but rolling down the ramp is rare.

 

[GA_Boater]

In this case no boats were harmed while making this video. Can't say the Jeep fired right up

 

[matt167]

The guy that made the video, hangs out at the ramp weekly to watch the show that unfolds.

 

[Mark ofs]

Looks to me like it was the slippery ramp...that combined with the "wide" tires on the jeep...means no traction for the jeep, and even a guy falls just trying to walk down the ramp. Those tires are good for sand and mud, but are bad on wet pavement. Did appear the boat held the jeep up as the back of the jeep didn't fully go under until the driver cranked the winch down...bad ending to a probably a great day, that's too bad.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Before you use any ramp you should inspect it, pay close attention to any slime at low tide. Avoid the slime at all costs, wait for a higher tide to keep the tow tires on the dry area.
back down slowly using you parking brake and foot brake . set out the chock, and load or unload
A full size Chevy truck floats for 6 minutes then sinks to the bottom

 

[KJM]

When towing the jeep up out of the water the owner got right behind the jeep, if that rope let go he would likely have been killed. Could have ended much worse.

 

[Hoppi84]

So you leave your vehicle in gear and parking brake when launching?? I've always put it in park with parking brake but I hope to never have this occur.

 

[GA_Boater]

So you leave your vehicle in gear and parking brake when launching?? I've always put it in park with parking brake but I hope to never have this occur.

I can't find PARK in my manual tranny.

 

[Hoppi84]

I'm a idiot. Never crossed my mind being a manual.

 

[Sprig]

The driver made numerous errors/mistakes that caused the disaster. The boat was still attached to the front bow stop of the trailer. It was the weight of the boat and trailer that dragged the Jeep back into the water. The flotation of the boat attached to the boat lighted the weight of the rear of the Jeep and in not being able to stop. He should have detached the bow strap when the trailer wheels were in the water and before the rear Jeep wheels entered the water.
Next he backed the Jeep to far into the water. He didn’t try to stop the Jeep before the rear wheels were almost completely under water.
Looks like the ramp was slippery/slimy and played a part in the Jeep not being able to stop. He should have taken that into account when launching.
The tires on the Jeep were very aggressive and not great traction on surfaces like he was on.
I’m sure that boat and trailer exceeded the vehicle tow capacity.
Getting between the boat and Jeep as it was sliding as beyond stupid.
I could go on but I’ll just add the park ranger that was there was totally useless.

 

[GA_Boater]

What do you expect the Ranger to do? Ask if anyone is hurt and call for a tow, that's about all he can do.

 

[Sprig]

What do you expect the Ranger to do? Ask if anyone is hurt and call for a tow, that's about all he can do.

He should have taken control of the situation, been a leader. He stood there with a dumb look on his face just watching. He could have had a rope or tow strap and attached it to the Jeep and the back of his car to stop the Jeep from sliding further. (left his car top of the short ramp on dry ground and hooked it up). If he didn’t have rope he should have asked people around there if they did. He should have jumped in and helped the guy detach the boat from the trailer or if too dangerous tried to get the guy out of the water away from danger. Should have got the crowd off the dock. Should have been on the radio almost immediately requesting assistance.
I don’t know what his background is or what his training is but I know from being in LE you quickly assess and take control of a situation, especially when you are the only authority there.

 

[Vintin]

I drive a 96 Dodge 4x4 diesel and I always back down and pull out of the ramp in 4x4. I like the front tires on solid non slippery pavement!

 

[poconojoe]

That boat was way too big for that little jeep.
The winch strap was still connected to the boat! Duh!