Another BUI, by a boat builders employee

Very lucky no one was hurt. Caravelle better hope they didn't serve or pay for the alcohol, although not as critical with no one hurt. But in the event of a death it would have definitely been.

Interesting that no information is given about the passenger, not even the sex. Doesn't even say he/she was injured or ok. Does make you wonder a bit. 11:45, drunk, mystery passenger. Maybe a little late night affair.

Alcohol consumption at company parties, sales meetings and other events can lead to some serious consequences. Of course with time between wreck and arrest, he may try to say the alcohol was consumed after the wreck.

Hi,

Isn't that the truth.

I remember some pretty large out of control gatherings given under the guise of a works party when I was a young fella.

Having not worked in a traditional workshop for many years I was a bit surprised when in 1999 I was wanting a job to be done before Christmas and the boss man told me to pick it up at 1700 on Christmas Eve. I asked if they were not closing early for a party - He told me his insurance wouldn't handle it any more and he gave everyone the equal value gift certs for the local supermarket to all staff instead.

I have since seen the gift cert technique used in a couple of places in lieu of what would have been a bottle of rum or a case of beer years ago.

20 years ago when I was in a traditional business, we eliminated all such parties. We'd have a simple luncheon at the office. Biggest single problem in company parties was drunken spouses. We already had a travel policy where we paid for food and non-alcoholic beverage but not for alcoholic. But that left sales meetings and sales people entertaining. 10 years ago I turned our sales meetings dry. It was extreme and something I tried to avoid. But they were in a facility representing our company, being paid for by us, and someone would always do something offensive. Just takes one. Typical, get drunk and harass and try to pick up employees. And just to know, I do drink but never in a business setting and never drive anything with doing so. Belle and I occasionally will celebrate with champagne.

My guess the information on the passenger is withheld to protect the guilty.

But great new Caravelle advertisement hitting soon.

Caravelle Powerboats
The Tough Boat Company

We've proven you can take our boat, smash through a dock, destroy a boathouse and the boat in it and continue on your way as if nothing happened, back to the boat ramp, back on the trailer, and on your way. We have the photos of the crime scene to prove it. Then look at how well our boat looks on the trailer after.

Proven to be Tough

I'm guessing that Caravelle fired him the next morning..I hope he has the sense not to apply to another boat company! I'm just wondering how drunk or stupid you have to be to go out on a dark lake, with a passenger no less, and probably with no local knowledge.

He was there for no other reason than as an employee of the company. Therefore he was acting for the company under their supervision. Firing him is nothing more than closing the barn door after the horses escaped. The company is extremely lucky that nobody was hurt.

Yes, he could say whatever he wants. He may even blame the accident on an epileptic seziure, or another medical condition. Even if he made it home, they would still charge him if they found him drunk. Good luck convincing a judge or jury that reasonable doubt exists based on your story after tearing through two piers and a boathouse and being pulled over driving a car drunk shortly thereafter.

As to the mysterious passenger.. Why do you find it so suspicious?

Is it regular practice in your area to make public the information about every passenger, in accidents with no injuries, without the passenger themselves being charged with a crime? If so, send a link to your local paper

Well, I was just talking proving the drunk, but you have a point on proving who was driving. Sounds like that must have been admitted though. I don't see him getting out of any of it. Now, had he rushed to a bar and started downing shots, the intoxication might have been impossible to prove.

Unless the company liquored him up and sent him boating I don't see how this really should reflect on them at all. I see how it will, but think that it shouldn't. Form and GM and the other car makers have employees who drive drunk. It's a stupid thing that people do way too often, a boat manufacturer with an employee that goes boating drunk is basically in the same boat. They should fire him, and that should be that for their involvement.

I wouldn't bank on that, and I doubt a smart lawyer would suggest they even try.

Well, first the company is liable as owner of the boat. So as to damages, it's their liability.

Beyond that basic liability is the question of who paid for the alcohol. If they had an open bar or allowed him to charge it to them, then their fault does increase.

Never even mind who paid for the alcohol. He was a company employee, at a boat show, demonstrating a company boat. Great advertising gimmick. Just look at all the press coverage they got. I can just imagine their new tag line: 'This boat can run through docks and boathouses and the driver can walk away (if he's drunk enough)'. I mean it costs a lot of money to get that kind of press.

I think the company probably started writing checks and the CEO started wearing a hoody and Halloween mask, the next morning.

Hi,

I think the term is plagiarism - This was posted by Olderboater in No 6 of this thread.

I grant Nycap permission....

Thank you olderboater. Obviously I missed your post.
Plagiarism, wow. Strong. Didn't know we were writing such serious stuff here. Guess I should ask YF for pay or a degree or something for my posts (at least the ones I don't steal).