3 Texas Boy Scouts shocked by power line on deadly sailing outing. 11-year-old clings to life.

And aboard a catamaran in an alcove called Alley Creek, two teens with Eagle Scout distinction were mentoring an 11-year-old troop member on how to sail.

For a while, all was well on the water. Then suddenly the catamaran caught fire, and the scouts onshore were shouting for help.

This really hits hard. Two Eagle Scouts dead, and the 11 year old scout they were teaching to sail, in critical condition.
https://www.news-journal.com/news/2017/aug/06/community-mourns-teen-boy-scouts-at-vigil/



Lake of The Pines well developed Corps of Engineers reservoir lake in East Texas.

https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?ID=M205850

https://www.recreation.gov/recreati...RSO&recAreaId=497&agencyCode=130

I don't know that lake, and the details that have been published are limited, so I'll wait to hear more information from locals.

It does seems unlikely that such a busy lake would have power lines running across it.

Press release from Texas Parks and Wildlife
https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20170806a

I was thinking it was unlikely there were power transmission lines over the water but there are.

At the North end of the lake there is a bridge for TX highway 155 and just South of the bridge there are power lines.

Reports did mention that the Scouts were having a weekend at a private residence located on the North end of the lake.

I'd seen the earlier stories, they didn't mention that it was a sailboat, but that certainly makes the most sense. Such a horrible thing to happen. Thoughts and prayers to their families and friends.

Mike

I scrolled around that lake on google maps / satellite and stopped about 2/3 the way around - I counted at least four places that power lines cross coves and could easily create an issue like this one in that cove. The poles supporting the wires ashore look to be relatively short from the satellite view. There are a number power line hazards on that lake and judging from a few submerged roads, I suppose those power lines may have been in place before the lake was flooded to full pond or something.

This is in the cove mentioned above
https://goo.gl/maps/PWcM8mXQfX32

more:
https://goo.gl/maps/xNaKz1jCJNn

these are over pretty shallow water:
https://goo.gl/maps/8hmadAD72VP2

Probably the ones Damon linked to:
https://goo.gl/maps/uqNrJjb3KD12

These are really accessible:
https://goo.gl/maps/MUbHz3ghNZC2

I read an article this afternoon that specifically said catamaran.

And aboard a catamaran in an alcove called Alley Creek, two teens with Eagle Scout distinction were mentoring an 11-year-old troop member on how to sail.

For a while, all was well on the water. Then suddenly the catamaran caught fire, and the scouts onshore were shouting for help.

I will be (sadly) interesting to see if they were on a Hobie 16 with a "non-conducting" comp tip.

Agree with this.

editorial

That's terrible. Although having taught junior sailing growing up, it's amazing there aren't more junior sailing fatalities - getting caught in the sheets under water, run over by the instructor powerboat, etc.

I agree with the author and am happy that there is legislation to regulate the height of power lines. Sadly those in question were placed there before this rule.

But I am concerned that this area in question is used by the Boy Scout troop regularly for sailing with the known hazard that close and not clearly designated as a "no-go" area?

Of course, it may be fine 99% of the time, but unusually high water levels brought the mast in contact with the lines..

I recall an A-cat regatta where someone wheeled their boat into a power line at a rigging area. Spooky but no one was killed if I remember correctly?