another Darwin Award candidate

[John Jones]

but he could not just do himself in...

(DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala.) - The entire island is without power, and it's not due to Isaac's heavy rains or gusting winds.

A boater had to be rescued last night trying to sail in incredibly choppy conditions.

The sailboat with sails still raised had to be abandoned, but the ship somehow managed to sail itself.

The boat sailed down past condominiums near the base of the Dauphin Island Bridge, and ran into the power line that supplies the entire island with electricity.

After busting one of the lines, the ship somehow managed to turn itself around and start sailing back into the open waters of the Gulf.

Crews have been working to try and corral the boat to keep it from doing any more damage.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Dauphin Island Causeway has been closed to all traffic, and police will be enforcing a curfew from 8:00 pm until 6:00 pm.

video
http://www.local15tv.com/news/local/sto ... 9Ro5Q.cspx

[Blue Agave]

The authorities should have sank it in the Gulf. They could have named it Dumbass Reef.

[John Jones]

The did anchor it with what they had on hand.  It was on it's side in 3' of water when they left it.

[wingtime]

Wow I read they will be without power until at least Thursday?  How much does that cost to repair the power line over the water, lost revenue for the power company due to the lines being down.  Lost revenue for the businesses on the island,  cost of the police to enforce the curfew etc etc...  me thinks his insurance is gonna come up a tad short.  

[Aswaff400]

Wow I read they will be without power until at least Thursday?  How much does that cost to repair the power line over the water, lost revenue for the power company due to the lines being down.  Lost revenue for the businesses on the island,  cost of the police to enforce the curfew etc etc...  me thinks his insurance is gonna come up a tad short.  

bruce, remember, they are talking about a blow boater...
me thinks he has no insurance
if he does, its the cheapest most basic coverage...
but like everything else, leave it for the tax payer to pickup the tab

[John Jones]

I don't think the old man will be welcome on the island after the locals go a couple of days without power.