Staged Collisions Project

NASBLA Staged Collisions Project

NASBLA Staged Collisions Project by CAPT. James E. Getz Illinois Conservation Police (Ret.) Project Coordinator Presented at the annual NASBLA conference September 9, 2008

The primary purpose for this project is to answer that age-old question…

NASBLA Boating Accident Investigation Training
1987: U.L. introduces “Intermediate” course
1989: UL conducts staged collisions
1997: UL introduces “Advanced” course
1999: UL conducts staged collisions
2000: NASBLA re-engineers the program
Comprehensive: all facets
Advanced: primarily collision reconstruction
2007: NASBLA conducts staged collisions..

1989 & 1999 Staged Collisions
One moving vessel & one stationary vessel
Photographic & video documentation
Collision vessels used in training law enforcement officers
G-force data acquisition
1999 collisions only
Analysis not funded..

NASBLA Staged Collisions Project
Two moving vessels
Photographic & video documentation
GPS & ECU documentation
Collision vessels to be used in training law enforcement officers
G-force data acquisition & analysis..

NASBLA Staged Collisions Continuing Project Partners
USCG
VA DGIF
MSWP
TN WRA
Boat-US
Miles Beam
Todd & Assoc.
DRE, Inc.
NSWCCD
U VA / CAB..

Boat Donations Were Solicited
New and used boats
Engines must be in good running condition
Trailers must be road-worthy
Requests for donation went out to:
NASBLA member agencies
Bombardier, Brunswick, Genmar, & Yamaha
Boat-US Foundation for Boating Safety
Mercury Marine offered outboard engines..

Donated Boats
Industry – 1 boat and 2 engines
Triumph Boats – New center console
Mercury Marine - Test engines
U.S. Coast Guard – 3 boats
2 test boats
1 new boat
NASBLA members – 5 boats
Used patrol boats (FL, VA, DC)
Boat-US members – 12 boats
Really used boats
Dick Snyder – 1 boat..

All boats are outfitted with remote controlled steering & throttle.

Photo documentation of existing damage precedes each collision.

Each Vessel is Identified
Collision date
Vessel #
Collision #
Vessel Description

and photographed…extensively

Existing damage was documented,

and documented.

Longitudinal CG is determined

GPS instrumentation is installed on each vessel 1 – MaxQGPS (5 Hz) 2 – Garmin GPS (1 Hz)

Data instrumentation is installed on the deck of each boat to measure…
Roll
Pitch
Yaw
G-forces
at the boat’s CG.

We experimented with camcorders on some of the boats.

We attempted to provide adequate protection for our boat operators, but that didn’t work.

So, other volunteers were solicited as boat operators.

The daily routine starts.

Final preparations are made for a day on the water.

Everyone had specific assignments
Chris Moore was in charge of drinks
He was a good provider!

The still and movie cameras are ready, and the high speed cameras are ready.

Test runs are conducted… and the boats are staged.

We aim for the mark… and marvel at the results.

After the collision… instrumentation is removed,

On-site photos are taken, and the boats are towed back to the trailers for transport.

Back on shore, the collision damage is documented…

and documented…

and documented… and documented.

At the end of each day, a final review is conducted by the forensic team…

And our boat operators rest for their next assignment.

The End NOT! The second round of staged collisions is scheduled for this fall. This is only the beginning!

Next, we are going to test some long-standing theories Such as one of the most perplexing questions…

What happens when you swallow bubble gum?

Questions?

Staged Collisions Project

by NASBLA

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Staged Collisions Project Presentation Transcript