Posted on 10/09/2008 9:11:36 PM PDT by BGHater
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A married couple riding in a boat in the Intracoastal Waterway got an unexpected guest this morning when a dolphin leaped onto their boat and slid onto their laps.
The woman, Barbara Howard of Mansfield, Ohio, was brought ashore at an Edgewater boat ramp and taken to Bert Fish Medical Center, where she was listed in stable condition this afternoon, Coast Guard officials said. Her husband, Norman Howard, 64, also was hospitalized for some scrapes and bruises but has since been released.
The incident occurred about 10:40 a.m. near the North Causeway in New Smyrna Beach, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class Jason Moats. The county's Regional Communications Center received several 911 calls from witnesses who told the dispatchers about a dolphin jumping out of the water and hitting a woman in a boat.
The Coast Guard was called but patrols were unable to find the boat in the Intracoastal or any of the New Smyrna Beach area boat ramps. Moats said the Coast Guard finally found the couple in Edgewater after getting a call from one of the witnesses.
The Howards were riding in an 18-foot, center console boat with their daughter Laura Hall, 39, and her boyfriend Montie Henderson, 47, both of Edgewater. They were traveling just under the bridge when a dolphin, estimated at 8-10 feet long and about 400 pounds, jumped about 6 feet in the air and landed across the bow of the boat. The momentum of the boat and the dolphin's leap caused it to slide over the bow and land on the laps of Norman and Barbara, who were sitting on the seat in front of the console.
Norman said he saw the dolphin coming out of the corner of his eye, but everything happened too quickly to react. "The next thing I knew, a big old fish was on top of me," he said.
According to Norman he managed to push the dolphin off himself and his wife but the thrashing tail knocked them to the deck of the boat. Barbara caught most of the impact in her chest, while Norman received some scrapes and bruises.
"I got a few good punches. Mike Tyson could not hit that hard," he said.
Henderson was able to roll the dolphin, still lying across the front of the boat, back into the water.
Barbara Howard was conscious when found, Moats said, and was transported to the hospital on a non-emergency basis.
I am speechless.
Guess flipper wanted a ride.....
I saw dolphins jumping in the wake of the carrier when I was on board... but this is a first I have heard of one landing in a boat.
These dolphins are a menace to society. They must be Stopped!
sounds fishy to me..... (ugh sorry that was bad.)
I hate it when that happens.
very silly.... the write of that post should be sacked.... along with Harry the wonder Llama... :)
I wonder what kind of bait she was using.
If it was a fast boat,and they made a quick turn it could happen. Dolphins (actually they are porpoises, but thats another story..) Love to ride in the wake
What about ‘arold? “arold the sheep?
I could see that happening.... Was her response “holy Mackrel?”
or the moose that bit my sister....
Ohhhhh!!!! Thats aweful!
Are you fishing for laughs? ;)
/mark
Dolphins don’t hurt people, only boats hurt people.
Even the DOLPHINS at New Smyrna Beach are dangerous.
I have heard of a seawolf but a seamoose?
he he he did you take the bait! ;)
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