3 boaters relying on GPS injured when they hit rocks

[MinnesotaBoatman]

It keeps happening:

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1309862.html

Three people relying on a Global Positioning Satellite navigation system were injured early today when the boat they were in struck a rock formation and an island on Lake Vermilion in northern Minnesota, the St. Louis County Sheriff said.

The injured people, all from the Chicago area, were taken to Virginia Regional Medical Center with nonlife threatening injuries, the sheriff said.

The accident happened at 2 a.m. in Everett Bay near the Fortune Bay Casino.

It is the fourth boating accident this year in St. Louis County in which the primary cause was reliance on a GPS unit for navigation, the sheriff said

[SledNeck]

Ive been fishing on vermilion forever and I still dont ride around after dark.

It seems like everybody in the "Following GPS and crashes boat" stories is from Illinois.

[Mr. Pike1]

This explains the seen I witnessed this morning while bass fising in Everrets bay. I saw two of the boats and the area circled off by Sherrif.

[Mr. Pike1]

This explains the seen I witnessed this morning while bass fising in Everrets bay. I saw two of the boats and the area circled off by Sherrif.

[311Hemi]

Just curious....but does anyone know what they hit and if it is marked on any maps or GPS maps? Was this underwater structure or sticking out of the water?

Not that it really matters, but I always wonder if the people in these accidents are looking at the lake outline that comes with the GPS, or if they are actually following tracks made earlier.....or paying attention on a map where they are at and knowing the surrounding a bit.

[heartattack22]

Both instances they hit islands.

[311Hemi]

Well.....I would have to assume that these islands and the surrounding depths are on maps and no attention was paid to either. Also assume if they had mapping software on the GPS this would have been avoided in both situations (if they were paying attention).

Not condoning doing this....but by the sounds of it they were flying blind. The only exception to what I say above is if they were following a pre-tracked route and the route was off by 60-120 ft...possibly both ways. Even then....why cut shorelines that close when making a track during the day unless you have to. And if you have to....obviously slow down.

I don't know the exact area of the lake....