I have lived and worked in and around Branson and Table Rock Lake for much of my life.
It hits extremely close to home.
There is no excuse for this tragedy.
None. Zero.
Completely avoidable but the company is cheap... now 17 people are dead.
These damn things need to be banned and if not, they must at the least all be required to make SIGNIFICANT changes... but its too little too late now.
Its disgusting how folks around here are acting like there is nothing anyone could have done.
Yeah - I can't help thinking that this thing was being used in a way much different than designed. My understanding is that it was designed for either river crossings or short landings off of ships. Using it as a pleasure cruiser in the middle of a lake or river with 20 people on board always seemed like it was asking for trouble.
I feel for the people and families. I normally think people are responsible for what they do and too often cry foul when they should have known better. In this case though, I really think they had a reasonable expectation that the vessel was worthy of the task.
And to be honest, that to me is more on the licensing agency than it is on the owners - as long as the owner was operating within the laws. These agencies have far greater assets than some small business owner. They are also charged almost explicitly with protecting the consumer in their licensing. And I'm pissed that so many lost their lives due largely to what I see as government bureaucrats collecting a fee without doing their basic duty.
Sorry - there are few ways to die that I can see being more painful than drowning or burning. Thinking about what these poor people went through is really hitting me. From joy and an expectation for a fun adventure to horror and then a slow death. It just haunts me.
My deepest sympathy to all actually involved.
