The majority of the replies to this thread are unfounded and probably are based more on speculation than fact. First of all, the person that was struck by the prop was 79 years old and lobstering. This was not the first time this man has been lobstering,and he was a resident of the Keys. This was obviously not the first time this man has been in these waters and I'm sure he knows of the local regulations and the "ways" of the boating community. For this man to be 100 YARDS,not feet, off shore,snorkling for lobster with no flag is a serious mistake on his part. The boat that struck this man can stop EXTREMELY quick at 34.6 mph. And, at 100 YARDS off shore this boater has every right to go this speed,and MUCH faster. If I'm correct(correct me if I'm wrong), Florida law requires boaters to be a minimum of 100 yards off shore in swimming areas,which they were.If the snorklers are going to be near that 100 YARD limit ,GET A FLAG. Twenty bucks for a flag and he's alive today!! Also, the waters of the Keys are,for the most part, extremely clear. If the snorklers had a flag, it would have stuck out like a sore thumb. I'm an avid boater(owned many of them) and diver and I find the fault of the ACCIDENT to be the snorkler's. Had the snorkler had the REQUIRED flag,the accident most likely wouldn't have happened. GET A FLAG and stay ALIVE!!
Oh, and one more thing(bebo), this couldn't be avoided by the boater. He wasn't driving a submarine!!
Also, for those of you that don't know, i boat has a steering wheel,thus making it able to steer clear of the snorklers. Some of you seem to think this was an ocean going tanker with no menuverability. This boat can react on a dime.
Get the flag!! That way we won't have to have a discussion about who's at fault when such a tradgedy occurs....and,yes,i do have feelings for the snorklers.
Of course this is all just IMHO.