Boaters: How often do you encounter partially submerged logs or “deadheads”?

[u/Ecstatic-Ability5242]

Hi everyone,

I’m a UBC Mechanical Engineering student working with a team on a design project focused on deadheads, meaning floating or partially submerged logs that can create a collision hazard for boats.

Our project is specifically looking at coastal British Columbia, but I’d be interested in experiences from anywhere, especially if this is also a problem in your area.

I’m hoping to hear from boaters about things like:

• How often you encounter floating or partially submerged logs
• Where you tend to see them and under what conditions
• Whether you’ve ever hit one or had a close call
• How difficult they are to spot, especially at speed, at night, in waves, or poor weather
• Any damage or safety issues you’ve experienced
• What you currently do if you see one
• Whether there is any system in your area for reporting or warning others about them
• What you think could be improved about how these hazards are detected, reported, prevented, or removed
• If a better system existed, what would you actually want it to do?
• Any ideas for potential solutions, even if they seem unconventional

We’re still at the problem-definition stage, so we’re not trying to push any particular solution. We’re mainly trying to understand what boaters actually experience and what would be useful.

Even short responses like “I see them all the time but have never hit one” or “I hit one once and damaged my prop” would be really helpful.

Thanks!

[u/Capital-Macaroon-769]

I've hit one 25 miles off ocean city Maryland. Blew the transom out of my boat. I reported it to the uscg but no one seemed to care. It was glass calm day, not even a ripple on the ocean and we were headed east and couldn't see what we hit even after the impact until the tree moved a little under the water.

[u/Blakesdad02 → u/Capital-Macaroon-769]

My family's first boat ( 1982) ,25' Sea Ray decided to take to OC for a week of fishing in the morning, family cruises in PM. First day engine overheats at Jackspot. Coast Guard rescues us. Mechanic pulls out a plastic ice bag from heat exchange. $500 later were good. Third day arrive at Boatel, theft of all of our fish rods. Fifth day we're on a family outing, coming through inlet, hit something, ( turned out to be a 10' section of rogue pipe from dredging vessel) ripped off our out drive. Throw anchor, CG call again to rescue. ( Amusing part, exact same team who rescued us from Jackspot, " Hey we know you") Now were beyond pissed. Had a meeting with Dale Timmons of Coastal Fisherman suggested we lawyer up, we did. Long and short sued Army Corp of Engineers, won $12 k for our losses. Have never taken boat back to OC 🫣